Question

1. What is your opinion on musical theater? Do you think it's as valid as other art forms? Why or why not?

2. Has expanding the musical theater genre with plays like "Hamilton" or "In the Heights" changed how you view musical theater?

Answer 1

1. Musical theater is a unique art form that combines music, dance, and drama to tell stories and convey messages to audiences. Like other art forms, it has its own strengths and limitations and can be enjoyed and appreciated by different people for different reasons.
2. It's true that expanding the musical theater genre with plays like "Hamilton" and "In the Heights" has brought new perspectives and diversity to the genre. These works have incorporated different styles of music, storytelling, and cultural references, which have helped to expand the appeal and relevance of musical theater to broader audiences.
3. Amy Fritsche's assertion that "theater has the power to be a mirror to society" is true because theater has the ability to reflect the values, beliefs, and issues of the society in which it is created and performed. Through theater, audiences can see their own experiences and perspectives reflected back to them, which can provide insights, provoke thought, and inspire action. The theater can also serve as a platform for social commentary and critique, highlighting social injustices, political issues, and cultural conflicts. In this way, theater can help to create social awareness, spark dialogue, and effect social change.