Research Paper on Musical Theatre

[iBubblistic_Hugs]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 12:20pm

Hi!



I'm doing a paper called the Extended Project Qualification and the essence of it is that you write a 5000 word essay on whatever you want (you can also create an 'artefact' which takes about 2500 words off the essay, this is something like a piece of art or writing a collection of songs, scripting a scene or creating a short film). I want to write my essay linking to musical theatre, something possibly linked to Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, Everybody's Talking About Jamie or Be More Chill specifically, or something that related to LGBTQ+ issues or mental illness presentation in Musical Theatre. I'm also interested in looking at modern versus classic musicals? I'm really not sure about what kind of question I could answer exactly, I basically need a topic to write about and I can't pick one, but you're supposed to pose a question and then answer it in your essay. If I did an artefact I'd probably write a short musical or part of a musical to support my essay.

Thanks for any help you give!



:)

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 12:41pm

I would think the point of the project is to get you to think on your own --- which wouldn't be the case if you get other people to do it for you, right?  Maybe start by narrowing down your ideas below --- you're thinking too broadly.  Maybe choose one show that you know well and then choose one element of that show to discuss in depth?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 1:30pm

While I fully agree with the sentiment JSquared expresses - I see you aren't looking for us to give you answers, just help you find what topic you might be able to use involving contemporary musicals.

 

You could certainly look at:  ACCURACY of mental illness, historic info, lgbtq+ issues, or how those representations may affect the "un-woke" (not yet woke?) audience member.

 

 

[therosenpants]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 6:00pm

I think if you are interested in both Modern v Contemporary musicals AND the representation of LGBTA+ issues in theatre, you have an essay right there: Trace how LGBTA+ individuals have been depicted in musicals from then to now, and perhaps pick a specific issue to illustrate even further. Pick some musicals you like from the past and present and see what they have in common in terms of representation, and what they do differently in their portrayals. 

It sounds like a great topic, and I wish you the best! I have written similar essays in the past and would be happy to provide assistance!

[EdEval]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 8:50pm

Perhaps you can do a historical over view on how  gays have been presented in musicals over the years.  From perhaps the very first was Noel Coward's  Bitter Sweet, 1929.  with the song "Green Carnations" worn by gay men to identify themselves as such,  through Lady In The Dark with fashion photographer Danny Kaye singing "Tchiakovsky"in 1940,  The cross dressing of Ray Bolger in Where's Charley? to Cabaret, Hair, Applause, Chorus Line, Chicago, to La Cage and beyond.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 9:29pm

Those are great suggestions, Ed, but a young person today might have trouble recognizing the pre-Stonewall codes of sexuality.

A way to use Ed's suggestion without having to become an expert on deconstructing pre-1969 queer representations might be to compare the early representations of APPLAUSE and A CHORUS LINE, however well meant, to later musicals where the gays are allowed to take center stage: LA CAGE and FALSETTOS.