So Far, We Are Being Alive When it's Time: The Correlation Between Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Allegro', Stephen Sondheim's 'Company', and the Impact of Concept Musicals on 21st Century Theatr

This thesis will explore the musical Company and how it has impacted "Concept" musicals throughout American Musical's history. The thesis will present the argument of how Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, Allegro, inspired Sondheim to create the first concept musical. The thesis will also relay information about how Sondheim developed an influential style that has progressed through modern-day musicals such as Green Day's American Idiot. Including detailed information, textual and song analysis, and aesthetic approach, this thesis will furthermore explain the transition of the concept musical from 20th Century to Contemporary Musical Theatre, from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Stephen Sondheim to Billy Joe Armstrong.