Queer Approaches in Musical Theatre

"This book introduces readers to a facet of musicals often assumed but misunderstood: how queer approaches in musical theatre extend deeper than fabulosity. Queerness in musicals challenges heteronormativity but sometimes simultaneously reinforces it. This volume encompasses queerness beyond simply the familiar narrative of gay men's over-representation in musical theatre. Readers are introduced to the history of queerness in musicals as well as queer methods of how to study musicals. Four case studies are organized around historical contexts, textual narratives, staging and production, and reception"--
Queer Approaches in Musical Theatre introduces readers to a facet of musicals often assumed but misunderstood: how queer approaches in musical theatre extend deeper than fabulosity. Queerness in musicals challenges their typical heteronormativity but also sometimes simultaneously reinforces it. Featuring four case studies centered around musicals such as The Book of Mormon, Cabaret, Fun Home, La Cage aux Folles and Rent, this concise study examines the stakes of representation in the theatrical genre most often presumed to be openly queer.Providing readers with an understanding of the historically-shifting terminology of queerness, this foundational book offers a brief overview of how queer studies informs the analysis of musicals themselves, and introduces histories of queerness in musicals as well as methods of how to examine the historical context, text, staging and reception of these works.