Abstract
Musical theater is known for its excess. The artform is a multifaceted work consisting of drama, song, choreography, and set design which can be considered an American staple that stems from the early twentieth century. Musical theater was developed and became widely popular in New York City, a metropolitan hub of immigrants during that time. Eastern European Jews were among this group, and in their efforts to assimilate into American culture, they began to contribute artistically, imparting their values and ideas into this musical art form. Many people today see and hear musical theater as “cheesy,” a characteristic that can be defined as overly dramatic or excessive. Given the history of musical theater and its connection to Eastern European Jewish immigrants’ attempt at cultural assimilation, this essay examines the link between cheesiness and musical theater through the lens of antisemitism in America.
How to Cite
Cameron, G. R., (2021) “Chutzpah or Cheesy: A Look into Antisemitism and Musical Theater”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 34(1).
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