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Stephen F. Austin State University

An Analysis of Musicals by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and an Original Musical, Fly Like an Eagle

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have written musicals together for several decades. This thesis contains an in-depth discussion and stylistic analysis of several songs each from Once on This Island, Ragtime, and Seussical – three Ahrens & Flaherty shows chosen specifically because of their variety in style and subject matter. This analysis includes, among other things, the lyrics and lyric setting, textures, harmonic settings, accompaniment styles, rhythms, and harmonic progressions. The central portion of this document contains the music for nine songs of an original musical titled Fly Like an Eagle. This script is written by Daris Howard and is loosely based on the story of Jim Thorpe. This musical shows some of the styles found in the Ahrens and Flaherty musicals, and will also demonstrate effective use of lyrics, harmonic progressions, and dramatic situations, as Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have done.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Music
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
School of Music
Year dc:date.available
2019

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Howard, Donna
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Stephen Lias
  • Dr. Kristin Lyman
  • Dr. Tod Fish

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/233
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1277

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Stephen F. Austin State University
Base URL
scholarworks.sfasu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Howard, Donna. An Analysis of Musicals by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, and an Original Musical, Fly Like an Eagle. Thesis thesis, 2019. https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/233