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
- I: Background
- II: Acts defined, Black vaudeville
- III: Headliners & Keeping It Clean
- IV: Final years & Legacy
Burlesque
1866-1879
The First Musical Comedies: 1879-1899
Gilbert and Sullivan
1900-1910
1910-1920
Stage 1920s
- I: Sally & No No Nanette
- II: Operettas & Revues
- III: Black Musicals
- IV: New Songwriters
- V: Jolson, Good News & Show Boat
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
- I: Rock Musicals
- II: Sondheim, Prince and Fosse
- III: A Chorus Line, Revivals
- IV: New Book Musicals
- V: Storm Warnings
Stage 1980s
Stage 1990s
Stage 2000s
And the Future?