Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and Musicals - Hardcover

Scott Miller

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1555537421 ISBN 13: 9781555537425

Publisher: Northeastern University Press, 2011

Synopsis

Eager to respond to the concerns and tastes of the increasingly influential baby-boomer generation, musical theater in the late 1960s began to embrace formerly taboo subjects-including the triumvirate of postwar social change: sex, drugs, and rock & roll. Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and Musicals shows how American culture has changed over the twentieth century, from the Roaring Twenties (The Wild Party) to the cultural chaos of the '50s (Grease) and the sexual revolution of the '60s (Hair) and '70s (Rocky Horror), to the rebirth of the art form in the '90s (Bat Boy), and up to the present, exploring where we've been and where we might be heading. This is a celebration of the counter-culture taking center stage in the most American of performing arts, and changing it forever.

About this title

Review:

"Ferocious theatrical intelligence."--American Theatre "Ferocious theatrical intelligence." American Theatre "The writing is compelling, whether you've seen the shows or not. Miller backs up his assertions with copious quotes from writers, actors, critics, lyrics and historians. In addition to everything else this book accomplishes, it functions as historical writing and an examination of morality."--Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch "Miller offers insightful commentary and perspectives on shows that all began as experimental and intensely challenging works, although some, such as Grease, Hair, and Jesus Christ Superstar, have in some ways entered the mainstream. Throughout, he challenges directors to return these shows to their subversive, groundbreaking roots and implores audiences to recognize the transgressive power inherent in musical theater."--Notes

About the Author:

SCOTT MILLER is the founder and artistic director of New Line Theatre, an alternative musical theater company in St. Louis, Missouri, and he has been writing, performing in, and directing musicals since 1981. He has written a number of books on musical theater, including Strike Up the Band, Let the Sun Shine In, Rebels with Applause, Deconstructing Harold Hill, and From Assassins to West Side Story.

About this edition

• Publisher: Northeastern University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1555537421
• ISBN 13: 9781555537425
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 288