Crash Course Theater: Post-War Broadway Drama

The video explores the transformation of Broadway post-WWII, focusing on the shift towards serious drama. It highlights the works of Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Lorraine Hansberry, examining their contributions to theater and the themes they explored. Williams' plays blend realism with expressionism, while Miller's works critique the American Dream. Hansberry's 'A Raisin in the Sun' addresses racial issues. The video concludes with a look at the rise of Off-Broadway and the Black Arts movement.

What major change occurred on Broadway by midcentury?

• It became a hub for musical comedies.

• It started focusing on serious plays.

• It became a center for experimental theater.

• It was dominated by foreign productions.

Which play marked Tennessee Williams' first major success?

• Suddenly Last Summer

• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

• A Streetcar Named Desire

• The Glass Menagerie

What is a central theme in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'?

• The pursuit of the American Dream

• The clash between illusion and reality

• The impact of war on society

• The struggle for racial equality

What acting style did Marlon Brando popularize in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'?

• Classical acting

• Method acting

• Improvisational acting

• Physical theater

What was Arthur Miller's first successful play on Broadway?

• The Crucible

• The Man Who Had All the Luck

• Death of a Salesman

• All My Sons

What is the main focus of 'Death of a Salesman'?

• The corrupting influence of the American Dream

• The life of a successful businessman

• The journey of an immigrant family

• The struggles of a political leader

What inspired Lorraine Hansberry's 'A Raisin in the Sun'?

• Her studies in literature

• Her family's encounter with racial discrimination

• Her experiences in the theater industry

• Her travels across Europe

What does 'A Raisin in the Sun' primarily depict?

• A family's experience with fame

• A family's journey through war

• A family's pursuit of the American Dream

• A family's struggle with poverty

What significant award did 'A Raisin in the Sun' win?

• Golden Globe

• Tony Award

• Drama Critics Circle Award

• Pulitzer Prize

What movement is introduced at the end of the video?

• The Beat Generation

• The Harlem Renaissance

• The Civil Rights Movement

• The Black Arts Movement