Minstrel Musical Theatre- Kamalia Blunt

Minstrel Musical Theatre

This form of musical theatre is considered a black mark in musical theatre history, both figuratively and literally. The most popular shows on stage from the 1840s to the early 1900s debut White men with blackened faces mimicking and representing what was assumed to be the Negro race for the amusement of mainly other White people (However, people of all races were amused). This born-and-raised American entertainment displayed racial hatred and popularized stereotypes of Blacks as unsophisticated slaves and petty thieves relishing in their adoration of “Massuh.”

In order to achieve “Blackface,” a cork would be burned, then it could be smudged onto the face like make-up and ready for a show. “Blackface,” was actually quite popular before its introduction to minstrelsy. White men would engulf this “Negro” persona and attempt to sing, dance and talk in Negro dialect. As a matter of fact, between the mid 1700s and early 1800s, blackface was included in over 5,000 circus and theatre productions. 

  

Cotton and Chick Watts Comedy Minstrel Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_swtbIi2F0

Citation:
Kenrick, John. "A History of the Musicals: Minstrel Show." Musicals101.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Apr 2013. <http://www.musicals101.com/minstrel.htm>.