Fandom in Musical Theatre

What does it mean to be a 'fan' of Musical Theatre and how does 'fandom' continue to shape the genre?

From listening to Original Cast Albums on repeat in the basement, to camping in line overnight for first row tickets to Rent; to posting Legally Blonde dance call videos on TikTok and Wicked compilations on YouTube; the activities a musical theatre fan engages in have changed significantly over time, but the love and passion at the heart of the experience has remained the same. Fandom in Musical Theatre delves into the universe of musical theatre fandom, investigating its passionate communities and their dynamic subcultures.

Through three central chapters this book defines the terms of fandom and places the phenomenon within the unique space musical theatre inhabits in our world. It first traces the historical context of fandom, with its more limited means of expression prior to the advent of the internet, and then examines what it currently means to be a musical theatre fan, as fan culture shifts towards the digital. Finally, the book categorizes how fans express their affinities, through elements of community formation and generative fan culture, defining the parameters of contemporary musical theatre fandom.

Through case studies of shows such as Rent and Hamilton as well as a study of 'diva worship' this accessible introduction presents a multifaceted view of a passionate subculture often overlooked in academic discourse. Published in Methuen Drama's Topics in Musical Theatre series, Fandom in Musical Theatre will appeal to anyone interested in exploring the intersections of musical theatre culture, fan engagement and community formation.

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