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Musical Theatre and Theatre With Music

Content in this section explores the popular art form of musical theatre and theatre works that integrate music in other ways. You’ll find thoughts and conversations from artists, articles about contemporary and historical works, and performance videos. The #MusicalsWeek series is a great place to begin, as is “The Black in Black Musical Theatre” episode of the Daughters of Lorraine podcast.

The Latest

Opening the Channel with Masi Asare
Podcast
Opening the Channel with Masi Asare
by Masi Asare, Leticia Ridley, Jordan Ealey
28 February 2024
Justice for Movie Musicals, or Why the Musical Adaptation of The Color Purple Matters 
Podcast
Justice for Movie Musicals, or Why the Musical Adaptation of The Color Purple Matters 
by Jordan Ealey, Leticia Ridley
14 February 2024
An Art Festival in Rwanda Converses with the Past and Celebrates Our Shared Present
Essay
An Art Festival in Rwanda Converses with the Past and Celebrates Our Shared Present
by Giulianna Marchese
5 October 2023
Carson Kreitzer and Matt Gould.
Unlocking the Mystery of Writing a Musical
Essay

Unlocking the Mystery of Writing a Musical

A Conversation with Carson Kreitzer and Matt Gould

26 October 2014

P. Carl interviews Carson Kreitzer and Matt Gould about their journey creating the new musical, Lempicka.

Musical Theatre Writers Talk with Andy Einhorn, Ted Chapin, and Michael Korie
Video

Musical Theatre Writers Talk with Andy Einhorn, Ted Chapin, and Michael Korie

Saturday 27 September 2014
New Hope, PA

Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania presented a new musicals talk-back livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Saturday 27 September at 11:30 a.m. EDT / 10:30 a.m. CDT / 8:30 a.m. PDT / 15:30 GMT / 4:30 p.m. BST. Featuring the creative teams of String and Thanks: Andy Einhorn, Ted Chapin and Michael Korie. Moderated by Bucks County Playhouse’s Executive Producer Robyn Goodman. In Twitter, use @TheaterBCP and #howlround for Q&A. 

The cast of Avenue Q.
When Avenue Q Goes Local
Essay

When Avenue Q Goes Local

Racism and the Production of Plays that Joke about Race

25 September 2014

Stephen Quigley writes about a production of Avenue Q in South Carolina, and what arises when producing a musical which tackles race outside of its original premiere and setting: New York City.

Where Broadway At?
Essay

Where Broadway At?

Meditations On the Closing of the Tupac Musical.

23 July 2014

Idris Goodwin investigates the potential financial and critical success of Hip-Hop-oriented theatre.

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Artist Encounter for Brigadoon
Video

Artist Encounter for Brigadoon

Sunday 6 July 2014
Chicago, IL, United States

Goodman Theatre in Chicago presented an Artist Encounter for its latest production, Brigadoon, livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 6 July at 3 p.m. PDT/ 5 p.m. CDT/ 6 p.m. EDT/ 22:00 GMT.

A Man at Diva Fest
Essay

A Man at Diva Fest

Stuart Bousel Adapts Kristin Hersh’s Rat Girl

8 May 2014

Lily Janiak discusses the world premiere of Stuart Eugene Bousel's adaptation of Rat Girl, a memior by Kristin Hersh, lead singer of Throwing Muses.

Friday Phone Call # 56
Podcast

Friday Phone Call # 56

The Wilhelm Brothers

11 April 2014

Listen to weekly podcasts hosted by David Dower as he interviews theater artists from around the country to highlight #newplay bright spots. This week: The Wilhelm Brothers.

Two actors fight on stage in a boxing ring in Rocky.
The Broadway Effect in Rocky, Aladdin, Les Miz
Essay

The Broadway Effect in Rocky, Aladdin, Les Miz

3 April 2014

Jonathan Mandell looks at reocurring devices and techniques of spectacle in Broadway productions.

Logo for Dramatists Guild.
Technology for the Composer at The Dramatists Guild
Video

Technology for the Composer at The Dramatists Guild

Thursday 21 March 2013
New York, NY, United States

The Dramatists Guild of America presents the next event in their new DG Conservatory series moderated by Tony-winning composer and Guild Council member, Stephen Flaherty, Technology for the Composer 2, livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 21 March 2013 at 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. PDT (San Francisco) / 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. CDT (Chicago) / 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. EDT (New York) / 22:00-23:30 GMT (London).

Bum Phillips All-American Opera at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club
Video

Bum Phillips All-American Opera at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club

Sunday 16 March 2014
New York, NY, United States

La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York presented a performance of Bum Phillips All-American Opera by Monk Parrots livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Sunday 16 March at 11:30 a.m. PDT/ 1:30 p.m. CDT/ 2:30 p.m. EDT/ 18:30 GMT. In Twitter, use #howlround.

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Musical Theatre & Hidden Communities conversation at Dramatists Guild
Video

Musical Theatre & Hidden Communities conversation at Dramatists Guild

Tuesday 11 February 2014
New York, NY, United States

The Dramatists Guild of America presented Behind the Music-al: Goes Behind Closed Doors livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 11 February at 3 p.m. PST (Los Angeles)/ 5 p.m. CST (Chicago)/ 6 p.m. EST (New York). In Twitter, direct comment @DramatistsGuild and use hashtag #howlround. Follow @HowlRoundTV for updates.

