Episode 38. Politics & Musicals: 20 Years of HAIRSPRAY with David Armstrong's "Broadway Nation"

This episode is a little different… It’s a collab with David Armstrong’s Broadway Nation.  

David Armstrong’s Broadway Nation is all about the history of the Broadway Musical, and today we combine forces to discuss the many connections and intersections between the Broadway Musical and American politics. 

Twenty years ago Adam and David had the tremendous good fortune to both be involved in the creation of the Tony Award winning “Best Musical” HAIRSPRAY.  Adam was part of that show’s original New York producing team, and David was the Producing Artistic Director of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre where the show received its World Premiere prior to Broadway.  They use that joyous, delightful, and very political show to kick off our conversation.

Most people probably don't think of musicals as being particularly political.  But Adam and David both believe that over their 125+ year history, Broadway musicals have more often than not been overwhelmingly political, and have usually – overtly or subliminally – strongly advocated for democratic, humanist values and ideals that many people would label as being “progressive” or “liberal”. 

Adam and David have both taught courses on the history of the musical using the “American studies” concept that you can't separate US politics from its history, culture, and literature.  And both have used the history of the musical to explore such topics as: what it means to be American, what it means to be “othered”, and how and why the “American experiment” has included, marginalized or excluded certain people and groups?  

Interestingly, many of those otherwise marginalized groups were included in the invention of the Broadway musical and contributed to not only moving the form forward, but also too instilling in it these progressive and humanist values. 

During the first half of the conversation, Adam and David discuss in detail the inspiration, early development, pre-Broadway tryout, and triumphant Broadway opening of Hairspray, as well as it’s political messages and ongoing impact and legacy.  After the break, they expand their discussion to the inherent political messages of other hit shows including Oklahoma, Guys & Dolls, Les Miserable, HAIR, Cabaret and Annie!

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