There’s no business like show business,” stated composer Irving Berlin in his hit musical, “Annie Get Your Gun.” Because of “show biz,” we all have hummed, whistled, sung, or tapped our toe to the many tunes from musical theatre. On Monday evening, February 20, 2017, beginning at 6:00 p.m., John and Anne Frame will present “Groundbreaking Musicals,” hosted by Friends of Odell Public Library at the library, 307 S. Madison Street, in Morrison, IL. The program is part of the Lifelong Learning inititive.
The Frames taught Music and Theatre in the Morrison School District. They will use footage of performers, songs, and dances from these musicals and add historical tidbits.
From Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein to Linn-Manuel Miranda, six musicals, which have broken new ground through innovative concepts, will be examined and discussed. They include “Showboat,” “Oklahoma,” “West Side Story,” “A Chorus Line,” “Rent,” and “Hamilton.” Each production gave us unforgettable music, and showcased dance as part of the storytelling. Four of the six shows have won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature.
Another aspect of the program will be the music and musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the most successful composer in history. His 13 musicals have run on Broadway and across the world for decades. Born of musical parents, he was introduced to the theatre by his aunt, who was an actress. In 1968, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was written for a prep school program. This was followed by four other meg-hits: “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” “Evita,” “Cats,”and “Phantom of the Opera.”
Turn off the TV, and join us for an entertaining evening of Broadway. There is no charge, however, donations are always welcome. Reservations are not required, but appreciated.
Please call the library at 815-772-7323 for reserve a spot.
“Come along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway!”