New Broadway DVD gives historical insight

Deborah Temkin A&E Editor

Around-trip ticket on Metro North to NYC? $24. A subway ticket from Grand Central to Times Square? $2. A student ticket to a Broadway show? $30. The ability to see real live Broadway? Priceless.

As Vassar students, we have a unique opportunity to experience the sights and sounds that are famous to the 10 block stretch that runs through Times Square. Although an expensive treat, Broadway is something that needs to be experienced by anyone lucky enough to live just an hour and a half from brilliance.

Not every show on Broadway is worth the expensive ticket and trip to New York. Any Broadway consumer should at least have some foundation in the history and music that has made Broadway the American home for musical theater. Luckily, PBS has recently released a DVD set that covers all of Broadway history, entitled “Broadway: the American Musical.” This set, broken down into 6 episodes ranging from the original dancing Follies to the current musical Wicked, was recently broadcast on PBS, as well.

This set covers many of the basic aspects of the past and present of Broadway, so even the most knowledgeable fan will learn something new. However, these fans might be dismayed at the lack of focus on some of the so-called “classics” of Broadway, which seem to be skimmed over throughout this set. Additionally, much of the “story” of Broadway is presented by topic rather than chronologically. This makes it hard for the viewer to identify what developments happened concurrently and to truly grasp the significance of each event even if the episodes are broken down by time frame and every reference provides a year. As Robert Kimball, a musical historian interviewed on this program, said, “A chronological approach, on the whole, made most sense.”

The set also gives too much significance to minor aspects of Broadway and does not take the time to develop some of the more important and key pieces that fit the Broadway puzzle. “The opening sequence did not provide a fair and accurate presentation of the early years of the musical. Cohan and Ziegfeld, important as they were, did not launch Broadway between 1904 and 1907,” according to Kimball.

They also, for current musicals, chose to focus almost completely on Wicked, the 14 million dollar musical that is currently playing at the Gershwin theatre. With only slight reference to the 2003 Tony Winner, Hairspray, and no reference to this year’s winner, Avenue Q, this set is only valuable for those wishing to get a little insight into musical theater history. Still, many of the historical musicals are playing on Broadway, and Kimball sees the historical revivals becoming the mainstream for the strip. “Broadway is obviously becoming more like a museum or a giant reparatory house. Many of the older shows have more exciting scores and are more rewarding for performers and audiences and thus have more appeal.”

Many of the new shows on Broadway, however, are more focused towards the young-adult crowd. Some, however, are not meant for everyone and some are simply not worth seeing at all. The best way to determine which show to see is to read newspaper reviews and listen to soundtracks before buying expensive tickets. Kimball suggests comparing them to classic shows and finding your own taste within the quality of the score and book. Many musical soundtracks can be found on iTunes and OurTunes, and thus can be experienced for free.

Whichever show one chooses, it is important to know what has come before it. Now, on with the show.

Top Shows of 2004

Hairspray
Based on the 1988 movie, Hairspray takes a fun, yet critical look at race and appearance in the ’60s. Using comedic aspects, such as big hair and a man playing the overweight, unattractive woman, the play successfully sends the message that appearance means nothing. The score for this musical is very active and the storyline is well developed and exciting. This is a must see. Neil Simon Theatre.

Avenue Q
This is the show to see for any young-adult wondering where their life is going, or simply anyone who wants to joke about modern times. With culture-commentary songs such as “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist” and “The Internet is for Porn,” this musical makes the audience look within themselves to laugh at the absurdities of our culture. And it has puppets. This musical makes fun of the fact we all grew up on “Sesame Street” and makes fun of our cultural values. One example, as one character sleeps with a prostitute, screens on either side of the stage show 5 nightstands. A voiceover counts down to 1 until it is a “one night stand!” This is an absolutely must see. Golden Theatre.

Wicked
Based on the book by Gregory Maguire, this show takes the story of The Wizard of Oz and spins it to show that the Wicked Witch isn’t so wicked after all. The musical, however, cuts so much of the book that hardly any of the characters or character relationships are developed. There are some rememberable songs within the score, including “Popular” and the keystone piece, “Defying Gravity” But otherwise, the songs are monotone and bland. Still, 14 million dollars has to go somewhere: This is a see-for-set-and-support-corporations see. Gershwin Theatre.