Seriously Mad: Mental Distress and the Broadway Musical

Theatermakers in the US have used madness as a source of dramatic spectacle, using psychoanalytic ideas to construct troubled characters. Musicals have delved into the experience of those living with mental pain, trauma, and unhappiness, with "Seriously Mad" exploring how theater dramatized serious medical conditions and social problems.

Format: Hardback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Theatermakers in the United States have a longstanding fascination with madness as a source of dramatic spectacle. During the Broadway musicals' "golden age," creative teams employed psychoanalytic ideas about mental life to craft troubled characters who were at odds with themselves and their surroundings. As the clinical and cultural understanding of madness evolved over the twentieth century, musicals continued to explore the experiences of individuals living with mental pain, trauma, and unhappiness.

Seriously Mad: Theater Musicals and the Exploration of Mental Distress in the United States provides a compelling account of stage musicals' engagement with historically significant theories about mental distress, illness, disability, and human variance. By examining who is deemed mad and what constitutes madness at different points in U.S. history, Aleksei Grinenko demonstrates how theater dramatized serious medical conditions and social problems in an attempt to bring musicals closer to "highbrow" sophistication.

Among the numerous Broadway productions discussed in the book are "Next to Normal," "A Strange Loop," "Sweeney Todd," "Man of La Mancha," "Dear World," "Anyone Can Whistle," "Gypsy," "Oklahoma!," and "Lady in the Dark." These musicals not only entertain but also shed light on the societal and cultural attitudes towards mental health and illness throughout different periods in American history.

Through its detailed analysis and engaging storytelling, Seriously Mad offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between theater, medicine, and society. It demonstrates how theater can be a powerful tool for raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and promoting empathy for those who experience mental distress. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of theater, mental health, and history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472076444