Introduction to Introduction to Musical TheaterMusical Theater

Three main forms of Three main forms of artart

MusicMusic

DanceDance

Spoken dialogueSpoken dialogue

Three components of the Three components of the musicalmusical

BookBookThe dialogueThe dialogueWritten by the librettistWritten by the librettist

MusicMusicWritten by the composerWritten by the composer

LyricistLyricist

The very beginning…The very beginning…

OperaOperaRecitative and AriaRecitative and Aria

What is the difference between opera What is the difference between opera and musical theater?and musical theater?

1818thth Century (1700’s) Century (1700’s)

Opera developed into comic opera.Opera developed into comic opera.Original scoresOriginal scoresParody of operaParody of opera

Ballad operasBallad operasUsed popular music of the time and Used popular music of the time and

incorporated it into a storyline.incorporated it into a storyline.

1919thth Century (1800’s) Century (1800’s)

VaudevilleVaudevilleSmall vignettes of singing, dancing and Small vignettes of singing, dancing and

actingactingSeparate unrelated actsSeparate unrelated actsComedians, singers, acrobatsComedians, singers, acrobats

BurlesquesBurlesquesRhyming couplet dialogueRhyming couplet dialoguePopular music with changed lyricsPopular music with changed lyrics

Audience would recognize the music.Audience would recognize the music.

The Black CrookThe Black Crook

Charles M. Barras, playwrightCharles M. Barras, playwrightGuiseppi Operti and George Bickwell, Guiseppi Operti and George Bickwell,

musicmusicPremiered in 1866Premiered in 1866Considered the first show to conform Considered the first show to conform

to what we consider the modern to what we consider the modern musicalmusical

Song and dance helped to convey the Song and dance helped to convey the story.story.

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur W.S. Gilbert and Arthur SullivanSullivan

Gilbert – librettistGilbert – librettistSullivan – composerSullivan – composerVERY famous duo in musical theaterVERY famous duo in musical theaterWrote several comic operas:Wrote several comic operas:

H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, The Pirates H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzanceof Penzance

1920’s1920’s

Theater began to have competition Theater began to have competition with motion picturewith motion pictureSilent movies and movies with soundSilent movies and movies with sound

Musicals began to pull in big stars of Musicals began to pull in big stars of the time to compete with the big the time to compete with the big screenscreen

Less attention to plotLess attention to plot

1920’s cont.1920’s cont.

Show BoatShow BoatSolidifies musical genre with all aspectsSolidifies musical genre with all aspects

Lady Be Good!; No, No Nanette; Oh! Lady Be Good!; No, No Nanette; Oh! KayKay

George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Richard Rogers, Lorenz Hart, Kern, Richard Rogers, Lorenz Hart, Fred and Adele AstaireFred and Adele Astaire

1930’s1930’s

Great Depression and chap “talkies” Great Depression and chap “talkies” presented new challengespresented new challenges

Of Thee I Sing!Of Thee I Sing!19311931George and Ira GershwinGeorge and Ira GershwinWon Pulitzer PrizeWon Pulitzer Prize

1930’s (cont)1930’s (cont)

Anything Goes!Anything Goes!Starred Ethel Merman – Starred Ethel Merman –

first woman of musical theaterfirst woman of musical theaterCole PorterCole Porter

On Your Toes!; Can-Can; The Boys On Your Toes!; Can-Can; The Boys from Syracusefrom Syracuse

1940’s1940’s

Richard Rogers and Oscar Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein team up for Hammerstein team up for Oklahoma!Oklahoma!

Follows in the steps of Follows in the steps of Show BoatShow Boat by by integrating all aspects of musical integrating all aspects of musical theater.theater.

Hypothetical Love Song – Hypothetical Love Song – People Will People Will Say We’re In LoveSay We’re In Love

1940’s (cont)1940’s (cont)CarouselCarousel

One of the first to incorporate a tragic plot.One of the first to incorporate a tragic plot.Hypothetical Love Song – “If I Loved You”Hypothetical Love Song – “If I Loved You”

South PacificSouth Pacific – Rogers and Hammerstein – Rogers and Hammerstein

Annie Get Your GunAnnie Get Your Gun

Kiss Me KateKiss Me Kate

1950’s1950’s

Rogers and Hammerstein – ended Rogers and Hammerstein – ended their reigntheir reignThe King and I, Sound of MusicThe King and I, Sound of Music

Leonard BernsetinLeonard BernsetinWest Side StoryWest Side Story

1960’s1960’s

Steven SondheimSteven SondheimBegan to emerge in this decadeBegan to emerge in this decadeA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to

the Forum the Forum Anyone Can WhistleAnyone Can Whistle

The Fantasticks; Fiddler on the Roof; The Fantasticks; Fiddler on the Roof; Man of La Mancha; Hello, Dolly!; Man of La Mancha; Hello, Dolly!; Cabaret; MameCabaret; Mame

1970’s1970’s

Rock MusicalsRock MusicalsJesus Christ Superstar; Godspell; Rocky Jesus Christ Superstar; Godspell; Rocky

Horror ShowHorror ShowAfrican-American influenceAfrican-American influence

Dream Girls; The WizDream Girls; The WizSondheim continuedSondheim continued

Sunday in the Park with George; Into the Sunday in the Park with George; Into the Woods; Sweeney Todd; CompanyWoods; Sweeney Todd; Company

1980’s and 1990’s1980’s and 1990’s

More pop=influenced musicMore pop=influenced musicExtravigant sets, casts, effectsExtravigant sets, casts, effectsPhantom of the Opera; Evita, Miss Phantom of the Opera; Evita, Miss

Saigon; Les MiserablesSaigon; Les MiserablesBeauty and the Beast; Lion King; Beauty and the Beast; Lion King;

Little MermaidLittle MermaidRent – Rent – rock opera based on rock opera based on La La

BohemeBoheme

2000’s2000’s

More extreme approachesMore extreme approachesUrinetown; Avenue Q; The 25Urinetown; Avenue Q; The 25thth Annual Annual

Putnam County Spelling BeePutnam County Spelling BeeLiterature adaptationsLiterature adaptations

Wicked; Little Women; DraculaWicked; Little Women; DraculaFilm AdaptationsFilm Adaptations

The Producers; Hairspray; Legally The Producers; Hairspray; Legally Blonde; Spamalot, Dream GirlsBlonde; Spamalot, Dream Girls

The End!The End!