Classic Musical Revivals of the 1970s & 1980s

The 1970s saw Broadway reflect the huge cultural changes in American culture and society. However, in the midst of the emergence of the rock musical and the concept musical, there was also a sudden, unexpected revival of Golden Age (and earlier) musicals. Alongside these revivals, there also emerged a flurry of experimental, throwback musicals that harked back to a bygone era. This guide will explore how these shows developed and their influence upon Broadway.

Terminology

• Concept musical: a musical where a theme, metaphor or concept is just as important as the overarching plot and the featured songs.
• Film noir: a style of cinematographic film marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, and menace.
• Golden Age musical: a Broadway musical written and produced between 1943 and 1965.
• Revival: a restaging of a stage production after its original run has closed.
• Revue: a light theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short sketches, songs, and dances, typically dealing satirically with topical issues.
• Rock musical: a musical theatre work using rock music.

Key Dates & Events

• 1971 - No, No, Nanette is revived with a revised book by Burt Shevelove. The show was a surprise success, winning four Tony Awards and transferring to London two years later.
• 1974 - Angela Lansbury stars in the Broadway revival of Gypsy, after a successful run in London’s West End. She wins the 1975 Tony Award for Best Actress.
• 1977 - Annie premieres at the Alvin Theatre and goes on to have a hugely successful run of nearly six years. This remained the longest running show at the Alvin Theatre (now Neil Simon Theatre) until it was surpassed by Hairspray in 2009.
• August 25 1980 - The opening night of 42nd Street is dampened by the news that director/choreographer Gower Champion died the same day.
• 1980 - Richard Burton reprised his role as King Arthur in Camelot on Broadway.
• 1983 - Premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, the first Broadway musical to feature a same-sex couple in the romantic leads. The production won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score.
• 1985 - Singin’ in the Rain is adapted for the stage, based on the original 1952 movie musical.
• 1986 - The revised version of Me and My Girl premieres on Broadway after a successful West End production.
• 1987 - Patti LuPone stars in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes.
• 1989 - Premiere of City of Angels, featuring a jazzy score by Cy Coleman.