Reflection on our last class

     I can not even begin to describe how much I love broadway performances and the history behind them. If a class existed that was just an in depth study of Broadway history and performances I would take it in a heart beat. Over the past week that we have spent learning about broadway I have learned many new things about the producers and politics that were involved with Broadway. I also enjoyed getting to learn some new things about my favorite Broadway production, Chicago, and one of the brilliant minds behind it, Bob Fosse.

 

     In addition, we also went over how much of a detrimental effect AIDS had on Broadway and its performers; we also talked about how the introduction of birth control finally brought women up to the same level as men. Towards the end of class we discussed the effects war had on our country and how its produced the movements for peace and love. People were promoting peace and loving one another all over america as an antiwar movement. 

Finally we ended class by discussing the production Wicked and how Disney saved and brought the spirit of Broadway back to life. Broadway had fallen off to the way side over time and had been replaced by sex shops and strip clubs. After visiting the New Amsterdam theater Disney decided to purchase the theater. However, he was concerned about family safety in the area as a result of all of the sex shops. However, the mayor of New York promised that he would make sure that the shops wouldn't be a problem. Wicked is to date one of the biggest productions that has ever hit Broadway. However, that is not where Wicked was originally premiered. It premiered at the Curran Theater in Chicago in an attempt to be more cost effective. After having been premiered and several kinks had been worked out Wicked soon found its self being preformed on the Broadway stage. Wicked was only the second Broadway production that was ever backed by Universal Studios.