Our Musicals, Ourselves: A Social History of the American Musical Theatre

Our Musicals, Ourselves examines American musical theater from the 1920s through the 1990s, tracking how musicals both reflected and shaped the social climate of their times. The book connects major productions to concurrent historical events, political movements, and cultural shifts. Jones organizes the analysis by distinct time periods, including the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, and beyond. Each chapter focuses on key shows from that era and discusses how their themes, characters, and messaging intersected with the concerns and values of American society. The book draws on extensive research of original scripts, reviews, playbills, and other historical documents from the theater world. Production details and plot elements are presented alongside corresponding developments in American politics, economics, and social movements. This work makes a case for musical theater as a mirror of American identity and values, demonstrating how the art form has served as both cultural expression and social commentary. Through its chronicle of Broadway productions, the book traces the evolution of American attitudes toward class, race, gender, war, and other defining issues of the 20th century.

Readers value this book as a reference that connects Broadway musicals to their historical and social contexts. Many appreciate how Jones analyzes shows through the lens of specific decades and cultural movements. Likes: - Clear organization by time period - Links between musicals and societal changes - Coverage of both famous and lesser-known shows - Academic but readable writing style Dislikes: - Some sections feel rushed or superficial - Focus mainly on Broadway (less coverage of off-Broadway/regional theater) - Occasional factual errors noted by theater experts - Limited analysis of post-1990 musicals One reader noted: "Jones makes compelling connections between Oklahoma! and WWII-era American values, though some of his other interpretations feel stretched." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (21 ratings) Library Thing: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Most reviewers recommend it as a solid overview of musical theater's relationship to American culture, while acknowledging its limitations in scope.

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🎭 The book examines how American musicals reflect the political, social, and economic climate of their times, covering nearly a century of theatre history from the 1920s through the early 2000s. 🎵 Jones specifically analyzes how the Great Depression influenced musical theatre, noting that shows during this period often featured rags-to-riches stories and themes of economic hope. 🎪 The author, John Bush Jones, spent over three decades as a theatre professor at Brandeis University and directed more than 100 theatrical productions throughout his career. 🌟 The book explains how Oklahoma! (1943) revolutionized musical theatre by fully integrating its songs into the storytelling, rather than using them as standalone entertainment pieces. 🗽 During the Cold War era, musicals like West Side Story and Cabaret addressed social issues like racial prejudice and political extremism, reflecting growing cultural tensions in American society.