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The American Musical
1. Define musical: plays set to music
2. The Modern American musical began
in the 1920’s with modern composers
George Gershwin & Irving Berlin.
3. Define musical comedies: silly stories
w/ lots of music and a chorus of
dancers
The American Musical
4. In 1927, Jerome Kern changed musical
theatre with his musical Showboat.
5. In what ways did Kern change musical
theatre?
a) Dealt with serious subject matter
b) Tied songs into the plot of the play.
6. How did the purpose of songs change after
Kern’s show? Songs were no longer
background, but used to tell the story.
The American Musical
7. With Oklahoma!, why did many feel this was
the true beginning of modern musical
theatre? All elements (music, dance,
dialogue & plot) were woven together to
create a totally integrated story.
8. Shows like Bye Bye Birdie, West Side Story,
Hair & Jesus Christ Superstar combine
musical interests with social issues.
9. Describe West Side Story: dramatic
retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in NY
with powerful songs and dances.
The American Musical
10. Explain why has there been a recent
movement toward smaller-cast, simpler
musicals in recent years. Many
communities cannot afford to stage bigbudget musicals.
11. What is the result of this movement toward
smaller musicals? Can be produced on a
smaller budget with lower admission
prices allowing musical theatre to gain a
wider audience.
The American Musical
12. List two examples of musicals:
a) With little or no dancing: Les Miserables,
The Spitfire Grill
b) With an abundance of dancing: A Chorus
Line, Chicago
c) All dancing: Contact, Movin’ Out
13. Define modern opera: all singing, no spoken dialogue
a) Examples: Joseph, Tommy, Jesus Christ
Superstar, Les Miserables, Phantom of
the Opera
14. What two things should an actor be able to do if he/she
is going to audition for musical theatre? Sing & dance
Musical Personnel
1. Why are musicals more complicated than
straight plays/dramas? Includes orchestra
music, elaborate sets, larger casts, lots
of costumes, special effects
2. Define Principals: actors in major roles
3. Define Chorus: groups of singers
providing the back up to the principals
Musical Personnel
4. What does the chorus do in a musical?
Harmonize, serve in crowd scenes &
production numbers
5. Define in stage director: the one who
directs the actors on stage
6. List the jobs of the on stage director: block
the actors, coaches actors on acting
scenes, looks at the overall style and
flow of the show
Musical Personnel
7. Define music director: person who directs
the musicians and singers
8. List the jobs of the musical director: works
with actors, singers and dancers on
vocal music, often conducts the
orchestra
9. Define choreographer: person responsible
for designing the show’s dance numbers
10. Define production number: elaborate song
and dance number with the full cast
Musical Personnel
11. How much do musicals cost:
a) High school: $2,000-15,000
b) Professional: up to 10 million
12. What is the producer’s job? Market
(sell) the show to a larger part of the
community (audience)
13. What is the business manager’s job?
Be in charge of the budget
Musical Theatre Vocabulary
1.
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4.
At the end of intermission, the lights go down and
the orchestra begins playing the entr’acte.
Jimmy is playing the role of “The King of Siam” in
the upcoming production of The King and I. He is
considered to be one of the principals in the
production.
It is important for the orchestra to have a copy of the
score of the show in order to play the music for the
performances.
The entire cast was present at the rehearsal to learn
the choreography for the song.
Musical Theatre Vocabulary
5. The audience erupted into a standing
ovation at the end of the production
number. The number included both the
principals and the chorus.
6. The orchestra did a beautiful job playing
both the overture at the beginning of the
play and the change music throughout the
performance.
7. The director blocked one of the crossover
scenes, while the actors read their lines
from the libretto.