DRAKE UNIVERSITY

Spring 2019 – Course Syllabus

Course Title: MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY Dept / No. THEA 123 Credits: 3
Meeting Times: T/TH 9:30pm – 10:45pm
Instructor: Adam Yankowy Prounouns: He/His/Him
Email: adam.yankowy@drake.edu Phone: TBD Office: FA262
Office Hours: T 11:30AM-12:30PM , W 10:00AM-11:00AM, 2-2:30PM, 3-4PM, TH 11-12PM
or by appointment

Required: Broadway Musicals: Show by Show, Eighth Edition by Green

Various Cast Recordings (See Listening Lab)

Recommended Text: Not Since Carrie by Mendlebaum (Not required)

The World of Musical Comedy, 4th Edition by Green (Not required)

Major Resource: “Broadway: The American Musical” (2004), directed by Michael Kantor.

Objective:
This course will introduce the student to the history of Musical Theatre from its origins to the present
focusing on the Broadway stage. Students will gain an in depth appreciation and knowledge of both the
dramatic structure and theory of the musical as an art form as well as insight into its production practices
and values.
Content:
Musical theatre performances, using both visual and aural sources, will be interspersed with lectures on
musical theatre trends, practices and personalities (actors, directors, choreographers, etc.). All of these
will be examined as to their lasting contribution to the art form.
Grading:
Your grade will be based upon:
A. Class participation 10 %
B. Two Examinations 30 %
C. Historic Presentation Project 20 %
D. Creative Project 15 %
E. Listening Lab Quizzes 25%
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory; the work we do happens in the classroom. You are allowed two (2) absences before your
grade suffers. Any additional absences will lower your grade one (1) full letter grade per absence, (i.e. if you miss
3 classes, the highest grade you can receive is a B.) Tardiness of less than 15 minutes will result in the loss of half
(1/2) an absence. Beyond 15 minutes will result in a full absence. Please notify me of any known conflicts during
the first two weeks so we can make arrangements.

Assignments:
1) Participation is key in this course. There are several facilitated discussions about musical theatre
history and the materials we review while in class.
2) “Blow It Out of the Canon” Historic Presentation Project: See the handout for details.
3) Creative Project: See the handout for details.
4) Listening Lab Quizzes: Over the course of the term, you will explore 101 must-know musical theatre
performers and shows. You will listen to numerous cast albums to be able to identify the performer, show
title, composer and lyricist. Portions of songs will be randomly selected, so listening to the entire cast
album is in your best interest.
Examinations:
There will be two, non-cumulative in-class exams that will be highly objective in nature.

General Notes:
1. No food or drinks allowed in class except bottled water
2. ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONES or TEXTING...not even on silent. Disruption of class by either
will result in a penalty of -25 points.
3. NO LAPTOPS in class. You will bring paper and a writing utensil to take any notes.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/
4. If you email between the hours of 6PM and 9AM, Do NOT expect an immediate response. I will do my
best to respond the next morning by 10AM.

University Policies:
Every attempt will be made to accommodate students with disabilities. Accommodations are coordinated through
Student Disability Services. Please contact Michelle Laughlin, Director of Student Disability Service at 281- 1835
or michelle.laughlin@drake.edu.

Student Disability Services Accommodation

If you have to miss more than the allotted two (2) absences due to an accommodation by student disability services,
you will be allowed to earn those points back with a 4-5 page research paper (topic approved by instructor) for each
class that you miss. You are expected to reach out to the instructor prior to your absences. Guidelines to
come. Note: this make-up work is only offered to students in need of student disability services accommodations.

The University has resources available for students who have experienced sexual or interpersonal misconduct,
which can include sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, for example. Some resources are
legally confidential, which means personal information will not be shared with anyone else. Other non-confidential
(yet still private) resources can explain how to locate support resources, file a complaint within the university, or
file criminal charges – these non-confidential resources need to share incidents of sexual and interpersonal
misconduct with the Title IX Coordinator.

As an instructor, I am Non-Confidential; however, please know that sharing with the university does not mean the
individual must participate in a formal university or criminal process; an individual could request confidentiality
through the University, for example. Other services the university can provide include safety planning, counseling,
disability or immigration services and assistance in academic and housing accommodations as needed. University
contacts: • Resources and reporting options can be found on the Title IX webpage at www.drake.edu/titleix. •
Violence Intervention Partner (V.I.P.) provides peer-based 24/7 confidential support and advocacy services. To
access a V.I.P. advocate call or text 515-512-2972. • Katie Overberg, Title IX Coordinator: 271-2982 or
titleix@drake.edu
 CALENDAR

January 29 Introduction/The Beginnings/What is Musical Theatre?

January 31 1: “Give My Regards to Broadway” (1893-1927); Read Pg. xxiii-19 SBS
February 5 2: “Syncopated City” (1919-1933); Read Pg. 20-45 SBS
February 7 Introduce Research Project/Library Tour; Read Pg.46-69 SBS
February 12 LL Quiz #1- Discussion Film 1&2; Read Pg. 70-112 SBS
February 14 3: “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin” (1930-1942); Read Pg. 113- 146 SBS
February 19 LL Quiz #2- Discussion Film #3
February 21 Showboat (1936)/(1951)
February 26 4: “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” (1943-1960); Read 147- 167 SBS
February 28 LL Quiz #3- Showboat & Discussion Film #4
March 5 Oklahoma! (1943); Read 168-187 SBS
March 7 LL Quiz #4- Discussion Oklahoma!
March 12 Review for Midterm; Creative Project Due
March 14 Midterm Examination
March 19/21 No Class: Spring Break
March 26 Review Midterm; Presentation History Projects (1-7);Read Pg. 188-221 SBS
March 28 LL Quiz #5- Presentation of History Projects (8-13)
April 2 Presentation of History Projects (14-20); Read Pg. 222-240 SBS
April 4 LL Quiz #6- Presentation of History Projects (20-25)
April 9 5: “Tradition” (1957-1979); Read Pg. 241-255 SBS
April 11 Pippin (1972)/A Chorus Line (1975)
April 16 LL Quiz #7- Discussion Film #5/Pippin/A Chorus Line
April 18 6: “Putting It Together” (1980-2004); Read Pg 256- 287 SBS
April 23 LL Quiz #8- Discussion Film #6/ Andrew Lloyd Webber
April 25 Jesus Christ Superstar (1979), Cats (1982); Read Pg. 288-320 SBS
April 30 LL Quiz #9- Discussion Stephen Sondheim; Read Pg. 321- 363 SBS
May 2 Sweeny Todd (1979), Sunday in the Park (1984)
May 7 LL Quiz #10- To the present: 2004-2019 Lecture; Read Pg. 364- 398 SBS
May 9 Review; TONY AWARDS VIEWING
May 15 (W) @ 12:00-1:50 PM Final Examination