Transformacja postaci kobiety jako zwierciadło przemian społeczno-kulturowych w musicalu polskim po 1989 r. Prolegomena

The aim of the article is to analyse the portrayals of women in musicals, which are not only representative and pivotal to how women are perceived but – most importantly – reflect the socio-cultural transformations that have occurred in Polish society since 1989. Moreover, the musical as a genre, situated within contemporary culture, functions as a mirror of the current human condition and increasingly contributes to shaping it. The analysis encompasses stage musicals ranging from the now-classic Metro, through Polita (inspired by the biography of Pola Negri), Irena (dedicated to Irena Sendler), to the rap musical 1989. The research material is examined in the context of the multifaceted changes in women’s roles and societal positions, particularly through gender and social lenses, while taking into account the American origins of the genre and its evolution within the Polish cultural landscape. The article is grounded in critical analysis and interpretation of cultural texts, drawing on cultural studies, gender studies, and cultural performance theory. It ultimately identifies the musical as a medium for shaping and redefining cultural identities, in which the transformation of female characters serves as a meaningful reflection of the social changes and values characteristic of contemporary Poland.