Final answer:
From the early twentieth century, minstrel shows evolved into vaudeville and musical theatre, with musical theatre growing out of the minstrelsy tradition to become extremely popular. Productions like 'In Dahomey' signaled a major shift in the perception and presentation of African American performers in mainstream entertainment. Theatrical traditions diversified into melodramas, vaudeville acts, and Wild West shows, representing a broad cultural shift.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early twentieth century, minstrel shows expanded into the tradition of vaudeville and musical theatre. Musical theatre, in particular, became the most commercially popular form of theatre, growing out of minstrelsy and vaudeville. Minstrel shows were an American theatrical practice where white performers painted their faces black and mimicked the singing and dancing of slaves, often reinforcing racial stereotypes. An evolution of performance styles led to the birth of new theatrical experiences which combined elements of song, dance, slapstick comedy, and melodrama.
One notable milestone was the 1903 opening of In Dahomey by Bert Williams and George Walker, marking the first full-length, all-black musical showcased on a major Broadway stage. Such live performances transitioned and transformed from the constraints and controversies of minstrel shows to the more celebratory and robust expressions of African American culture and heritage. This transition was a significant point in American cultural history, acknowledging the artistic and commercial contributions of African American performers in mainstream entertainment.
Audiences were also treated to a variety of acts in vaudeville shows and attended melodramas, which presented moral lessons through exaggerated characters and plotlines. The popularity of melodramas and other forms of entertainment, including circuses and Wild West shows, indicated a broad spectrum of theatrical traditions that emerged from and moved beyond the minstrel show heritage.