American Studies ETDs

Publication Date

5-2-1978

Abstract

Any art form may be used as a cultural indicator because art is a product of the artist's perceptions of the society in which he or she creates. The drama of the commercial theatre is especially useful as a measure of a society's values, spirit, and temperament for it, more than any other art form, is dependent upon public acceptance for its existence. This study is designed to demonstrate the manner in which theatre may be used as a good indicator of its audience by examining the successful productions of several Broadway seasons. The examination of these plays centers upon the changes in their subject matter and the relation of these changes to American society. The period chosen for this study is that between the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 and the declaration of war in Europe in 1939. These two decades, because they are a period of economic, social, and political extremes almost unmatched in American history, are especially useful as indicators of shifting cultural values. This study is limited specifically to the seasons of 1919-20, 1927-28, 1928-29, 1931-32, 1932-33, and 1938-39; these seasons bracket the inter-war years and provide consecutive seasons through which to demonstrate the sensitivity of the theatre's response to social change. Each season is discussed in terms of economic influences which affected production. Such points as the effect of strikes, production costs, ticket prices, the availability of theatres, and outside investment are dealt with; these are discussed in terms of their effects on playwrights and audiences. These same seasons are examined in terms of their content. To facilitate the examination of the responsiveness of the plays to social change, the ninety-eight hit productions with which this study is concerned are dealt with in four areas: economic situations, images of women, changing morality, and overall atmosphere. Examination of the plays does demonstrate that the theatre reflects the values and concerns of its audience. Reflected in the plays is the growing up of America between world wars upon which so many writers have commented. There is a movement in the plays from simplicity of belief and style, a concentration upon life as it should be, to the confusion and responsibility of decision making and harsh reality of life as it is. This responsiveness and change demonstrate that the commercial theatre, especially in a pre-television society, is a valid indicator of cultural values.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

American Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

First Committee Member (Chair)

Charles DeWayne Biebel

Second Committee Member

Ferenc Morton Szasz

Third Committee Member

Peter Prouse

Fourth Committee Member

David Richard Jones

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