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Commonwealth
2020 Lecture Series: Engaging the Mind
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Robert
Chapel
Professor, Chair and Director of Theatre and Producing Artistic
Director, Heritage Repertory Theatre
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The American Musical And Its Reflection Of American
Culture And Society
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In a recent article in the New York Times, Richard Eyre, former artistic
director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, was quoted as saying, "The
American musical is the only original dramatic form to be created
in the 20th century. It is a uniquely American creation." As
it evolved, it undoubtedly became "uniquely American" due
to the societal influences and societal changes felt by 20th century
composers, lyricists, and librettists. It became "uniquely American"
because it reflected America. Bob Chapel, Professor and Chair of the
University of Virginia's Department of Drama, and a lover of American
musicals, will present an overview of the evolution of the American
musical within the context of the evolution of American society. |
About
Mr. Chapel: Bob
Chapel has directed or acted in over 130 productions in New York,
Los Angeles, regional and university theatre. Bob also now serves
as Producing Artistic Director for the Heritage Repertory Theatre,
having also been one of its principal stage directors since 1987.
Directing credits include The Balcony in Los Angeles (Drama-Logue
Award), Shubert Alley at the Players’ Club in New York which
officially opened the Shubert Archive at the Lyceum Theatre, Leonard
Bernstein’s Mass which officially reopened the Michigan Theatre
in Ann Arbor, Moby Dick-- Rehearsed for the Orson Welles’
Retrospective at New York University, the New York premiere of
Cinderella Waltz and the world premiere of the musical First Star
in San Diego. Prior to joining the UVA faculty in 1990, he served
on the faculties and/or directed at San Diego State University
(where he received an outstanding teaching award), New York University’s
Tisch School of the Arts, the University of Michigan, California
Institute of the Arts, and the University of Alabama. In addition,
he has served as Artistic Director of Music Theatre North in Potsdam,
NY. During an eight year residence in Los Angeles, he served as
Vice-President of a feature film company, assisting in the producing
of films in Australia, Canada, New York and Los Angeles. While
in Los Angeles and New York, he appeared in a number of films
and prime-time television programs as well as in many commercials.
He is listed in Who’s Who in America. Bob is also a member
of SSDC, AEA, SAG, AFTRA, NAST, SETC and VTA and he received his
Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Michigan.
Download
the list of resources for
Mr. Chapel's lecture in pdf format. You need Adobe
Acrobat reader to view this document.
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