sexuality and courtships of 19th century vienna vs 21st century america through the roles of alfred

122 Pages·2008·3.96 MB·English

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2008
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James Haynie
University of Central Florida
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Haynie, James, "Sexuality And Courtships Of 19th Century Vienna Vs 21st Century America Through The
Roles Of Alfred And Sam In Romance, Romance" (2008). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019.
3812.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/3812
SEXUALITY AND COURTSHIPS OF 19th CENTURY VIENNA
VS 21st CENTURY AMERICA THROUGH THE ROLES OF
ALFRED AND SAM IN ROMANCE, ROMANCE

by

JAMES PHILLIP HAYNIE
BA Theatre from Mercer University 2005

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Masters of Fine Arts
in the Department of Theatre
in the College of Arts and Humanities
at the University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida

Fall Term
2008
© 2008 JP Haynie

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ABSTRACT
For my thesis, I plan to research the sexuality and the process
of courtship, and the differences between 19th century Vienna and
modern America, specifically as to how it relates to my
characters in Romance, Romance. My interest in the topic
springs directly from the script. What I mean is, my initial
idea of sexuality of the 19th century is very Victorian and
straight-laced, where as I think of modern day as very sexually
liberated. However, in the script, the first act, set in
Vienna, is much more sexually explicit and active.

In fact, the second act is all building up to an affair that
does not even occur. Working as these characters, I believe
that a historical view of what sexuality was actually like
outside of Victorian England will lead me to a much better
understanding of my character, and his particular past and
desires for both sexual partners and potential mates.

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I also believe this research will assist me in constructing the
modern character of Sam who can all at once love his wife,
desperately want an affair, and cower away from said affair when
the opportunity finally arises.

Another interesting impact this research will create for my work
is the juxtaposition of these two time periods and their
individual codes of etiquette for behavior in this play. While
the play is divided into two separate one-acts, they are
presented together as one collective work, so the combination of
each piece clearly leads to comparisons and further
understanding of the other play.

I believe this research will not only enlighten me about these
two eras but also enlighten my performance, and assist me in
effectively carrying out this complex pair of roles with a
richer character developed. It also will provide me with a
better understanding of the juxtaposition of these two plays,
why they are paired together in the way they have been, and how
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this juxtaposition is effective in this particular work of
musical theatre.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES................................................ x
LIST OF TABLES................................................ xi
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT........................ 1
CHAPTER TWO RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS.............................. 4
Sexuality in the Worlds of the Play .......................... 4
Sexuality of the Turn of the Century ....................... 4
Modern Sexual Norms ....................................... 10
Is the Human Animal Naturally Monogamous? ................. 12
The Affair ................................................ 14
Production History of ―Romance, Romance‖ .................... 17
The Authors ............................................... 17
Original Production ....................................... 19
CHAPTER THREE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS............................. 21
Analysis of Overall Script .................................. 21
Aristotelian Analysis of Narrative of Act One ............. 21
Aristotelian Analysis of Narrative of Act Two ............. 24
Structure of Script and Score ............................. 26
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Micro-Analysis of Scenes and Songs .......................... 41
Scene Analysis: Act One-Scene One ......................... 41
Scene Analysis: Act One-Scene Three ....................... 42
Song Analysis: ―It‘s Not Too Late‖ ........................ 44
Scene Analysis: Act One-Scene Four ........................ 48
Song Analysis: ―Oh What a Performance‖ .................... 50
Song Analysis: ―I‘ll Always Remember the Song‖ ............ 53
Song Analysis: ―Happy, Happy, Happy‖ ...................... 55
Scene Analysis: Act One-Scene Six ......................... 58
Song Analysis: ―Women of Vienna‖ .......................... 59
Song Analysis: ―A Rustic Country Inn‖ ..................... 64
Scene Analysis: Act One-Scene Eight ....................... 67
Scene Analysis: Act One-Scene Nine ........................ 68
Scene Analysis: Act One-Scene Ten ......................... 70
Scene Analyisis: Act Two-Scene One ........................ 71
Scene Analysis: Act Two-Scene Two ......................... 72
Song Analysis: ―It‘s Not Too Late (Reprise)‖ .............. 72
Song Analysis: ―Let‘s Not Talk About It‖ .................. 75
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Song Analysis: ―So Glad I Married Her‖ .................... 77
Scene Analysis: Act Two-Scene Six ......................... 79
Song Analysis: ―Words He Doesn‘t Say‖ ..................... 80
Scene Analysis: Act Two-Scene Seven ....................... 83
Song Analysis: ―Moonlight Passing Through a Window‖ ....... 83
Scene Analysis: Act Two-Scene Ten ......................... 86
Song Analysis: ―Romantic Notions‖ ......................... 86
CHAPTER FOUR ANALYSIS OF ROLES................................ 89
Character Analysis of Alfred ................................ 90
Location of Play and Character ............................ 90
Character History ......................................... 90
Character Traits .......................................... 91
Character Evolution ....................................... 92
Character Analysis of Sam ................................... 93
Location of Play and Character ............................ 93
Character History ......................................... 93
Character Traits .......................................... 94
Character Evolution ....................................... 95
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Playing Both Sam and Alfred ................................. 96
CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION....................................... 97
APPENDIX MFA Thesis Committee Chair Performance Response...... 99
APPENDIX COMMENTS FROM THE AUTHOR............................ 104
LIST OF REFERENCES........................................... 108

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