The idea that “the American musical was born out of slavery and immigration” certainly has its merits when examining the major currents of American musical theater before 1942, as influences from minstrel shows and the influx of immigration introduced new performance styles and subject matter into the ever-developing art of American musical theater. As for the implication that slavery was one of the launching points from which the American musical arose, one could certainly take that as a reference to the reverberating effects of minstrel shows. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayMinstrelsy, which was popularized in the mid-19th century during American slavery and continued to be a popular form until it faded from public favor in the post-Civil War period, is best defined as a form of variety performance that featured white performers in blackface calling for exaggerated imitations of what they believed to be inductive of “Negro lives and issues.” This form of racially oriented performance surely stemmed from the racial division engendered by American slavery, as it was often white Northern performers with little credible knowledge of Southern plantation life who most used this form to romanticize the reality of life as an African American slave. .Minstrelsy introduced the first roots of American popular music when original compositions were formed for the shows of people like Stephen Foster, and also sewed into its structure the first seeds of a show that alternated ensembles and "special" artists. Minstrelsy's musical and structural legacy helped define the development of American musical theater as it was seen as the first "anti-European" or "anti-formal" piece of authentic American-made performance. Immigration also played an important role in the production of American musical theater, as the rush of European immigration to New York in the nineteenth century not only produced very important figures such as Irving Berlin, but the fusion and interaction between different ethnic groups he advanced the art of variety show that pre-1942 American musical theater would do. eventually mature from. As immigrants of all backgrounds—Irish, Jewish, Italian, Russian, German, or otherwise—struggled to find their place and sense of belonging in their new home, many found that performing was a way to connect with other diverse groups of their efforts to grow the neighborhoods of Manhattan through the use of ethnic variety shows that exploited ethnic stereotypes to create entertainment. These variety shows have become not only a way for otherwise unskilled immigrants to make a living, but also a way to create a sense of belonging for new ethnic groups in America by playing out their stereotypes. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay The inclusion of greater diversity and cultural interaction in the variety stage has advanced the form, as other forms of variety such as burlesque, vaudeville, and revue have flourished from the interest and participation of immigrants. Not only did immigration advance the forms that would eventually spawn the American musical formula, it also popularized the very idea of ​​American show business as theater became a source of opportunity and engagement..