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
The North American Musical Film The musical film in the United States is largely associated with Broadway theatre. Broadway is an area in New York City where the biggest theatres are located, accommodating at least 500 people. Smaller theatres are said to be located Off-Broadway and even smaller theatres are called Off-Off-Broadway. Some notable musical films such as Chicago (2002), My Fair Lady (1964) and West Side Story (1961) were adapted from musical plays and trace their origins to Broadway
Andrew Lloyd Webber: A Musical Theatre Virtuoso For many, musical theatre is an experience that not only posses the power of entertainment, but the power of transformation. Masters of music such as Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Berstein, and George Gershwin used music as a theatrical element by which intense emotions and ever changing moods could be expressed. Their beautiful scores are regarded as the most impressive and moving in musical theatre history. Joining them at the top is Andrew Lloyd
1920s theatre, film, and television Did you know the nickname for the 1920s was “The silent era and pre talkies?” (1920s film history). That was a period of prosperity and social change. From the new fashion statement of short skirts and hair, to the growth of sports and the start of the Jazz era of music. The 1920s was one of the most important decades of time. A lot of things happened and started to trend, But the one that stood out to me the most is the historical, political, and social events
Introduction A trip to 42nd street circa 1990 was certainly no destination fit for a family. Walls of graffiti adorn the peeling awnings of storefronts and theatres promise private dances and live nude women. Porn shops dotted the city block with colorful invitations to sex hotlines and signs prohibiting entry to anyone under the age of eighteen (Wollman 445). Decades earlier, during the Prohibition era, speakeasies and brothels lined the city, creating New York’s red light district. Today’s Times
Jukebox musicals began in film and later shifted to theatre. They had begun to make theatre more popular with the public, which had begun to gravitate towards film and music. By combining the two, they gain some of the same as well as a whole new audience. I will discuss how this came to be by speaking of the shift that occurred. But what exactly is a jukebox musical? Well, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a musical as “(n) a film or theatrical production typically of a sentimental or humorous
There were many physical changes that took place with the theatres and the productions. Depression hit New York pretty hard, 1.6 million out of 7 million people were in some sort of welfare programs, as well as one third of the city’s factories were forced to be shutdown. Theatres were either closed down or were tuned into movie houses. Production output slowed down, before the depression there were 264 productions between 1927-28 and then during the depression, (1930-31) there was only 187 productions
someone else for a change. Together these two create Musical Theater, possibly one of the best two combinations known to man. Musical Theater is a worldwide form of entertainment that has been around since ancient times and exhibits emotion through a series of acts which include singing, dancing and scripted acting. Different areas of the world follow unique storylines which are relevant to their past and current events. The beginning of Musical Theater dates back to ancient times and originates mainly
Many people have probably heard of a musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. They wrote the music and lyrics for many theatre classics, including The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, The King and I, Carousel and South Pacific. Since their collaboration in the 1940’s and 1950’s, their musicals have been viewed by many, and their songs have become classics. Although they were not the only innovators in musical theatre, Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote many popular musicals,used new techniques, and won many awards;
known for her powerful voice and wide variety of works. Ethel Merman was a mezzo-soprano and never took voice lessons as a child. George Gershwin told her never to take voice lessons. choose to write about Ms. Merman because of her portrayal in the musical Gypsy as Rose. She was born on January 16, 1908 in Astoria, Queens. Ms. Merman was originally born as Ethel Anges Zimmermann. Her father was Edward Zimmermann and was an accountant while her mother, Anges, was a school teacher. Ms. Merman attended