The Musical Research Paper has a formal, professional tone, and is intended to help students develop an original and thoughtful composition that is
accurate in research and analysis, well organized in structure, and clear in comprehension.
The main objective of the paper is to reveal how the show is a reflection of American life by using research and analysis of the musical itself to
provide supporting evidence. Avoid using one of our focus musicals and merely summarizing the plot, and instead, analyze how the story and
characters contribute to a social reflection, making sure that you focus on the lyrics and music and/or dance of at least three songs. You can also use
background information about the librettist, lyricist and composer, details about the work itself (actors/singers, directors/choreographers, dialogue,
etc.), and historical facts about the world outside the musical in order to draw parallels with the musical. It is always powerful to personalize, but keep
the focus on the musical and your analysis of it, rather than on your own life. Here are some questions to help you in your analysis:
How is the musical a reaction to something happening in the country at the time? Is there a character who represents someone or some issue from
the era?
Are there characters who function as members of the society of the time?
Is there a political statement being made with the musical?
Does the style of the music or staging reflect a quality or issue of the world of the play/musical?
How does the musical reflect the culture that produced it?
Sample Solution
