Broadway and the American Musical, Act I
Dr. Carolyn Black-Sotir, actress, singer and chair of Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences

The American musical ranks as one of our country’s most valuable cultural treasures. Steeped in the music, movement, and words of the American people, it is an integral part of our heritage, offering us a means of connecting with our past while lending perspective and understanding to the present. It gives voice to our diverse national community—immigrant, European, Jewish, African-American—while reflecting our nation’s changing times. Broadway and the American Musical is a “3-Act” series exploring and celebrating our country’s most popular theatrical art form.  Dr. Carolyn Black-Sotir, a recognized expert of the Broadway musical, will take us on a journey from the early days of Minstrelsy and Vaudeville, through the Jazz Age of Irving Berlin and the Gershwins, the Golden Age of Rodgers and Hammerstein, the Rock Musicals of the 60’s, the Sondheim 70’s, the 80’s British Invasion, the Mega Musicals of the 90’s, the 21st century’s Millennial Musicals, to the most recent Broadway sensation—Tony award-winning show Hamilton.  This fascinating retrospective illustrates how the American musical reflects, influences, even inspires social, economic, and political change. You will get to know the people who make it all happen: Broadway’s major composers, writers, lyricists, choreographers, dancers, actors, directors, producers, and designers.

PLEASE NOTE: Carolyn Black-Sotir’s series will continue in 2017 on January 10 and January 17 at the Walters Art Museum.

LOCATION: the Walters Art Museum
$15 door fee for guests and subscribers