An Introduction to the Works of Stephen Sondheim: An Adult Education Enrichment Course
Graduation Date
Spring 2004
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
First Reader
Craig Singleton, DMA
Second Reader
Harlan Stelmach, PhD
Abstract
This paper is designed to be the framework for an adult education enrichment course introducing the works of Stephen Sondheim (b. 1930), the dominant composer/lyricist of American musical theatre in the second half of the twentieth century. As such, it is divided into three sections. The first section is an overview of musical theatre in America, beginning with The Black Crook (1866), and ending with a brief examination of the current state of musical theatre in this country. The second section is a short biographical sketch of Sondheim, including an examination of the contributions that Sondheim has made to the art form. The final section consists of lecture notes, recommended videos and recordings, and graphics and handouts for the specific lectures.