I speak with David Armstrong, an American stage director, writer, producer, podcaster, and educator, about his book, Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists invented the Broadway Musical.
David is an American stage director, writer, producer, lecturer, educator, and choreographer. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, where from 2000 to 2018 he served as the Producing Artistic Director and later as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director. He currently serves on the faculty of the University of Washington School Of Drama where he teaches a course on his book.
He hosts the podcast series “Broadway Nation,” with more than 250 episodes and now in its third season.
ABOUT BROADWAY NATION: (broadway-nation.com)
Broadway Nation is a lively and opinionated cultural history of the Broadway Musical that tells the extraordinary story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African-Americans and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical, and how they changed America in the process. The podcast series is now in its third season ans features more than 250 episodes.
ABOUT THE BOOK: (amazon.com)
A groundbreaking exploration that reveals the powerful impact of marginalized groups on the evolution of the Broadway Musical.
At the turn of the 20th century, immigrants, Jews, Queers, and African Americans faced exclusion from mainstream American society, with limited employment opportunities. They found their calling in the emerging field of “Show Business”, particularly the burgeoning Broadway Musical. Their pioneering spirit not only seized this opportunity but also continued to shape and dominate the Broadway Musical for over a century, creating an art form that has deeply influenced American culture.
Throughout its history, the Broadway Musical has subtly and at times boldly championed human rights and liberal values, reflecting its creators’ and performers’ diverse backgrounds. Unlike previous works on musical theatre history, this book weaves these diverse threads into a comprehensive narrative, repositioning Black, Queer, and Women artists at the heart of the story, acknowledging their long-standing contributions often overlooked.
Broadway Nation is a valuable resource for both students and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this beloved American art form. Readers will gain profound insights into the history and transformation of the Broadway Musical over a span of more than a century. Additionally, the book celebrates the remarkable artistry and craftsmanship of key figures, from George M. Cohan to Lin Manuel-Miranda, who have left an indelible mark on this extraordinary cultural phenomenon.
ABOUT DAVID ARMSTRONG – Host, Writer, Producer
David Armstrong is the producer writer and host of the popular podcast BROADWAY NATION, which was inspired by a course he teaches at the University of Washington School of Drama on the history of the Broadway Musical. During his 40 years career in the professional theater he has worked as a director, writer, producer, and choreographer on Broadway and at many leading theater companies across America. He is best known for his work at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle where from 2000 to 2018 he served as the Producing Artistic Director and Executive Producer. During his tenure The 5th produced 19 new musicals, including nine that subsequently moved on to Broadway including the Tony Award winning “Best Musicals” HAIRSPRAY and MEMPHIS.
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