music in musical theatre and film. music in musical theatre and film: musical theatre drama and...

Music in Music in Musical Theatre Musical Theatre

and Filmand Film

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Musical TheatreMusical Theatre

Drama and music have existed as independent Drama and music have existed as independent expressions of art for thousands of years. It expressions of art for thousands of years. It was not until the seventeenth century that the was not until the seventeenth century that the two art forms blended to create a new art form, two art forms blended to create a new art form, opera. opera. Opera continued to evolve over the Opera continued to evolve over the next three centuries, resulting in another new next three centuries, resulting in another new art form:art form: musical theatremusical theatre. From its American . From its American roots, musical theatre has gained popularity roots, musical theatre has gained popularity around the world. Its unique and accessible around the world. Its unique and accessible blend of drama and music continue to attract blend of drama and music continue to attract new fans today.new fans today.

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:An Introduction to Musical TheatreAn Introduction to Musical Theatre

During the 1800s, opera as an art form During the 1800s, opera as an art form continued to evolve, but in two entirely opposite continued to evolve, but in two entirely opposite directions. In Germany, composers like Richard directions. In Germany, composers like Richard Wagner wrote lengthy “heroic” operas that took Wagner wrote lengthy “heroic” operas that took as many as six hours to perform. Meanwhile, in as many as six hours to perform. Meanwhile, in Paris and Vienna, a lighter, more sentimental Paris and Vienna, a lighter, more sentimental form of comic opera was finding favor with form of comic opera was finding favor with opera-goers. opera-goers. These “light operas,” or These “light operas,” or operettasoperettas, , were actually were actually stage plays with songs and dance stage plays with songs and dance interspersed with spoken linesinterspersed with spoken lines. .

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:The Birth of the Broadway MusicalThe Birth of the Broadway Musical

Toward the end of the century, the operetta crossed the Toward the end of the century, the operetta crossed the Atlantic, where it underwent a transformation. Ultimately it Atlantic, where it underwent a transformation. Ultimately it evolved into a evolved into a dramatic stage form that combines the art of dramatic stage form that combines the art of acting and singingacting and singing. The . The Broadway musicalBroadway musical had been born. had been born.

Like jazz, the Broadway musical – or simply “musical” – is a Like jazz, the Broadway musical – or simply “musical” – is a uniquely uniquely American inventionAmerican invention. Its forerunners included not only . Its forerunners included not only operettas but minstrel shows and operettas but minstrel shows and vaudevillevaudeville. . VaudevilleVaudeville was was an early staged variety show that included songs, dances and an early staged variety show that included songs, dances and comedy skitscomedy skits..

One of the first composers of Broadway musicals was George One of the first composers of Broadway musicals was George M. Cohan. His first show was M. Cohan. His first show was Little Johnny Jones Little Johnny Jones (1904). (1904). “Give My Regards to Broadway,” a song Cohan wrote for the “Give My Regards to Broadway,” a song Cohan wrote for the show, became a classic in its own right. More importantly, the show, became a classic in its own right. More importantly, the song contained the first-ever reference to song contained the first-ever reference to BroadwayBroadway as a as a synonym for “musical theatre.”synonym for “musical theatre.”

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:The Classic Broadway MusicalThe Classic Broadway Musical

In the 1920sIn the 1920s, the Broadway musical underwent some refinements. Although , the Broadway musical underwent some refinements. Although the emphasis was still on music, the emphasis was still on music, the stories began to assume more of the the stories began to assume more of the characteristics of actual drama. characteristics of actual drama. These included richer plotlines and These included richer plotlines and carefully scripted carefully scripted dialoguedialogue, , the spoken lines of a play or musical showthe spoken lines of a play or musical show. . During this era, composers such as George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and During this era, composers such as George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Cole Porter emerged on the scene. Among their legendary contributions to Cole Porter emerged on the scene. Among their legendary contributions to musical theatre were musical theatre were Lady Be Good, Show Boat, Lady Be Good, Show Boat, and and Anything GoesAnything Goes..

