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Broadway: The American Musical

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Episodes:

• Broadway: The American Musical, Ep.5 - Tradition (1957-1979)

  "Broadway" tells two stories: the 100-year history of musical theater, and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life, from the immigrant experience at the turn of the century to the Broadway of today. Episode Five begins with "West Side Story," which not only brought untraditional subject matter to the musical stage, it ushered in a new breed of director/choreographer who insisted on performers who could dance, sing and act. New talents took musical theater in daring new directions with innovative productions like "Hair." Hal Prince's conceptual staging showcased John Kander and Fred Ebb's dynamic score for "Cabaret." But it was director/choreographer Michael Bennett who spearheaded the biggest blockbuster of all -- "A Chorus Line."

  Length:	00:56:56

• Broadway: The American Musical, Ep.6 - Putting It Together (1980-Present)

  "Broadway" tells two stories: the 100-year history of musical theater, and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life, from the immigrant experience at the turn of the century to the Broadway of today. Episode Six concentrates on the business of Broadway in the late 20th and early 21st Centuries. London-based producer Cameron Mackintosh redefined the business of show business as "Cats," "Les Miserables," "The Phantom of the Opera," and "Miss Saigon" became international blockbusters. After 9/11, Broadway -- like the rest of America -- emerged from the darkness as Broadway's corporate dominance continues to grow, evidenced by new shows such as "Wicked," the biggest hit of the 2003-04 season.

  Length:	00:57:16

• Broadway: The American Musical. Episode 01-Give My Regards to Broadway (1893-1927).

  "Broadway" tells two stories: the 100-year history of musical theater, and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life, from the immigrant experience at the turn of the century to the Broadway of today. Episode One begins with Florenz Ziegfeld and "The Ziegfeld Follies." Ziegfeld's story introduces many of the era's key figures: Irving Berlin, Fanny Brice, Bert Williams, and George M. Cohan; men and women who embodied the energy of Broadway. This is also the story of the onset of World War I and the Red Summer of 1919, when labor unrest swept the nation. The episode culminates in Ziegfeld's 1927 production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's far-sighted masterpiece, "Show Boat."

  Length:	00:59:21

• Broadway: The American Musical. Episode 02-Syncopated City (1919-1933).

  "Broadway" tells two stories: the 100-year history of musical theater, and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life, from the immigrant experience at the turn of the century to the Broadway of today. Episode Two begins with the advent of Prohibition and the Jazz Age. America convulsed with energy and change, and nowhere was the riotous mix of classes and cultures more dramatically on display than Broadway. Marilyn Miller, the Marx Brothers, Al Jolson, George Gershwin and his brother Ira all rocketed to stardom, and Broadway reopened its doors to black artists. But as the Roaring Twenties came to a close, Broadway's Jazz Age suffered the one-two punch of the "talking picture" and the stock market crash, triggering a massive talent exodus to Hollywood.

  Length:	00:56:45

• Broadway: The American Musical. Episode 03-I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (1929-1942).

  "Broadway" tells two stories: the 100-year history of musical theater, and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life, from the immigrant experience at the turn of the century to the Broadway of today. Episode Three Episode Three covers The Great Depression. Productions like Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" offered glamour and high times as an escape, while others -- such as the remarkable WPA production of "The Cradle Will Rock" -- dealt directly with the era's social and political concerns. In 1935, George Gershwin created his epic masterpiece, "Porgy and Bess," bringing a hybrid style of folk opera to Broadway. The onset of World War II galvanized the country and America's troubadour, Irving Berlin, rallied the troops with "This Is the Army."

  Length:	00:56:56

• Broadway: The American Musical. Episode 04-Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' (1943-1960).

  "Broadway" tells two stories: the 100-year history of musical theater, and the story of its relationship to 20th-century American life, from the immigrant experience at the turn of the century to the Broadway of today. Episode Four examines a new partnership that forever changed the face of Broadway -- Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. "Oklahoma!" "Carousel" and "South Pacific" set the standard for decades to come by pioneering a musical where story is all-important.

  Length:	00:56:45

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