Musical Theater Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

What are stage shows that are adaptations of nonmusical films called?

Musical theatre

What seems to be the modern formula for success in theatre?

A familiar story with a new twist

Strong dramatic situations

Big stars with name recognition

All of the above (correct)

What is the only form of theatre that is truly American?

Musical theatre

What is an opera generally characterized by?

Usually tragic, spectacle-oriented, everything sung Signup and view all the answers

Define operetta.

Light, silly with very little dialogue Signup and view all the answers

What was The Black Crook (1866) a combination of?

Melodrama mixed with a Parisian ballet Signup and view all the answers

Vaudeville was characterized by what type of performances?

Stringing together of unrelated acts of multiple variety Signup and view all the answers

How did vaudeville circuits transport acts?

By trains and vaudeville houses Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Ziegfeld Follies made for?

White Collar (elitist) audience Signup and view all the answers

Ziegfeld Follies music was by only one composer.

False Signup and view all the answers

Ziegfeld Follies had a plot.

False Signup and view all the answers

The Ziegfeld Follies Act I always ended with a what?

Big wedding scene Signup and view all the answers

What were the Ziegfeld Follies usually about?

The glorification of the American Woman Signup and view all the answers

Who started the Ziegfeld Follies in 1907?

Florenz Ziegfeld Signup and view all the answers

Many stars emerged from the Follies, including Ed Wynn, Billie Burke, and Bob Hope.

True Signup and view all the answers

What musicals were often silly comedies with romantic plots occurring within a 24-hour time period?

Musicals that were written in the 1910s-1920s Signup and view all the answers

What is SHOWBOAT known for?

It produced serious subject matter and had one composer and one lyricist. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of burlesque?

A variety of acts with a low morality focus, often vulgar Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes musicals of the 1920s-1930s?

Silly and complicated plots with a big opening number Signup and view all the answers

What was 'Oklahoma!' based on?

A play 'Green Grow the Lilacs' Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'book musical' focus on?

Story driven Signup and view all the answers

What defines a 'concept musical'?

Theme driven Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of Rock Musicals?

Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair Signup and view all the answers

What does a producer do in a musical?

May be one or many Signup and view all the answers

What does a composer do?

Writes the music Signup and view all the answers

What does a lyricist do?

Writes the lyrics Signup and view all the answers

Who creates the book for a musical?

Librettist Signup and view all the answers

What is a specialty advisor's role in a musical?

Combat, flying, roller skating, gymnastics Signup and view all the answers

What is nontraditional casting in Hamilton?

Diverse, color-blind casting Signup and view all the answers

What themes does the Book of Mormon address?

Society, sexuality, religion Signup and view all the answers

What are the main themes of Dear Evan Hansen?

Societal responsibility, parenting, bullying Signup and view all the answers

What themes does The Prom explore?

Inclusiveness, diverseness, social injustice Signup and view all the answers

What is the American musical?

A fusion of song, dance, spoken and sung dialogue, and visual elements; an essential form of entertainment in popular culture; a venue for expression of political and social themes that have shaped the American experience; a money-making enterprise, requiring enormous outlay of funds from wealthy sponsors; a genre that both shapes and has been shaped by American culture. Signup and view all the answers

The musical's origins lie in a fusion of different entertainment genres from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These are traditionally called __________ of the musical.

precursors, forerunners, or antecedents Signup and view all the answers

The early genres are not __________, the genre that eventually displaced all of them.

book musicals Signup and view all the answers

What are book musicals also known as?

Musical plays Signup and view all the answers

Many genres overlapped, coexisted with, and borrowed elements from one another.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the tradition of performers 'blacking up' called?

Minstrelsy Signup and view all the answers

Blackface minstrelsy started becoming popular around what year?

1843 Signup and view all the answers

Black Americans started performing in troupes regularly after __________.

the abolition of slavery Signup and view all the answers

In Dahomey (1903) is an early musical comedy drawing on the tradition of __________.

blackface minstrelsy Signup and view all the answers

What refers to theatrical presentations that used gestures done in silence?

Pantomime Signup and view all the answers

In the early history of the musical, __________ refers to classical dance with a storyline.

Ballet Signup and view all the answers

What featured dance, elaborate scenery and costumes, sets, and sophisticated stage machinery?

Spectacles Signup and view all the answers

What had elements of melodrama and fantasy in musicals?

Extravaganzas Signup and view all the answers

What genre emphasized broad comedy and sexual content?

Burlesque Signup and view all the answers

Evangeline (1874) was the first burlesque for which the music was newly written. What was the narrative poem it was based on?

Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie, 1847 Signup and view all the answers

What emerged in the last third of the nineteenth century, representing the use of short musical passages?

Melodrama Signup and view all the answers

The __________ emerged in the 1890s and remained popular to late 1930s.

revue Signup and view all the answers

What was the first successful American revue?

The Passing Show (1894) Signup and view all the answers

What genre represents entertainment that was considered highly disreputable and featured skits and specialized acts?

Variety Signup and view all the answers

Where did variety theatres begin to develop during the 1880s and 1890s?

They became the central venues for vaudeville. Signup and view all the answers

What is thought of as variety without alcohol and aimed at family audiences?

Vaudeville Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the first American musical?

Cohan's Little Johnny Jones (1904) Signup and view all the answers

What is Tin Pan Alley known for?

Early sheet music publishing and popular songs of America. Signup and view all the answers

Who played songs on a piano in music stores to interest customers in buying sheet music?

Song pluggers Signup and view all the answers

Most songs took the form of AABA, yielding what came to be known as __________.

song form Signup and view all the answers

What was of great significance in the development of the musical?

European opera Signup and view all the answers

The __________ that would become integral to the book musical is central to the operetta.

continuous narrative Signup and view all the answers

Musical theatre in the 1920s and 1930s was all about __________.

entertainment Signup and view all the answers

What was a crucial element in the early musical comedies of the 1920s and 1930s?

Dance—particularly tap dance— Signup and view all the answers

The plots of musical comedies are usually considered __________.

frivolous Signup and view all the answers

Musical comedies emphasize more on comedy and dance than on __________.

drama and character development Signup and view all the answers

The musical language of __________ greatly influenced musical theatre of the 1920s and 1930s.

jazz Signup and view all the answers

Who created many of the 1920s and 1930s most popular works?

George and Ira Gershwin Signup and view all the answers

What was the first musical to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama?

The Gershwins' Of Thee I Sing (1931) Signup and view all the answers

What dominated the 1940s and 1950s?

Book musical Signup and view all the answers

What kind of shows combined lighthearted elements with greater depth and more complex characters in the 1940s and 1950s?

Musicals Signup and view all the answers

Who is a towering figure in the history of American music?

Leonard Bernstein Signup and view all the answers

What began in the 1960s involving new ways of storytelling?

Creators of the musical explored new narrative structures. Signup and view all the answers

Perhaps the most significant change to occur in the book musical's development was the continued broadening of __________.

the types of subject matter Signup and view all the answers

What play features a narrator and many songs that comment on plot events?

Cabaret Signup and view all the answers

The most important alternative to the book musical to emerge in the 1970s was the __________.

concept musical Signup and view all the answers

What is often called a 'fully integrated' musical that won nine Tony awards?

A Chorus Line (1975) Signup and view all the answers

Who dominated Broadway in the 1970s and much of the 1980s?

Stephen Sondheim Signup and view all the answers

What was Sondheim's first show in which he composed all the music?

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962) Signup and view all the answers

A recurring theme in Sondheim's shows is the many different ways people __________.

communicate with each other—or do not—in relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first of Sondheim's collaborations?

Company (1970) Signup and view all the answers

Sondheim's shows often __________ because of his innovative approaches.

defy categorization Signup and view all the answers

Sondheim's prominence lasted into the __________.

1980s and 1990s Signup and view all the answers

Shows in which the visual spectacle is the main emphasis are known as __________.

megamusicals Signup and view all the answers

What represents the rock-influenced genre in musicals?

Rock musical Signup and view all the answers

Dreamgirls (1981) is a __________ musical.

Motown Signup and view all the answers

City of Angels (1989) represents the __________ musical.

jazz Signup and view all the answers

Shows that consist of existing pop songs are called __________.

jukebox musicals Signup and view all the answers

When has the musical's relationship with film been significant?

Since the 1930s. Signup and view all the answers

Many of the great shows of the 1940s and 1950s were made into films called __________.

movicals Signup and view all the answers

__________ are crossovers, of which The Producers represents a success.

Different kinds Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

American Musical Overview

The American musical is a blend of song, dance, dialogue, and visual elements, serving as a vital entertainment form in popular culture.
It reflects political and social themes and is driven by significant financial backing for large productions.

Origins and Genres

Early genres that contributed to the musical's evolution include precursors, forerunners, or antecedents.
The genre of book musicals evolved, featuring a structured storyline with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Minstrelsy and Early Entertainment

Minstrelsy involved white performers using blackface, evolving into a complex tradition involving black performers post-slavery.
It peaked in popularity around 1843, leading many to stereotype African American life through comic skits and songs.

Distinct Genres and Forms

Pantomime used silent gestures accompanied by instrumental music to create mood.
Ballet referenced classical dance with narrative elements, while spectacles involved elaborate scenery and stage machinery.
Extravaganzas combined lavish spectacle with elements of melodrama and fantasy, with "The Black Crook" as a notable example from 1866.

Burlesque and Melodrama

Burlesque emphasized broad comedy, innuendos, and parodying contemporary society, with "Evangeline" being an early musical comedy.
Melodrama utilized short musical pieces to enhance dramatic effect, paving the way for underscoring used in later musicals.

Revue and Variety

The revue format emerged in the 1890s, blending various performances under themes; "The Passing Show" was the first successful American revue.
Variety shows, popular in the late 19th century, featured unrelated acts and were often performed in saloons, leading to vaudeville—a family-friendly evolution of variety entertainment.

Evolution of the Musical

"Cohan's Little Johnny Jones" is recognized as the first American musical, showcasing the transition to structured musical formats.
Tin Pan Alley became synonymous with American music distribution, influencing the popularity of musical theatre.

Structure of Songs

Songs generally followed the AABA form, creating memorable hooks and contrasting sections.
European opera inspired American musical development, introducing elements of dramatic narrative.

The 1920s and 1930s

Musical theatre during these decades focused on entertainment, with dance becoming a vital component of the narrative.
The onset of jazz significantly shaped the musical scene, with influential figures like George and Ira Gershwin creating memorable works.

The Dominance of Book Musicals

The 1940s and 1950s solidified the book musical format, integrating songs into the narrative fabrics and allowing deeper character exploration.
Leonard Bernstein emerged as a key figure in musical composition, integrating dance and music in "On the Town."

1960s to 1980s Divergence

The 1960s marked experimentation with storytelling in musicals, leading to the emergence of concept musicals.
"A Chorus Line" is noted for its integrated format that prioritizes dance and won multiple Tony awards.

Stephen Sondheim's Impact

Sondheim revolutionized the genre with complex characters and innovative narratives in his shows, such as "Company" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."
His works increasingly examined human communication and relationships, solidifying his legacy in musical theatre.

Megamusicals and New Genres

Megamusicals emphasize grand visual spectacles and larger-than-life storytelling.
Rock musicals, like "Dreamgirls," and jazz-infused works, such as "City of Angels," highlight the genre's adaptability to various musical styles.

Jukebox Musicals and Adaptations

Jukebox musicals compile existing pop songs, reflecting the evolving landscape of musical theatre.
The blending of musicals with film adaptations is significant from the 1930s onward, expanding the reach of musical narratives.

Ziegfeld Follies

Ziegfeld Follies catered to an elite audience, characterized by its lavish productions.
The shows featured various composers, lacked a cohesive plot, and often concluded with extravagant wedding scenes.

Characteristics of Musical Theatre

Emphasizes entertainment value, innovative storytelling, and the integration of diverse musical styles.
The genre remains distinctly American, evolving continuously while maintaining core elements of song, dance, and narrative.### American Musical Theatre Origins
Glorification of the American Woman as central theme, featuring women in elegant costumes and simple choreography.
Women utilized as decorative elements in performances, often nude and immobile, enforcing strict rules against touching.
Choreography popularized by Busby Berkeley, employing kaleidoscope formations despite dancers lacking significant talent.

Florenz Ziegfeld and the Follies

Launch of "Ziegfeld Follies" in 1907 marked initiation of an annual theatrical event, lasting until 1936 before transitioning to radio and film.
Florenz Ziegfeld was the creative force behind this influential series.

Stars from the Follies

Numerous prominent stars emerged from the Follies, including Ed Wynn, Billie Burke, Fanny Brice, Bob Hope, and Will Rogers.

Characteristics of 1910s-1920s Musicals

Musicals featured silly comedies with romantic plots occurring within a 24-hour timeframe.
Songs often disconnected from the plot yet became popular music of the era.
Dance sequences served as spectacle, lacking narrative relevance, and many shows credited multiple composers.

Showboat (1927)

Produced by Ziegfeld, Showboat featured the collaboration of Jerome Kern (composer) and Oscar Hammerstein II (lyricist).
Spanning 30 years (1800s-1920s), the plot engaged serious themes like romantic disintegration, gambling, racism, and alcoholism.
Notable for inclusive casting, featuring both white and Black choruses.
Established the model for future writer/composer partnerships, leading to iconic duos like Gershwin and Rogers and Hammerstein.

Burlesque as Entertainment

Closely related to Vaudeville, burlesque showcased acts of low morality, combining sexual innuendo with comedic performances.
The rise of "talkies" diminished the roles of silent film stars, leading to the emergence of vulgar acts to attract theatergoers.
Authorities often intervened, resulting in the closure of theaters and imprisonment of performers for lewdness.

Evolution of 1920s-1930s Musicals

Musicals from this era depicted silly and complex plots with extravagant opening numbers.
Featured lead performers, comic roles, and distinctive choruses—both singing and dancing, primarily ballet.
Included minstrel shows, which illegally portrayed white performers in blackface.

Oklahoma! (1942)

Based on "Green Grow the Lilacs," a significant work by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Featured a straightforward plot initiated by a solo performer instead of a large ensemble.
Songs and dances contributed meaningfully, enhancing plot development and character backstories.

Development of the Musical

Characterized by triple threat performers (sing, dance, act) with choreographers like Jerome Robbins becoming integral to production.
Emerged trend towards ensemble casts, exemplified by "A Chorus Line."
Diversification of dance styles in musicals, incorporating jazz, tap, folk, and ballroom.

Changes in Music and Singing

Lack of microphones in traditional settings required singers to project over full orchestras.
Transition to recorded music altered audience tastes towards "American Idol"-style performers, especially after the adaptation of musicals to film.

Financial Aspects of Musicals

Rising production costs, typically ranging from $10 million to $20 million, with notable exceptions like SPIDERMAN at $75 million.
Ticket prices vary significantly, between $75 and $400, reflecting high financial stakes in production.

Types of Musicals

Book Musical: Story-driven formats, exemplified by "My Fair Lady," "Sound of Music," and "Oklahoma!".
Concept Musical: Theme-driven works such as "A Chorus Line," "Company," and "Cabaret."
Rock Musical: Includes shows like "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Hair"; characterized by grand spectacle, as seen in megamusicals like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Cats."
Jukebox Musical/Musical Revue: Revues drawing from existing music, popular titles include "Smokey Joe's Café" and "Ain't Misbehavin'."

Personnel in Musicals

Key roles include producers, composers, lyricists, librettists, directors, choreographers, and specialty advisors for specific skills.
Essential performers encompass leads, secondary roles, singers, and dancers.

Modern Themes and Casting

Nontraditional and diverse casting practices highlighted in productions like "Hamilton."
Significant themes explored in contemporary musicals include societal impacts, sexuality, and inclusiveness as seen in "Book of Mormon," "Dear Evan Hansen," and "The Prom."

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Explore the essence of the American musical through flashcards that explains its components, cultural significance, and economic impact. This quiz will enhance your understanding of how song and dance blend with storytelling in this captivating art form.