After World War IIAfter World War II, composers and lyricists further developed the musical. , composers and lyricists further developed the musical. The period saw the creation of beloved musicals including The period saw the creation of beloved musicals including My Fair Lady My Fair Lady (Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner), (Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner), The Sound of MusicThe Sound of Music (Richard (Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II)Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II), , and and West Side StoryWest Side Story (Leonard (Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim). Such musicals added many Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim). Such musicals added many unforgettable show tunes such as “Maria,” “Edelweiss,” and “Somewhere” to unforgettable show tunes such as “Maria,” “Edelweiss,” and “Somewhere” to pop singers’ repertoires. pop singers’ repertoires. A A repertoirerepertoire is is an inventory of compositions an inventory of compositions mastered and performed by a musician. mastered and performed by a musician.

Prior to World War II, Prior to World War II, musicals by and large reflected optimism – the belief musicals by and large reflected optimism – the belief that goodness will triumph over evilthat goodness will triumph over evil. During the latter part of the twentieth . During the latter part of the twentieth century, however, century, however, writers of musicals began addressing darker, more writers of musicals began addressing darker, more serious themes in their musicalsserious themes in their musicals. Examples of this trend include John . Examples of this trend include John Kander and Fred Ebb’s dark comedies Kander and Fred Ebb’s dark comedies ChicagoChicago and and CabaretCabaret..

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:From Broadway to HollywoodFrom Broadway to Hollywood

The fact that classic musicals continue to be revived The fact that classic musicals continue to be revived on Broadway today attests to the popularity of this art on Broadway today attests to the popularity of this art form. In addition, many Broadway musicals have form. In addition, many Broadway musicals have been adapted into successful films. Several of these been adapted into successful films. Several of these became Hollywood hits that earned numerous became Hollywood hits that earned numerous Academy Awards. These includeAcademy Awards. These include West Side StoryWest Side Story (1961) – ten Oscars, including Best Picture (1961) – ten Oscars, including Best Picture My Fair LadyMy Fair Lady (1964) – eight Oscars, (1964) – eight Oscars,

including Best Pictureincluding Best Picture The Sound of Music The Sound of Music (1965) – five Oscars, (1965) – five Oscars,

including Best Pictureincluding Best Picture CabaretCabaret (1972) – eight Oscars (1972) – eight Oscars Chicago Chicago (2002) – six Oscars, including (2002) – six Oscars, including

Best PictureBest Picture

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:An International TrendAn International Trend

By the early 1970s, British and French creative teams By the early 1970s, British and French creative teams were making important contributions of musical were making important contributions of musical theatretheatre. In the decades following, they have become . In the decades following, they have become a dominant force in this art form. London native a dominant force in this art form. London native Andrew Lloyd Webber’s creations include Andrew Lloyd Webber’s creations include CatsCats, , EvitaEvita, , and and The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera. Elton John, also of . Elton John, also of Great Britain, collaborated with Tim Rice to create Great Britain, collaborated with Tim Rice to create shows such as shows such as The Lion King The Lion King and and AidaAida. French . French composers Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain composers Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil created such blockbuster hits as Boublil created such blockbuster hits as Les Les Miserables Miserables and and Miss SaigonMiss Saigon. .

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Musical Theatre TodayMusical Theatre Today

After a century’s history, Broadway musicals After a century’s history, Broadway musicals still flourish todaystill flourish today. Classics are revived in . Classics are revived in innovative ways even as composers and innovative ways even as composers and lyricists push the envelope of this art form. On lyricists push the envelope of this art form. On Broadway, it is common to see traditional Broadway, it is common to see traditional productions playing side by side with productions playing side by side with contemporary rock musicals.contemporary rock musicals.

New stars continue to rise on the Broadway New stars continue to rise on the Broadway stage. As in the past, the allure of the stage. As in the past, the allure of the Broadway stage will continue to attract and Broadway stage will continue to attract and produce great singing and acting talents.produce great singing and acting talents.

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Musical Theatre TermsMusical Theatre Terms

Operettas Operettas – stage plays with songs and dance – stage plays with songs and dance interspersed with spoken linesinterspersed with spoken lines

Broadway musical Broadway musical – a dramatic stage form that – a dramatic stage form that combines the arts of acting and singingcombines the arts of acting and singing

VaudevilleVaudeville – an early staged variety show that – an early staged variety show that included songs, dances, and comedy skitsincluded songs, dances, and comedy skits

DialogueDialogue – the spoken lines of a play or musical – the spoken lines of a play or musical showshow

Repertoire Repertoire – an inventory of compositions mastered – an inventory of compositions mastered and performed by a musicianand performed by a musician

