Showtunes In The 60's

In every great musical, there is a showtune that defines it. Where would Dorothy be without Somewhere Over the Rainbow? Similarly, for every decade of show there is an occurring theme. Showtunes can be recognized by decade through a multitude of things, including; vocal sound, instruments used, and tone. Many things in showtunes have changed throughout the course of time while some have stayed the same. Each decade does have very important aspects, and here is why; In the 1960’s, showtunes were very upbeat. Many shows of the 60’s very “belty” singers and in their voice there is still a very sixties rock sound. Music around the world was changing, with the formation of many bands, such as; The Beatles, The Beach Boy, and The Rolling Stones. In most showtunes of this decade that soft rock sound is recognizable in actor’s voices. Even Broadway was at the "The Age of Aquarius." Icons on the other side of sixties showtunes, like Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn, brought belting to a new level, and helped to create the current sound of Broadway. The 1960s, also had a large orchestra with a band of 26, or more, instruments. The sixties also had a heavy string section that shined in a lot of the showtunes. Some of the best showtunes ever made came out of the 1970’s. This was the first time Annie, Godspell, Sweeney Todd, A
Many of my favorite musicals came out at this time; Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods, Big River, and Dreamgirls. The showtunes of the 80s were of a huge variety. Broadway began to have something for everyone. With higher technology the orchestra size became smaller, except for Webber shows of course. Many surprising issues were now being shown and actors, even had more passion behind their voice. Broadway was showing issues such as slavery, gender rights, prostitution, and abduction. The eighties were a time for change on the Broadway