PROJECT
DATE CLIENTOCTOBER 2012 J.W. PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL
AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATREMonday, March 18, 13
WHAT IS MUSICAL THEATRE?AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Monday, March 18, 13
Music, Acting & DancePerformers must be able to sing, dance and act (often at the same time!)
Performers usually wear costumes, wigs, and makeup
8 shows per week (sometimes 2 per day)
Can be a physically demanding job
Monday, March 18, 13
Behind the ScenesCrew members are in charge of lighting, sound, props/set pieces, drops, and any other necessary tasks vital to the performers
Often the unsung heroes of a performance
Set designers & costume designers
Monday, March 18, 13
The OrchestraOften placed in a “pit”, or a sunken space below the stage
Can feature 5-45 musicians at once
A conductor leads the group and is in charge of the overall music direction
Professionals are paid
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An Actor Prepares...The story and emotional content of the piece are communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the musical.
Equal weight given to the acting and the music = NOT A PLAY!
Monday, March 18, 13
How it all began...Early shows were designed to show off the popular songs of the day
Early musicals had romantic plots with aspects of comedy thrown in
Melodies HAD to be catchy---would assure the audience would walk away humming them
The songs were often written before a musical was even conceived
Monday, March 18, 13
“MAKE BELIEVE” FROM SHOW BOAT
Monday, March 18, 13
As musical theatre developed, the plots improved and became more intricate and complexAs a result, stories were more believable.
Monday, March 18, 13
LITERARY WORKS WERE OFTEN THE BASIS FOR PLOT LINES.THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, ROMEO AND JULIET, PYGMALION...
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A powerful pair: Rodgers and Hammerstein
Known for The Sound of Music, The King & I, and Oklahoma!
Worked together from 1943-1960
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A Groundbreaking “Oklahoma!”Offered the audience more than just laughter and dancing
Made audiences feel more emotions
Utilized a “dream ballet”
Themes significantly darker at times than previous musicals
Monday, March 18, 13
A Groundbreaking “Oklahoma!”Has gone on to become one of the best known musicals of all time
Still produced by companies today
Had a revival in the early 2000’s on Broadway
Once starred Hugh Jackman (Wolverine, X-Men, Les Miserables) as Curly
Monday, March 18, 13
“THE FARMER AND THE COWMAN” FROM OKLAHOMA
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HUGH JACKMAN DISCUSSING “OKLAHOMA!”
Monday, March 18, 13
RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN WENT ON
TO WRITE SMASH MUSICALS, SUCH AS...
Monday, March 18, 13
THE VILLAIN IS A
SUSPECTED MURDERER
AND PSYCHOPATH
DEALS WITH SPOUSAL ABUSE,
THIEVERY, SUICIDE AND
THE AFTERLIFE
EXPLORES INTERRACIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
HERO IS DOMINEERING
OVER WOMEN...AND DIES ONSTAGE
FAMILY IS PURSUED BY
NAZIS
BEFORE GOING TO THE NEXT SLIDE, MATCH EACH MUSICAL WITH ITS CORRESPONDING PLOT SUMMARY
Monday, March 18, 13
THE VILLAIN IS A SUSPECTED
MURDERER AND
PSYCHOPATH
DEALS WITH SPOUSAL ABUSE,
THIEVERY, SUICIDE AND
THE AFTERLIFE
EXPLORES INTERRACIAL
RELATIONSHIPS
HERO IS DOMINEERING
OVER WOMEN...AND DIES ONSTAGE
FAMILY IS PURSUED BY
NAZIS
THE ANSWERSMonday, March 18, 13
THE GOLDEN AGE OF MUSICAL THEATRE (C. 1944)AMERICANA ON DISPLAY
Monday, March 18, 13
The Golden Age“Americana” was displayed in musicals of the time period
WWII highly affected plot lines and characters
Plots usually had something to do with the war effort
Monday, March 18, 13
The Golden AgePlot lines driven from 4 ideals of the “American Dream”:
Stability and worth derives from a love relationship
A married couple should make a moral home with children away from the city
The woman's function was as homemaker and mother
Americans incorporate an independent and pioneering spirit or that their success is self-made.
Monday, March 18, 13
Monday, March 18, 13
ON THE TOWN
Monday, March 18, 13
“YOU CAN’T GET A MAN WITHOUT A GUN” FROM ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
Monday, March 18, 13
“BRUSH UP YOUR SHAKESPEARE” FROM KISS ME KATEMonday, March 18, 13
MUSICAL THEATRE IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL IN NEW YORK
CITY.
CLICK ON THESE CURRENT
MUSICALS WHICH ARE AMONG THE
HOTTEST TICKETS IN TOWN.
Monday, March 18, 13
Monday, March 18, 13
Monday, March 18, 13
Monday, March 18, 13