MonologueMonologue – a dramatic speech or song delivered – a dramatic speech or song delivered by one character in a playby one character in a play

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Composers – Stephen SondheimComposers – Stephen Sondheim

Stephen SondheimStephen Sondheim (b. 1930) is an American (b. 1930) is an American stage musical and film composer and lyricist, one stage musical and film composer and lyricist, one of the few people to win an Academy Award, of the few people to win an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any other composer), multiple Grammy Awards, and a other composer), multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pultizer Prize. His most famous scores include Pultizer Prize. His most famous scores include (as composer/lyricist) (as composer/lyricist) Company, A Little Night Company, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Music, Sweeney Todd, and and Into the WoodsInto the Woods as as well as the lyrics for well as the lyrics for West Side Story West Side Story and and GypsyGypsy. .

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Musicals – Musicals – Into the WoodsInto the Woods

Into the WoodsInto the Woods Music:Music: Stephen SondheimStephen Sondheim Lyrics:Lyrics: Stephen SondheimStephen Sondheim Book:Book: James LapineJames Lapine Plot:Plot: Into the WoodsInto the Woods intertwines the plots of several intertwines the plots of several

Brothers Grimm fairy tales and follows them Brothers Grimm fairy tales and follows them further further to explore the consequences of the to explore the consequences of the characters’ characters’ wishes and quests. The main wishes and quests. The main characters are taken characters are taken from the stories of Little from the stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, tied Rapunzel, and Cinderella, tied together by together by an original story involving a Baker and an original story involving a Baker and his wife and his wife and their quest to begin a family, and their quest to begin a family, and including including references to several other well-known references to several other well-known tales.tales.

Questions1. Other than musicals or Broadway tunes, what other

genre could the music of Into the Woods be included in? Give specific examples throughout the musical to support your answer.

2. Vocally, which character exhibited the greatest range and level difficulty?

3. Describe the difference of vocal timbre in the Witch and Cinderella.

4. What male character could be considered a tenor? Explain your decision.

5. What would you say was the “defining moment” of the entire musical, the peak? Why?

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Musicals – Musicals – West Side StoryWest Side Story

Do you know anything about Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet”?

Can you quote some lines from the play?When was “Romeo and Juliet” written?Shakespeare wrote the play over 400

years ago. Why do you think a play written over

400 years ago is still popular and well known today?


Brainstorm a list of words, terms, names, and ideas associated with “Romeo and Juliet.”

Has “Romeo and Juliet” ever been adapted into other forms of art or performance?

Yes! It has been adapted into other art forms many, many, many times, including opera, ballet, and more than 40 movies.

In the mid-20th century, a team of theater professionals in New York City decided to adapt “Romeo and Juliet” into a musical.

Do you know what that musical is?


While you watch, identify what choreographer Jerome Robbins thought would make the “Romeo and Juliet” story come alive for him.

Setting the story in the present day is one reason. More specifically, the creators of “West Side Story” decided to set it amid the warring gangs of New York City.

“West Side Story” has not only become a legendary musical, it has also influenced popular culture.

Listen and determine what director Julie Taymore sees “West Side Story” as a forerunner of.

Taymore saw “West Side Story” as a forerunner for all of MTV and music videos.


“West Side Story” was an important milestone in theater history, and led the way for many musicals that followed.

Listen again and determine why “West Side Story” was such an important milestone in the history of musical theater.

Because it introduced serious, contemporary subject matter into musicals, including murder and rape; it established the primacy of the director/choreographer; and it ushered in the ear of “triple threat” performers, who could sing, dance, and act.


Did the footage you saw of “West Side Story” look or sound like a Shakespearean play written over 400 years ago?

Why not? Did you recognize any images in the footage and

photographs of “West Side Story” that were similar to “Romeo and Juliet”?

Are you aware of any other musicals that have been based on preexisting works of literature?

The creators of musicals based on preexisting literature must accomplish a variety of tasks, including: streamlining the plot and characters into a manageable length for the stage; creating music and lyrics that match the tone and feel of the original work; addressing technical demands that may not be possible on stage, etc.


West Side StoryWest Side Story Music:Music: Leonard BernsteinLeonard Bernstein Lyrics:Lyrics: Stephen SondheimStephen Sondheim Book:Book: Arthur Laurents Arthur Laurents Plot:Plot: In 1949, Jerome Robbins called Leonard Bernstein about a In 1949, