Melodrama surpassed all other forms in popularity during the 19^th century and into the 20^th century.

ROMANTICISM - covers the years 1800-1850. The Neo-Classics (in 18^th century) had originally felt that if a writer followed the rules, he could write a good play. Eventually playwrights began to feel that rules restrict genius. Romantics further rejected the Neo-classical principles (such as the unities of time and place, separation of genres, etc.). They felt that there should be no rules. The Romantics believed that Shakespeare had never let rules restrict his genius, and, as such, was considered the ideal. Folklore, especially rebellious folk heroes, became popular as the subject of Romantic plays.

20^th CENTURY REALISM - By the late 1940s, realism in the theatre was modified. People had discovered that reality was not as simple as they had thought (A-bomb, WWII,etc.). For example, sets were suggested, there were more scenes and fewer acts in the plays, and there was a great deal of experimentation.

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) - (Previously covered this material). His plays are filled with people unable to cope psychologically with what they viewed as the brutalities of American life. He uses comic/serious elements for contrast. Shows spiritual/material worlds in conflict.

The Glass Menagerie (1945)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1947)
Summer and Smoke (1952)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955

The production ran for 5 years. When it closed on November 1, 1987, after 2,209 performances, it was the third-longest running musical^[5] and the highest-grossing production in Off-Broadway history.^[6] Though a Broadway transfer had been proposed for the production, book writer Howard Ashman felt the show belonged where it was.^[7] Since it was not produced on Broadway, the original production was ineligible for the 1982 Tony Awards. The producers were the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization. The Audrey II puppets were designed and operated by Martin P. Robinson.^[4]

An original cast recording, released in 1982, omitted the songs "Call Back in the Morning", and "Somewhere That's Green" (reprise), and had abridged versions of "Now (It's Just the Gas)," "Mushnik and Son," and "The Meek Shall Inherit." It also shifted the location of the song "Closed for Renovation," appearing in the show after "Somewhere That's Green" while appearing on the cast album after "Now (It's Just the Gas)" to serve as an upbeat bridge from Orin's death to the Act II love ballad, "Suddenly, Seymour".^[8] The recording features Leilani Jones, who replaced Marlene Danielle as Chiffon two weeks after the musical opened.'

By the end of the century puppet shows at large fairs (many of which featured the marionette version of Mr Punch) almost died out because they were too expensive to operate. Instead, the glove puppet version of Punch and Judy began to be a familiar sight in portable booths on the streets of London.'

director fired everyone when it was cancelled but kept seymour actor ( hunter foster) 

-1964 rolling stones opening number

little shop contextualised: motown, rock and roll and gospell

the song uptown influenced downtown.

‘He’s a rebel” was released in 1963, written by gene pitney