Peter Pan promo shot.
Peter Pan in 2014
Essay

Peter Pan in 2014

Notes For NBC’s Creative Team

31 January 2014

Talleri McRae offers her thoughts on Peter Pan Live, and how NBC might approach bringing the family tale to the small screen.

The cover of Fun Home.
Anyone Can Whistle
Essay

Anyone Can Whistle

Fun Home and New Musical Theatre

14 January 2014

Rob Onorato discusses Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, its musical adaptation, how both inspire him and advance the form of musical theatre.

Peter Ubu performing.
Pere Ubu
Essay

Pere Ubu

An Ambiguation in the Mainstream

28 November 2013

Allison Vanouse writes about Pere Ubu, and how their experimental rock channels the ghost of Ubu Roi.

Logo for Dramatists Guild.
Role of New Media in Contemporary Musical Theatre at Dramatists Guild
Video

Role of New Media in Contemporary Musical Theatre at Dramatists Guild

Tuesday 8 October 2013
New York, NY, United States

Dramatists Guild of America presented DG Conservatory: Behind the Music-al presents MuTube—The role of New Media in Contemporary Musical Theatre livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Tuesday 8 October 2013 at 3 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles) / 5 p.m. CDT (Chicago) / 6 p.m. EDT (New York).

Two actors embrace onstage.
The Song’s The Thing
Essay

The Song’s The Thing

Creating A Rock + Theater Collaboration

27 July 2013

Inspired by the Adele’s song for Skyfall, the artists of the new play By and By collaborated with the band The Kilbanes to reframe the experience for the audience members.

Portrait of Shoshana Greenburg.
Valuing the MFA
Essay

Valuing the MFA

25 July 2013

In the short-term, the reward is learning more about musical theatre writing. The long-term benefits of getting a MFA include larger successes.

Banner ad for The Living Room Theatre.
A performance of The Death of Cupid: A Whiskey Musical at The Living Room Theatre
Video

A performance of The Death of Cupid: A Whiskey Musical at The Living Room Theatre

Monday 15 July 2013
Kansas City, MO, United States

The Living Room Theatre of Kansas City, MO presented the livestreaming of The Death of Cupid: A Whiskey Musical livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 15 July at 6 p.m. PDT (San Francisco) / 8 p.m. CDT (Kansas City) / 9 p.m. EDT (Toronto).

Event banner ad for Sixteen Going On Seventeen at Joe's Pub.
Second Generation (2g) Showcases New Season & Commissioned Writers at Joe's Pub
Video

Second Generation (2g) Showcases New Season & Commissioned Writers at Joe's Pub

Monday 24 June 2013
New York, NY, United States

2g presents Sixteen Going on Seventeen at Joe’s Pub celebrating the 2012-13 season and introducing its commissioned writers, livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Monday 24 June 2013 at 4 p.m. PDT (San Francisco) / 6 p.m. CDT (Chicago) / 7 p.m. EDT (New York).

Photo from the play Baritones Unbound.
A Day in the Life of a Creative Producer
Essay

A Day in the Life of a Creative Producer

17 May 2013

Shari Malyn takes us inside a day in the life of a Creative Producer at ArtsEmerson's Creative Producers in Training program.

Still from Here Lies Love.
Here Lies Love
Essay

Here Lies Love

16 May 2013

W.M. Akers looks at how this immersive musical from Alex Timbers, David Byrne, Annie-B Parson and Fatboy Slim tells Imelda Marcos' story through disco, audience involvement, and theatrical hypnotism.

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Musical Bookwriting Seminar by Librettist John Weidman at Dramatists Guild
Video

Musical Bookwriting Seminar by Librettist John Weidman at Dramatists Guild

Thursday 18 April 2013
New York, NY, United States

The Dramatists Guild of America is thrilled to present a bookwriting seminar with celebrated librettist, and former Dramatists Guild president, John Weidman livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 18 April 2013 from 3 p.m. PDT - 4:30 p.m. PDT (Los Angeles) / 5 p.m. CDT - 6:30 p.m. CDT (Chicago) / 6 p.m. EDT - 7:30 p.m. EDT (New York) / 22:00-23:30 GMT / 11 p.m. BST - 12:30 a.m. BST (London).

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Songwriting Master Class with Jason Robert Brown at The Dramatists Guild of America
Video

Songwriting Master Class with Jason Robert Brown at The Dramatists Guild of America

Thursday 21 February 2013
New York, NY, United States

The Dramatists Guild of America presented the third event in the new DG Conservatory series—a Songwriting Workshop with celebrated composer/lyricist/conductor/arranger Jason Robert Brown livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 21 February at 3 p.m. PST (Los Angeles) /5 p.m. CST (Chicago) / 6 p.m. EST (New York). See below for a replay of the livestreamed event.

Portrait of Deanna Downes.
Party People
Essay

Party People

A Revolution Not Yet Dead

27 December 2012

Deanna Downes on her experience assisting in the development of Party People, and the lessons she is carrying into her own work as a director.

Logo for Dramatists Guild.
Songwriting Master Class with Michael John LaChiusa at the Dramatists Guild
Video

Songwriting Master Class with Michael John LaChiusa at the Dramatists Guild

Thursday 13 December 2012
New York, NY, United States

Dramatists Guild of America presented a songwriting master class with composer/lyricist Michael John LaChiusa as part of the DG Conservatory series livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Thursday 13 December 2012 at 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. PST (Los Angeles) / 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. CST (Chicago) / 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. EST (New York) / 23:00-oo:30 GMT (London).