MUS 105 - Music Appreciation

This program from Tony Brown's Journal looks at blacks on Broadway, from black plays to producers that have made New York the theater capital of the world.

This film features how Oscar Hammerstein and Rouben Mamoulian created a new genre in American theatre, the musical. The following artists are featured: Stephen Sondheim; Agnes de Mille; Bob Fosse; Harold Prince; Joseph Papp; Ken Russell; Lorenz Hart; Richard Rodgers; William Hammerstein.

In a full and frank interview, Jeremy Isaacs talks to American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Under discussion are his life, his views and his work, which includes West Side Story, Follies and Sweeney Todd.

Blending theatrical footage with rare interview footage and Sondheim’s candid anecdotes, the film underscores Sondheim’s unique, conversational songwriting style, and focuses on Sondheim’s experiences writing six songs: “Something’s Coming,” “Opening Doors,” “Send in the Clowns,” “I’m Still Here,” “Being Alive” and “Sunday.”

The Tony-sweeping hit Broadway revival of the 2000 season, staged by Michael Blakemore. It was recorded at the Victoria Palace Theatre when the show transferred to London. Rachel York and Brent Barrett star in composer Cole Porter's masterpiece, inspired by Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Two bickering couples in a theatrical troupe's tryout run fuel the hilarious action. A crown jewel musical of Broadway's golden age, with eighteen classic songs, this was Kiss Me Kate's first revival in almost 50 years.

With the original cast headed by Hugh Jackman and Maureen Lipman, this Royal National Theatre production broke boxoffice records and was recognized by the Hammerstein estate as the definitive version of the musical. Directed by Trevor Nunn, the transition to screen won an International Emmy. Oklahoma! pioneered stage musicals by telling an emotional story through song lyrics as it had never been done before. It marked the beginning of the legendary Broadway partnership of Rodgers & Hammerstein. The show features some of the most beloved songs in the history of American musicals, including Oh What a Beautiful Morning, The Surrey With The Fringe On Top, I Cain't Say No, Many a New Day, Out of My Dreams, Oklahoma! (of course!), two songs missing from the 1955 film production, and more. It is the most honored musical drama of all time, with a Pulitzer Prize, two Academy Awards and an honorary Grammy and Tony. It became the first Broadway musical commemorated in a US postage stamp, and has been voted by New York's influential Drama League as The Best Musical of the Century.