Disco Fever and Soulful Serenades: A Journey Through the Adult Musicals of 1970s New York City

The 1970s was a transformative decade for the American musical theater. The rise of disco and soul music, combined with the growing influence of African American and LGBTQ+ artists, led to a new wave of musicals that were more adult-oriented, both in terms of their themes and their musical styles.

These musicals tackled a wide range of topics, from the complexities of urban life to the challenges of relationships. They also featured some of the most memorable and iconic songs in Broadway history.

Hard Times: The Adult Musical in 1970s New York City

by Elizabeth L. Wollman

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2070 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	286 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The First Wave: Disco Fever

The first wave of adult musicals in the 1970s was driven by the disco craze. These musicals featured upbeat, catchy songs and energetic dance numbers. They were often set in the nightclubs and discos of New York City, and they celebrated the hedonistic lifestyle of the era.

Some of the most popular disco musicals of the 1970s include:

• A Chorus Line (1975)
• Saturday Night Fever (1977)
• Grease (1978)

These musicals were hugely successful on Broadway, and they helped to bring disco music to a mainstream audience.

The Second Wave: Soulful Serenades

The second wave of adult musicals in the 1970s was characterized by a more soulful and introspective style. These musicals often dealt with the challenges of urban life, and they featured songs that were both beautiful and moving.

Some of the most popular soulful musicals of the 1970s include:

• The Wiz (1975)
• Dreamgirls (1981)
• Ain't Misbehavin' (1978)

These musicals were also hugely successful on Broadway, and they helped to bring soul music to a mainstream audience.

The Legacy of the 1970s Adult Musical

The adult musicals of the 1970s had a profound impact on American musical theater. They broke new ground in terms of their themes and their musical styles, and they helped to bring a new generation of audiences to Broadway.

Today, these musicals are still performed around the world, and they continue to inspire and entertain audiences of all ages.

Further Reading

• The Golden Age of Disco Musicals
• Soulful Musicals of the 1970s
• Musicals of the 1970s

Hard Times: The Adult Musical in 1970s New York City

by Elizabeth L. Wollman

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2070 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	286 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE