Lights...Curtain...Act I Anyone who has seen a musical theatre production has seen the world through new eyes. They have most likely oohed and aahed at the scenery, the bright lights, the simple, yet effective costumes, and of course, the talent of the performers. The way the actors melodic voices carry out over the crowd, the way the choreography emanates their emotions, pouring heart and soul into their role. An audience member at a musical theatre production is whisked away into an alternate universe, where “troubles melt like lemon drops”(Harburg) and where “anything can happen”(Sherman). The troubles of the world fade away, if only for those few hours. To create this alternate universe, metaphorically speaking, is not a simple task, however. Multiple components go into producing a musical, including music, characters, and dialogue. Many people enjoy watching musical theatre, but do they really know how the magic happens? Musical theatre is a genre of drama in which singing and dancing play an essential part. The word “musical” originates from the Latin root, “musica”, of or related to music. The word “theatre” originally comes from the Greek word theasthai, which …show more content…
An ensemble is a group of extra characters who mostly participate in the big musical numbers of the show with energetic singing and dancing. Most plays (without music) have few characters, who play main roles and seldom require an ensemble. In musical theatre, however, an ensemble is used to support the main characters and add to the overall effect of the show. There is power in numbers, power in a song sung by thirty voices instead of one, power in a synchronized dance routine performed by forty dancers instead of one. Having the backup support from the ensemble also releases some stress from the actors playing the lead roles as well. If the ensemble has no energy, the entire show loses energy and
One of the main magic’s of the theatre is for the audience to go into it unaware of what they will see, and exit with a whole new view in mind. This is still possible in jukebox musicals even if the audience member is familiar with some of the songs. Songs, text, and all literature can be interpreted in different ways based on the individual. Theatre is meant for all different people to enjoy. Some may like going to a show featuring songs that their favorite artists wrote or that speak to a memorable time of their life. It becomes a discussion about how the audience can relate to the characters.
Above all, I wouldn’t be where I am today without theatre. Without the chance to perform throughout my life, I would be disconnected from the wide array of communities and histories that’s been imbedded in my daily routine. Unfortunately, it’s speculated that the theatre is a dying art form, because of the expanding popularities of movies (“Is”), but I think that it’ll remain a well renowned part of expressing imagination and interpreting history as years pass; it only takes cooperation with school faculty and young students that go above and beyond to change their
This essay is a comparison of two chosen songs one being from Sir Andrew Lloyd- Webber’s “Music of the Night from the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” and the other being “Defying Gravity” from Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Wicked”. These play rights are unique in that they portray different stories to their audiences musically as each song carries its own emotion and the music and lyrics enhances its portrayal. Webber Shows the Phantom’s
Reading these alien terms through its application in musical theater gave me a better understanding and at the same time shattered my susceptive way in enjoying a musical. From the stage direction, lyrics, books, and even costume design, I have started to read musicals differently in reference to the class material. I admit that I miss enjoying musical gullibly, but again, I found great joy in critically reading these musicals through a different performative
has been recognized as a new kind of musical play that denied its Broadway audiences many of their most treasured traditions, says David Ewen in American Musical Theatre. There was no opening chorus line, no chorus until midway through the first act, in fact. There was rather a serious ballet and other serious overtones, including a killing in act two. The story, which was so simple, seemed to engage the audience in more than mere evening diversion. (248) These changes, far from disappointing to viewers, were upheld by a success that had never been seen in the history of musical theatre.
Ancient Greek Theater is the first historical record of “drama,” which is the Greek term meaning “to do” or “to act.” Beginning in the 5th century BC, Greek Theater developed into an art that is still used today. During the golden age of the Athenians plays were created, plays that are considered among the greatest works of world drama. Today there are thousands of well-known plays and films based on the re-make of ancient drama.
Until the sixteenth century, the world used four main substances for commodity. These substances were; gold, silver, copper, and various shells. Out of all these substances it would be silver, that was used as a commodity and a type of currency. This allowed a all-encompassing network of global trade in the sixteenth century to be created. The need for silver grew from the sixteenth century until about 1750. China’s demand for silver served as an engine for world trade. The Japanese Tokugawa Shogunate and Spanish empire earned a substantial portion of silver profits from several of the mines they controlled.
Lastly, but likely the most important part of theater is the orchestra. In its simplest form the orchestra is simply a circular plot of land designated as a place for dance.
Many people simply show up to musicals and often take the costumes for granted and concentrate only the performance of the actors. Many people don’t realize the
The theatre that you are most familiar with today generally comes via the movie version of an originally staged play. But if we go back further, we find that most of the theatre that is written and performed today can be traced back to Greek origins through various
Musical Theatre is an art that I always envisioned myself pursing at the collegiate level and what I want to make a career out of as well. My perfect musical theatre program that I would want, would be a program that would help me to achieve a better understanding of who I am as a musical theatre artist first and then hopefully I can expand my artistic goals and further develop myself through whichever institution that I am attending. The musical theatre training that I have received in high school through my creative arts high school New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) whether its been in dance, vocal, acting, or the productions that I have been cast
A musical film is a genre of movie where songs sung by characters are added into the storyline, occasionally complemented by choreography. The musical numbers in these films do not always develop the plot and characters, but they do give the films a more exciting quality. The primary difference between musical theatre and film musicals is the use of extravagant scenery that would be extraordinarily unreasonable for a stage performance. While making movies, the individuals involved have the luxury of being able to shoot multiple takes and have the time to move backgrounds around or change their entire location. Stage performances, on the other hand, must have scenery that can be easily and efficiently moved on and offstage when it is needed. In order to be able to thoroughly comprehend this relatively recent- in the grand scheme of things- form of entertainment, one should understand the history behind these musical films, be aware of some of the “big names” that are well-known, and recognize major titles that revolutionized musical film forever (Scaruffi, P., 2005).
The progression of genetic engineering is inevitable due to its ability to prevent genetic diseases, but with its progression there are ethical concerns that coincides with its development. One such concern will be the enhancement of human traits, as people argue that it violates the right of a baby, as well as “playing god”, and will lead to a eugenic society. However, these argument only provide some truth, as they reflect genetic engineering in a bad light. In the case of violating the baby’s right, genetic enhancement could improve the baby’s success in life and provide some equality in the unfair genetic lottery, but people find it to be in violation of the baby’s right because it is done without the consent of the unborn child. This in
Slaves felt inferior to their masters and completely subordinate as human beings. They did not like their circumstance of being another human’s property and understood that in order to survive, they had to accommodate what they could not change. The “Peculiar Institution” was named to lessen the harsh definition of slavery, which was delusional vision on the part of antebellum Southern capitalist. Masters valued slaves for the labor they produced and the amount of capital each one could generate, not necessarily as human’s with minds, souls, or emotions; any slave that did not hold up his or her value could easily be replaced or disposed of. Some slaves honored their masters and mistresses, however most were not happy about their lives
I’ve adored theatre for as long as I can remember. From writing plays throughout elementary school, to being involved in Drama Club in middle school, to performing in community theatre in high school, and to visiting the theatre as often as I could from the very beginning, theatre has always been a part of my life. Every aspect of it engages me: the directors working to bring their vision of the show’s scenes, choreography, or music to life, the actors transforming into different characters through their expression of dialogue, song, or dance, the costumers and set-builders transporting the audience into the setting and time period with their artistry, the backstage tech and crew working quickly and precisely to keep the show flowing to curtain call, and the orchestra bringing the show to life through music. There is nothing like the experience of live theatre, both as a member of the audience and as a member of the cast and crew.