At a Glance
In his recent book, “Carefully Taught: American History Through Broadway Musicals,” Cary Ginell profiles many American musicals that were inspired by actual historical events. The theatrical productions address historical events from the Civil War and Vietnam to smaller but no less dramatic stories ranging from studies of American racism like "The Scottsboro Boys” and “Parade,” to whimsical satires like “Bye, Bye Birdie” and “Finian’s Rainbow.” In this lecture, Cary will discuss elements of many of these musicals, and show how real stories are often more dramatic than ones that are dreamed up by playwrights.
