In this episode, Curtain Call's host, Jamie Corter, explores musicals from the 1990s that have a strong connection with gender. Jamie wraps up her conversation on contemporary age musicals by discussing William Finn's 1992 production of Falsettos and Johnathan Larson's 1996 Tony Award-Winning show RENT. In today's podcast episode, Jamie discusses these musicals' depiction of the AIDS/HIV epidemic of the late 1980s and whether they are an accurate portrayal. Additionally, she talks about unconventional families, the commodification of homosexuality, and changing gender identities.  Join us for the second last official decade's episode of Curtain Call!

Music Credits:

"Campfire" by Roa Music on Youtube

"The Color Purple (Reprise)" from the 2015 Broadway Cast of The Color Purple 

"Soft Place to Land" from the 2016 Original Broadway Cast Recording of Waitress

Works Cited: 

Bendix, T. (2019, January 28). How "rent" straightwashed queer lives and aids activism. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.them.us/story/sarah-schulman-rent

Incarnate, C. (2019, January 25). Angel's gender identity Is 'RENT's' most enduring mystery. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.out.com/news-opinion/2019/1/25/angels-gender-identity-rents-most-enduring-mystery

Isherwood, C. (2016, October 27). Review: ‘Falsettos,’ a Perfect Musical, an Imperfect Family [Web log review]. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/theater/falsettos-review.html

Kenrick, J. (1996). Our Love Is Here To Stay VIII AIDS and Beyond [Web log post]. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.musicals101.com/gay8.htm#:~:text=Musicals%20in%20the%20Age%20of%20AIDS,-Gay%20playwrights%20began&text=Larry%20Kramer%27s%20The%20Normal%20Heart,In%20America%20led%20the%20way

Knox, D. (1980). Trends in Marriage and the Family: The 1980's. Family Relations, 29(2), 145-150. doi:10.2307/584064

Miller, S. (n.d.). Inside "March of the Falsettos" [Web log post]. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from http://www.newlinetheatre.com/falsettoschapter.html

Smith, M. C. (1995, February 03). 'Falsettos' sings the praises of '90S families : THEATER: The Tony-winning play, which opens at UCI tonight, deals with gayness in an Unconventional HOUSEHOLD. but it's mostly about tolerance, the director says. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-03-ca-27505-story.html