Musical Theatre Notes

Broadway Overview

  • Present-day Broadway primarily focuses on musical theatre.
  • Historically, straight plays (nonmusical) were dominant until mid-20th century.

Elements of Musical Theatre

  • Key Personnel:
    • Choreographer: Designs dance numbers.
    • Music Director: Works with performers on pitch and rhythm.
    • Onstage Director: Directs actors in their acting and singing.
    • Principals: Main actors; start in chorus roles.
    • Chorus: Backup singers and dancers.

Historical Development

  • 1920s: Birth of modern musical with composers like Gershwin and Berlin.
  • 1927: "Showboat" integrates serious themes and plot-driven songs.
  • 1943: "Oklahoma!" sets the standard for fully integrated musicals.

Genres and Styles

  • Musicals can range from complex choreography to modern operas with no spoken dialogue (e.g., "Les Misérables").
  • Recent trends include smaller-scale productions that are more accessible.

Production Considerations

  • Costs: High school productions can run from $2000 to $15,000; professional productions can exceed $10 million.
  • Space Requirements: Musicals need large facilities for dance numbers.
  • Audience Engagement: Importance of captivating audiences with themes and production quality.

Proposal Development for a Musical

  1. Subject Choice: Consider themes like family, friendship, sports, etc.
  2. Character Development: Define main characters, their goals, and challenges.
  3. Plot Synopsis: Outline story beginning, theme, events, and ending.
  4. Theme Statement: Summarize the musical’s dominant idea in one sentence.
  5. Presentation Tips: Be familiar with the proposal, use expressive language, and engage the audience.

Career Insights

  • Successful musical actors often start in the chorus and must have vocal training and dancing skills.
  • Choreographers require a multifaceted skill set including knowledge of movement and directorial experience.

Contemporary Trends

  • Musical theatre is becoming increasingly high-tech and financially demanding.
  • Despite the trend toward spectacle, smaller musicals remain popular due to their charm and accessibility.