Landmarks of the American Musical

This course will cover important developments in the evolution of the American musical from the Civil War to 1967, including how and why the theatrical genre originally came about. From The Black Crook (1866) to Hair (1967), the course will feature numerous audio and video examples by the leading composers and writers during this especially fruitful century. Also, we will try to determine why a particular show deserves “landmark” status.

Morton Achter taught university courses on the history of American musical theater during his 40-year teaching career and has offered classes about Gilbert and Sullivan, the symphony, and opera at Midcoast Senior College. He has directed over 70 musicals, operas, and plays at the professional, college, and community levels.