Musicals101logo

History of Stage Musicals

by John Kenrick

(Copyright 1996, Revised 2003)

You can study this history in a brief capsule version that links to the full essays, or go straight to the essays via the links below.

1700-1865


French and Viennese Operetta: 1850-1880


British Music Halls

American Variety


Minstrel Shows


Vaudeville


Burlesque


1866-1879


The First Musical Comedies: 1879-1899


Gilbert and Sullivan


1900-1910


1910-1920

Stage 1920s


1930s


1940s


1950s


1960s


1970s


Stage 1980s


Stage 1990s


Stage 2000s


Stage 2010s


And the Future?

 

Back to: Musicals101's Homepage