2018 Fall Semester Inquiry

Abstract

My inquiry revolves around the question of how social issues are reflected in Broadway performances. To help me answer this question I analyzed two Broadway shows: Rent and Angels in America. Both of these shows take place during the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. When looking at these shows and the eras they took place in I came across two main impactful social issues - the AIDS crisis and LGBTQ discrimination. Rent is about a tough year for a group of impoverished friends in New York City who are dealing with the AIDS crisis, high homelessness numbers, and LGBTQ rights. Angels in America is about a group of people whose lives entangle because of the AIDS crisis and relationship problems. When researching I also looked at the playwrights and how they took their personal experiences and issues and reflected them into their shows. I also interviewed an artistic director at a local theater and talked with her about how and why theaters choose to produce shows that reflect on what's happening in society. She told me that by putting on these impactful shows it can help audience members better understand these issues and raise awareness.