BWW Blog: Jessica Walker - Young Women and the New Pop Musical

With Hamilton making a splash on the Great White Way, and shows like Waitress bringing a new sound to the theatre community, there is no denying that pop musicals are making their mark on Broadway. New productions combine daring storylines with catchy songs that are definitely not considered "traditional musical theatre." These productions feature a genre of music that reflects the changing world around us and a generation coming in to their own. Besides a fresh sound, these musicals offer one more element reflecting the progression of our modern world: empowering roles for women both on and off the stage, bringing progression out of storybooks and in to reality for a new generation of female thespians.

In the past year, the topic of women in theatre has not only become more widely discussed, but firmly implemented in the production process. Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of Hamilton: An American Musical, has repeatedly said that he would have no qualms about casting a woman in roles traditionally be played by men. There would be nothing cooler than seeing a woman in a navy-blue army jacket and crisp French accent rapping the verses from "Guns and Ships," or a female Aaron Burr meeting Hamilton on the dueling ground for that fateful shoot-out. Waitress, with music and lyrics by indie artist Sara Bareilles, take this idea of equality one step further, featuring not only strong, powerful female characters on stage, but having an all-female creative team backing the show. The main character of Jenna Hunterson is dynamic and relatable, constantly striving for success and pursuing what she wants. The team behind the world in which Jenna lives are the personification of the strength and drive she posses. The discussion around Waitress' success is not surprising, but watching the history happening behind the scenes undoubtedly is. This is giving young women who are interested in a theatrical career options for their future: they are no longer being confined to "eye-candy" or the token female sex symbol. These women are teaching girls that they have potential in all aspects of theatre, a concept that serves as a reflection of the progression we see in the world around us.

As a young woman finding my own as an actor, the changes I see around me are especially meaningful. So many of the female characters I see in new shows are not exclusively confined to their looks, but rather contain depth and emotion. This is by no means a new concept, but the visionaries and ideals surrounding it are. Seeing strong female characters written, directed, and performed by strong women provide positive role models for so many young people going in to this field, promoting the message that anything can be accomplished, regardless of gender. Characters like Angelica Schuyler, Jenna Hunterson, and Alison Bechdel show that it is possible to posses many different characteristics, and that it is okay to be human. This gives me hope, as a woman, that going in to my future I will be respected alongside my male counterparts. It gives me hope for roles that will stretch me to my limits and will challenge me to try new things. The pop-musical has given me so many hopes for the future, and I can't wait to see where these new ideas will lead us.

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