An Overview
Origin of Project
I love theater. I am young. I want to learn.
Therefore, I have decided to take upon several challenges: Last summer I listened to all of Stephen Sondheim's works. After I listened to all of his work, I consumed the Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals. My next posting will chronicle that experience. Before the 2017 Tony Awards, I wanted to listen to all of the Tony Winners for Best Score. I accomplished that goal. Now I am wrapping up listening to all of the Grammy Award Winners for Best Musical Theater Album. I will listen to the remaining albums that won Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards next.
When I share that I am meeting these goals, the general response is, "Wow, that is a lot of dedication" or "That must take up so much time."
Yes and no.
I do have the "Achiever" personality trait, so making lists and crossing items off said lists are completely satisfying and natural habits. The key for me has been to find time where I can multitask. Of course I am not going to just sit down, close my eyes, and listen to album after album. Although that sounds relaxing, I would be mortified by my lack of productivity. Consequentially, I only listen to the albums when I am cleaning around the house or exercising at the gym. Cleaning without music is downright insanity to me. Exercising in general is basically insane, but that is neither here nor there . . .
What is next?
All of my challenges have been soundtrack-oriented. The consumption of material has stimulated my brain. However, I have yet to work hard cognitively to digest the material. My intention is not to belittle the artistry and genius of the albums I have heard; rather, the truth is that I have not invested significant cognitive exertion into the projects. Exposure is great, but purposeful annotation is better. Thus, I plan to read all of the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramas.
Brief History
The Pulitzer Prizes are named after renowned journalist Joseph Pulitzer. Seymour Topping and Sig Gissler's "History of The Pulitzer Prizes" summarizes the journey of the awards. Topping and Gissler explain the relatively limited span of awards at the impetus of the organization: "In writing his 1904 will, which made provision for the establishment of the Pulitzer Prizes as an incentive to excellence, Pulitzer specified solely four awards in journalism, four in letters and drama, one for education, and five traveling scholarships." As of 2017, there are 14 awards in journalism and 7 awards in Letters, Drama, and Music. The omission of arts such as choreography and cinematography reveals that the prizes are not all-inclusive.
The Pulitzer Prize for Drama began in 1917; however, nothing was awarded that year. The first winner was Why Marry? by Jesse Lynch Williams in 1918. 24 Pulitzer winners also received either Tony Award for Best Play or Best Musical. Only 9 musicals have received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. No award has been given on 15 occasions (and as recently as 2006). Eugene O'Neill holds the most Pulitzer Prizes, a total of four recipients.
According to the official Pulitzer website, the award is "[f]or a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life." The winners receive $15,000. Submissions begin the Jan. 1 each year and close Dec. 31 each year. The requirements are incredibly straightforward on their website.
Here are the winning musicals/plays I have already listened to/read:
Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda (2016)
Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris (2011)
Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (2010)
Rent by Jonathan Larson (1996)
Fences by August Wilson (1987)
Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine (1985)
Buried Child by Sam Shepard (1979)
A Chorus Line by Michael Bennett, James Kirkwood, Jr., Marvin Hamlisch, Nicholas Dante and Edward Kleban (1976)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying by Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows (1962)
Fiorello! by Jerome Wiedman, George Abbott, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick (1960)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams (1955)
South Pacific by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Joshua Logan (1950)
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (1949)
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (1948)
Our Town by Thornton Wilder (1938)
Of Thee I Sing by George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind, and Ira Gershwin (1932)
Street Scene by Elmer L. Rice (1929)
Nominees
Fun Home by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori (2014)
In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hughes (2009)
The Gospel at Colonus by Lee Breuer and Bob Telson (1985)
True West by Sam Shepard (1983)
Structure of Future Posts
Each post's title will be the title of the play, the author of the play, and the year of the play. Unfortunately, I will not be able to read the plays in chronological order because the copies are coming from all over Ohio. I will have one post dedicated to the musicals. I will eventually post on the plays I've already read. Currently, I am more excited to read the shows I've yet to encounter!
Each post will include the following:
Please leave questions and comments on the posts. I know this first post was lengthy, but I figured it was essential to give an overview of this blog so as to focus myself and to give you context. I am excited to chip away at this challenge and to LEARN!
I love theater. I am young. I want to learn.
