The idea that “the American musical came from slavery and immigration” certainly has its merits when we examine the main trends in American musical comedy before 1942, as influences. Minstrel shows and the influx of immigration introduced new performance styles and subjects into the ever-developing art of American musical theater. As for the implication that slavery was one of the starting points from which the American musical was born, one could certainly see this as a reference to the reverberating effects of minstrel shows. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Minstrelsy, which was popularized in the mid-19th century during American slavery and continued to be a popular form until until it fades from public favor in the post-Civil War period is best defined as a form of variety show featuring white performers in blackface invoking exaggerated imitations of what they believed be inductive of “Negro life and affairs”. This form of race-focused performance almost certainly derives from the racial division generated by American slavery, as it is often white Northern performers with little credible knowledge of Southern plantation life who use this form most to romanticize the realities of life as an African-American slave. .Minstrelsy introduced the early roots of American popular music by forming original compositions for the shows of people like Stephen Foster, and also sowed in its structure the first seeds of a show that alternated between an ensemble and "specialty" artists ". . Minstrelsy's musical and structural legacy helped define the developing American musical theater, as it was considered the first "anti-European" or "anti-formal" piece of true American performance. Immigration has also played a significant role in the production of American musicals. musical theater, because the 19th century rush of European immigration to New York not only gave rise to very important figures such as Irving Berlin, but the mixing and interaction between different ethnic groups advanced the art of variety performance that American musical theater before 1942 would have advanced. eventually mature from. As immigrants from all walks of life – whether Irish, Jewish, Italian, Russian, German or otherwise – struggled to find their place and sense of belonging in their new country, many discovered that showmanship was a way to connect with other diverse groups in their new country. the growth of Manhattan neighborhoods through the use of ethnic variety shows that exploited ethnic stereotypes to create entertainment. These variety shows became not only a way for unskilled immigrants to make a living, but also a way to create a sense of belonging for new ethnic groups in America by playing out their stereotypes. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. a custom article now from our expert writers.Get a Custom Essay The inclusion of more diversity and cultural interaction in the variety scene has advanced the form, as other forms of variety such as burlesque, vaudeville and the journal thrived on the interest and participation of immigrants. Not only has immigration..