Our Unit - musical Theatre Performance Contexts

EPMT464

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

1. An Introduction – “Putting It Together”
2. The Analyses - “The Blob"
3. Self Analysis - "Why God"
4. The Vaudeville, Music Hall & Cabaret – “Razzle Dazzle”
5. The Revue – “Opening Doors”
6. Reading Week
7. The Golden Age Of Musicals I - “O’ What A Beautiful Morning!”
8. The Golden Age Of Musicals II – “As Long As He Needs Me”
9. The Concept Musical - “Side by Side by Side”
10. The Mega Musical - “Endgame”
11. The Rockbox Musical – “Superstar”
12. The Meta-Musical - “Hello”

Module consists of 20 Sessions

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

13.  The Fringe, Political & Irreverent Musical - “I Don’t Do That"

14.   Stephen Sondheim I - "On The Steps Of The Palace"

15.   Stephen Sondheim II - "Epiphany"

16.   Stephen Sondheim II - "Epiphany"

 Assessment Week [Performing Arts Wide]

17.   Essay Title / Plan Briefing

          Reading Week

18.   Tutorials & Essay Support

19.   Tutorials & Essay Support - Essay Plan Due

20.   Tutorials & Essay Support

          Final Submission - Essay TBC

email: adamblosse@me.com

Handbook

LINK

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Putting It Together - Elements of a musical

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

What is a musical?

List five musicals you know.

Let's talk about our salient experiences with said musicals.

What is the point of a musical?

List the elements

of a musical.

Title Text

KENRICK:

LINK

Title Text

Title Text

Questions?

A Musical - Tips Of The Hat

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

The following video is a clip from the show Something Rotten set in Shakespearean times.

Our protagonist Nick, beget with jealousy over the 'Will Power' of Shakespeare's stage plays, he wishes there was a way to top him, and seeks a soothsayer. He finds one named Nostradamus. Nick asks him what the next big thing in theatre will be...

Try to note down how many references you catch!

Knowledge of Reference

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Question the impact a reference or 'quote' creates:

• Where can quotes be used without hindrance?

• If you agree it is. Why is it so successful in this format?

• Does the song 'improve' if you know all the references?

• What would that propose to the individual perspective if so?

Score introduction

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Here's a score of 'A Musical' from Something Rotten:  LINK

There is a lot to absorb.

As we go through this together and re-listen to the song, note down anything you don't understand.  The easiest way to refer to it in the future is by using bar numbers. 

Take-away: Idea of knowledge creating new experiences for the individual.

Aspects of Love - The Team

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

 Focusing on the roles of staff within a Musical Theatre production.

List the responsibilities and examples of the following roles:

+ Composer        + Director       +Lyricist       +Muscial Director

+Orchestrator       +Choreographer       +Book Writer

+Stage Manager       +Lighting Designer        +Sound Designer

+Costume Designer       +Performer 

The Composer

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Creates the music; melodies and chord changes.  To hone theatre craft, to tell stories directly to the heart, to mess with heads, mavericks and stoics.  To develop and provoke emotion, meaning, depth and if you're lucky, transcendence. 

Works with the Lyricist, Orchestrator and Book Writer to create a cohesive whole.

Examples include: Stephen Sondheim,

Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Kander

The Lyricist

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Writes the words to the melodies created by the composer.  In my opinion the most difficult job in the biz.  To ground and anchor the abstract to the logos, to share and explicitly state ideas.

Works with the Composer and Book Writer to ensure the lyrics fit the music and suit the characters and narrative.

Examples include: Stephen Sondheim, Tim Rice, Fred Ebb

The Orchestrator 

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Arranges the music the composer created for the instruments, e.g. full orchestra or rock band.  To add the colours and textures required to fully realise the composer's vision, the unsung hero of the pit.

Works with the Composer and Book Writer to ensure the right fullness of sound for all sections of music.

Examples include: Jonathan Tunick, William David Brohn, Michael Starobin

The Book Writer 

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Produces/organises the Book – writes the script or dialogue. Responsible for shaping the musical, e.g. plot and dramatic structure.  The focal point of all creative work stems from here.

Works with the Composer, Lyricist and Book Writer to define the dramatic action of the musical.

Examples include: Alan Jay Lerner, Terrence McNally,

Hugh Wheeler

The Director, Musical Director and Choreographer

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

The Trifecta.  The Triforce. The Powerpuff Girls.

The Director: has the vision for the whole musical and liaises with the creative team to ensure their vision is realised. He works with the performers to enhance the performance.

Examples include: Harold Prince, Trevor Nunn, Julie Taymor

Musical Director takes the Book, the score and the director’s vision and works to realise the music. They work with the orchestra/musicians and the vocalists to ensure the music and song is executed to a high standard and in line with the demands of the musical and comes from a place of authenticity. 

Examples include: Paul Gemignani, Nick Finlow, Mike Dixon

The Choreographer creates the dance routines within the musical, working with

the director and the musical director to ensure the routines reflect their vision.

They work with the dancers and the dance captains to ensure the choreography

is realised and performed perfectly.

Examples include: Agnes de Mille, Gillian Lynne, Jerome Robbins, Bob Fosse.

The Performer

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

The performers are the people who realise the vision of the creative team by applying the guidance they have received in rehearsals and their expert skills in live performance. They will work with the director, movement director, musical director and choreographer, as well as stage managers and the crew and wardrobe staff.

Examples include: Bernadette Peters, Matthew Morrison, Angela Lansbury, Renée Elise Goldsberry.

Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee - A Song's Functional Identity

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

What is the purpose of a song in a musical?

Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee - A Song's Functional Identity

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

A song within a musical can have multiple functions.

+ Opening Number          + ‘I Want’ Song.     +Conditional Love Song
+Plotless Act Two Opener     +11 o’clock Number         +The Reprise
+‘I Am’ Song      +Inner Monologue Song     +Emotional Climax Song
+Exposition Song           +Conflict Song                +Narration Song
+Summary Song          +Comment Song          +Parodies             +Finale

Let me know a song from each category as a class; ask questions about the ones you don't know. I'll play out a couple examples live.

• We will be re-visiting this concept in detail within the course.

Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee - A Song's Functional Identity

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

Try to memorise these categories so you can have a more embodied reaction to what a song's function can be.

Imagine you know most 'want' songs, and then you visit a new show.  A new 'want song' crops up, and you're listening.  You notice your ability to critique and develop your contextual knowledge is amplified and incredibly useful to help either appreciate or denigrate the song's ability and status as a separate entity.

I Know Things now - A Cheat's Guide to Contextualistaion

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

What is context?

What happens if you either miss out on the context or are oblivious to it?  Does it matter?

How do we critique our own experiences as good or bad?

How do we judge a piece of art if it changes within our own timeframe of life?  If memory is flawed how do we relive our salient experiences truthfully?

I Know Things now - A Cheat's Guide to Contextualistaion

Musical Theatre

An Introduction

You are effectively trying to survey the land for as much knowledge about a particular subject or valence as possible.  You then steel man the opposing view point to your initial reaction, you find works that either critique or praise and put them against each other.  You argue for both sides and then clean up the aftermath.

This will then give you confidence in your opinion.

Let's test a hypothesis with the song: "I Know Things Now" from Into The Woods.

[if you know the song well, a silence bargain would be welcome]

What happened?