Final answer:
The duo most responsible for initiating the Character/Lyric-based movement in musical theater is Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, with their revolutionary musical Oklahoma! laying the groundwork for a new era of integrated storytelling through music, lyrics, and character development in the arts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The composer/lyricist team most responsible for the Character/Lyric-based movement in musical theater is Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Their groundbreaking work on Oklahoma! in 1943 revolutionized the genre by integrating songs and story in a way that enhanced the portrayal of characters and narratives, unlike anything that had been done before in musical theater. This shift towards deeper storytelling and character development was reflected in many aspects of the production, from Agnes de Mille’s choreography, which furthered the psychological depth of the characters, to the sophisticated blending of music, lyrics, and dance.
Moreover, Rodgers and Hammerstein's ingenuity in mixing serious social issues and complex characters into their musicals paved the way for subsequent productions to explore weighty themes and offer more substantive theatrical experiences. This Character/Lyric-based movement has had a lasting impact, evident in many musicals that followed, including those with socially relevant stories and multifaceted characters. Their influence is seen throughout the evolution of musical theater, which includes the innovative contributions of other musicals such as West Side Story, Cabaret, and A Chorus Line.