Appreciating Appreciating MusicalsMusicals

Musical TheaterMusical Theater

Opera-performance in which all or Opera-performance in which all or most of the story is sungmost of the story is sung

Operetta-less serious form of opera Operetta-less serious form of opera with spoken dialoguewith spoken dialogue

Musical TheaterMusical Theater

Musical Plays-pack meaning into stories, Musical Plays-pack meaning into stories, probe deep into the personalities of the probe deep into the personalities of the characters, and present innovative musiccharacters, and present innovative music

Musical Comedies-light in theme; feature Musical Comedies-light in theme; feature comedy and songs woven into storycomedy and songs woven into story

Movie Musicals-movie version of musicalMovie Musicals-movie version of musical

The BookThe Book

Plot-route story takes from opening to Plot-route story takes from opening to conclusionconclusion

Dialogue-conversation between the Dialogue-conversation between the performersperformers

Five Functions of LyricsFive Functions of Lyrics

Express emotionsExpress emotions

Establish characterEstablish character

Establish settingEstablish setting

Establish themeEstablish theme

Pacing and entertainmentPacing and entertainment

SongsSongs

The composer must make the rhythm The composer must make the rhythm of the words fit the melody of the of the words fit the melody of the song.song.

If the music is composed first, then If the music is composed first, then the lyricist must make the words fit the lyricist must make the words fit the rhythm.the rhythm.

The ScoreThe Score

The overture is the orchestral music The overture is the orchestral music heard before the curtain opens.heard before the curtain opens.

The first piece after the curtain opens is The first piece after the curtain opens is called the opening number.called the opening number.

Reprise-song heard a second time in a Reprise-song heard a second time in a musicalmusical

DanceDance

Solo dance-expresses a performer’s Solo dance-expresses a performer’s thoughts or feelings without thoughts or feelings without

uttering wordsuttering words

Ballet-can tell a story by itself without Ballet-can tell a story by itself without words using only movements of dancerswords using only movements of dancers

DanceDance

Production number (chorus)-involves Production number (chorus)-involves many dancers, is exciting to watch, many dancers, is exciting to watch, requires much requires much

precision and practiceprecision and practice

The ProductionThe Production

Director-manages the stage productionDirector-manages the stage production

Producer-secures financial backing for Producer-secures financial backing for the showthe show

Scenery helps establish setting and Scenery helps establish setting and costumes make characters more costumes make characters more believable. believable.