Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Instructor: Marc Strauss
Dates:Thursdays, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Zoom
For as long as there have been entertaining musicals in the United States, edifying political commentary has often played a secondary or subliminal role in the art form. For every frivolous Cats (1981) there is an intense Hamilton (2015), matchmaking Hello, Dolly! (1964) a historically relevant 1776 (1969), flippant Funny Face (1927) a satirical Of Thee I Sing (1931). Even in shows that are ostensibly all about fun—say, Irving Berlin’s 1933 As Thousands Cheer, with songs and sketches loosely based on news of the rich and famous—the somber “Supper Time” tells the story of a woman making dinner for a husband who will never return home…from his lynching. In the hyper-energetic, feel-good musical Hairspray (2002), “I Know Where I’ve Been” sings of the long fight for racial equality.
During this five-week course, Marc Strauss, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Conservatory of Theatre and Dance, Southeast Missouri State University, will introduce, show DVD and YouTube videos, and lead discussion on a host of songs and dances from American musicals across eras and regions that seriously address cultural and political issues. During our country’s 250th year in 2026, the course will culminate with the showing and analysis of the Peter H. Hunt-directed Hollywood film 1776, from 1972—created as a lead-up to our 200th anniversary in 1976—written by Peter Stone with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Instructor: Marc Strauss
Dates:Thursdays, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Zoom
For as long as there have been entertaining musicals in the United States, edifying political commentary has often played a secondary or subliminal role in the art form. For every frivolous Cats (1981) there is an intense Hamilton (2015), matchmaking Hello, Dolly! (1964) a historically relevant 1776 (1969), flippant Funny Face (1927) a satirical Of Thee I Sing (1931). Even in shows that are ostensibly all about fun—say, Irving Berlin’s 1933 As Thousands Cheer, with songs and sketches loosely based on news of the rich and famous—the somber “Supper Time” tells the story of a woman making dinner for a husband who will never return home…from his lynching. In the hyper-energetic, feel-good musical Hairspray (2002), “I Know Where I’ve Been” sings of the long fight for racial equality.
During this five-week course, Marc Strauss, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Conservatory of Theatre and Dance, Southeast Missouri State University, will introduce, show DVD and YouTube videos, and lead discussion on a host of songs and dances from American musicals across eras and regions that seriously address cultural and political issues. During our country’s 250th year in 2026, the course will culminate with the showing and analysis of the Peter H. Hunt-directed Hollywood film 1776, from 1972—created as a lead-up to our 200th anniversary in 1976—written by Peter Stone with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards