UDC 782
DOI: 10.36871/hon.202301064
Authors
Kimol A. Breitburg,
Leopold and Mstislav Rostropovich Orenburg State Institute of Arts, Russian Federation, 460014, Orenburg
Abstract
The article considers one of the popular prototypes of the musical genre formed on the Broadway
stage in the 60s — 70s. Its birth, which has received a terminological definition as
a “concept musical”, is associated with a number of important socio-political events of the
70s in the USA. Against the background of economic and social crisis that American society
experienced during this period, a new social formation emerged, known today as the “Me”
generation. The divided and largely fragmented social environment, the shift of young Americans
away from social and political activism to personal concerns and individualism, could
not but provoke a reaction from artists and cultural figures, as reflected in their work, including
musicals created for the commercial musical theatre of Broadway. “Fiddler on the Roof”,
“Cabaret”, “Hair”, “Company” all served as new genre models, samples which, as a result of
an emerging trend, led musicals of this kind to a stable canon, establishing a certain prototype.
This prototype was later defined as a “fragmentary” or “concept musical”
The art of the musical has been actively developing throughout its century and a half history,
becoming increasingly important in the cultural life of different countries, including Russia.
This type of musical theatre is an ever adapting theatrical and entertainment form, which
in turn is a product of a dynamically developing socio–cultural environment.
Keywords
concept musical, integrated musical, fragmentary musical, commercial musical theatre, Broadway, socio-cultural environment
