Author(s): Ryan Donovan (The New School USA)

Popular Culture

Queer Approaches in Musical Theatre introduces readers to a facet of musicals often assumed but misunderstood: how queer approaches in musical theatre extend deeper than fabulosity. Queerness in musicals challenges heteronormativity but sometimes simultaneously reinforces it. This volume encompasses queerness beyond simply the familiar narrative of gay men’s over-representation in musical theatre. Readers will be introduced to the history of queerness in musicals as well as queer methods of how to study musicals. Featuring four case studies, centered around musicals such as The Book of Mormon, Fun Home, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and La Cage aux Folles, readers will discover the historical contexts, textual narratives, staging, and reception of these influential productions. Published as part of the Topics in Musical Theatre series, this foundational book provides readers with an understanding of the historically shifting terminology of queerness as well as offering a brief overview of how queer theory informs the study of musicals themselves.

September 2023