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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
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Six fascinating hours about one hundred years of Broadway - from the early Twenties to the 2004 premiere of "Wicked". Julie Andrews hosts this celebration of a uniquely American art form - result of the bringing together by immigrants of such a rich range of musical tradition.
The documentary is ambitious and totally succeeds - enhanced by archive material (digitally restored), extracts from shows, and contributions from the genre's leading lights.
It tells how the musical ever continues to evolve - from those initial frivolous revues, through fully integrated shows based on a firm plot, right the way towards concepts that break all the rules and forever extend boundaries.
Quite simply, musicals grew up - adapting to the impact of two World Wars and the Depression, the challenges posed by cinema and television. The younger generation also had a part to play, increasingly a voice demanding to be recognized - Rock 'n' Roll sweeping all before it, protests about Vietnam (and many etceteras) helping to add vibrancy and more depth to many shows that followed.
Now the great challenge seems to be the prohibitive cost of putting on a production, overheads severely limiting what can be offered. Although this is daunting, Broadway WILL survive. How, with its track record, can it be otherwise?
A "must buy" for all interested in the musical stage - exhilarating, thoughtprovoking, moving too (as with the devastation throughout the profession caused by AIDS).
(A hope that perhaps others will share.... How splendid if each new production, as a matter of course, were to be preserved on DVD! As with cast albums, these would be wonderful souvenirs for those who savoured their night out, a chance for less fortunates also to enjoy what deserves the widest possible audience.)
The documentary is ambitious and totally succeeds - enhanced by archive material (digitally restored), extracts from shows, and contributions from the genre's leading lights.
It tells how the musical ever continues to evolve - from those initial frivolous revues, through fully integrated shows based on a firm plot, right the way towards concepts that break all the rules and forever extend boundaries.
Quite simply, musicals grew up - adapting to the impact of two World Wars and the Depression, the challenges posed by cinema and television. The younger generation also had a part to play, increasingly a voice demanding to be recognized - Rock 'n' Roll sweeping all before it, protests about Vietnam (and many etceteras) helping to add vibrancy and more depth to many shows that followed.
Now the great challenge seems to be the prohibitive cost of putting on a production, overheads severely limiting what can be offered. Although this is daunting, Broadway WILL survive. How, with its track record, can it be otherwise?
A "must buy" for all interested in the musical stage - exhilarating, thoughtprovoking, moving too (as with the devastation throughout the profession caused by AIDS).
(A hope that perhaps others will share.... How splendid if each new production, as a matter of course, were to be preserved on DVD! As with cast albums, these would be wonderful souvenirs for those who savoured their night out, a chance for less fortunates also to enjoy what deserves the widest possible audience.)
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
This documentry, narrated by musical great Julie Andrews offers a wonderful look at how Broadway and the American musical have developed over the last century.
Starting in the late 1800's with the Ziegfeld Follies and continuing up to the present day with shows like Wicked, it provides a backstage glimpse at the changing fortunes of the Broadway musical and the performers, songwriters and musicians who shaped the great white way.
The interviews and opinions provided come from a vast range of people - theatre critics, songwriters and composers and the performers themselves and give a rich view of the different shows on offer over the decades.
Starting in the late 1800's with the Ziegfeld Follies and continuing up to the present day with shows like Wicked, it provides a backstage glimpse at the changing fortunes of the Broadway musical and the performers, songwriters and musicians who shaped the great white way.
The interviews and opinions provided come from a vast range of people - theatre critics, songwriters and composers and the performers themselves and give a rich view of the different shows on offer over the decades.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
The saintly Ms Julie Andrews (all kneel & bow down, please) guides us through a comprehensive history of the development of Broadway musicals. This is invaluable for teaching English A level courses in musical theatre and quite honestly is a blast from start to finish. Chopped up into neat episodes, covering almost every aspect of social, cultural & historical development, it takes you through to the back end of the 20th century and Disney's takeover of Broadway. Interviews and sound bites from all the greats - Hal Prince, Tommy Tune, Stephen (we adore you) Sondheim - they're all there. Buy it. Watch it again and again and bore your friends to death at dinner parties for years and years.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fun on Broadway
This title took a little more time than expected to arrived but when was worth the wait (and arrived in pristine condition). Read more
Published 2 months ago by Paul Oldham
Fabulous
An excellent series that's an absolute bargain at £6. Really interesting with good interviews and some fabulous footage. Read more
Published 2 months ago by chrgrgrl
Broadway Buffs Will Enjoy
The quality of this DVD is excellent...far better than I expected. Strange that I "found" in the UK, when I live in Canada. Thank you.
Published 7 months ago by Jill S. Paetke
The Dawn of Musical Film.
This historical documentary is outstanding.Lasting 342 minutes (2 CD's in six episodes). The production is stunning. Read more
Published 8 months ago by ACB (swansea)
Need some PaZazz in your life?
Brilliant detailed review from the beginning of Broadway to present day. 6, hr episodes of fabulousness. Perfect gift for my mum.
Published 21 months ago by Laura Simms
broadway the american musical
A must have for west end wendy's or anyone besoted with the wonder of the MUSICAL
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Ms. Dc Cresswell
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