Therefore, I have decided to take upon several challenges: Last summer I listened to all of Stephen Sondheim's works. After I listened to all of his work, I consumed the Pulitzer Prize-winning musicals. My next posting will chronicle that experience. Before the 2017 Tony Awards, I wanted to listen to all of the Tony Winners for Best Score. I accomplished that goal. Now I am wrapping up listening to all of the Grammy Award Winners for Best Musical Theater Album. I will listen to the remaining albums that won Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards next.
When I share that I am meeting these goals, the general response is, "Wow, that is a lot of dedication" or "That must take up so much time."
Yes and no.
I do have the "Achiever" personality trait, so making lists and crossing items off said lists are completely satisfying and natural habits. The key for me has been to find time where I can multitask. Of course I am not going to just sit down, close my eyes, and listen to album after album. Although that sounds relaxing, I would be mortified by my lack of productivity. Consequentially, I only listen to the albums when I am cleaning around the house or exercising at the gym. Cleaning without music is downright insanity to me. Exercising in general is basically insane, but that is neither here nor there . . .
What is next?
All of my challenges have been soundtrack-oriented. The consumption of material has stimulated my brain. However, I have yet to work hard cognitively to digest the material. My intention is not to belittle the artistry and genius of the albums I have heard; rather, the truth is that I have not invested significant cognitive exertion into the projects. Exposure is great, but purposeful annotation is better. Thus, I plan to read all of the Pulitzer Prize-winning dramas.
Brief History
The Pulitzer Prizes are named after renowned journalist Joseph Pulitzer. Seymour Topping and Sig Gissler's "History of The Pulitzer Prizes" summarizes the journey of the awards. Topping and Gissler explain the relatively limited span of awards at the impetus of the organization: "In writing his 1904 will, which made provision for the establishment of the Pulitzer Prizes as an incentive to excellence, Pulitzer specified solely four awards in journalism, four in letters and drama, one for education, and five traveling scholarships." As of 2017, there are 14 awards in journalism and 7 awards in Letters, Drama, and Music. The omission of arts such as choreography and cinematography reveals that the prizes are not all-inclusive.
The Pulitzer Prize for Drama began in 1917; however, nothing was awarded that year. The first winner was Why Marry? by Jesse Lynch Williams in 1918. 24 Pulitzer winners also received either Tony Award for Best Play or Best Musical. Only 9 musicals have received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. No award has been given on 15 occasions (and as recently as 2006). Eugene O'Neill holds the most Pulitzer Prizes, a total of four recipients.
According to the official Pulitzer website, the award is "[f]or a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life." The winners receive $15,000. Submissions begin the Jan. 1 each year and close Dec. 31 each year. The requirements are incredibly straightforward on their website.
Here are the winning musicals/plays I have already listened to/read:
Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda (2016)
Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris (2011)
Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (2010)
Rent by Jonathan Larson (1996)
Fences by August Wilson (1987)
Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine (1985)
Buried Child by Sam Shepard (1979)
A Chorus Line by Michael Bennett, James Kirkwood, Jr., Marvin Hamlisch, Nicholas Dante and Edward Kleban (1976)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying by Frank Loesser and Abe Burrows (1962)
Fiorello! by Jerome Wiedman, George Abbott, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick (1960)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams (1955)
South Pacific by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Joshua Logan (1950)
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (1949)
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams (1948)
Our Town by Thornton Wilder (1938)
Of Thee I Sing by George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind, and Ira Gershwin (1932)
Street Scene by Elmer L. Rice (1929)
Nominees
Fun Home by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori (2014)
In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hughes (2009)
The Gospel at Colonus by Lee Breuer and Bob Telson (1985)
True West by Sam Shepard (1983)
Structure of Future Posts
Each post's title will be the title of the play, the author of the play, and the year of the play. Unfortunately, I will not be able to read the plays in chronological order because the copies are coming from all over Ohio. I will have one post dedicated to the musicals. I will eventually post on the plays I've already read. Currently, I am more excited to read the shows I've yet to encounter!
Each post will include the following:
- A brief description (genre, setting, context, etc.) -- I will do my best to avoid spoilers!!
- My candid first thoughts about the play after having read
- An elaboration on the two most effective aspects of the play/a proposal on why the show won
- A few thoughts on how the play might be used in school (what themes, conventions, etc. could be dissected in a class setting)
- My personal takeaway from the play
- A ranking
Please leave questions and comments on the posts. I know this first post was lengthy, but I figured it was essential to give an overview of this blog so as to focus myself and to give you context. I am excited to chip away at this challenge and to LEARN!
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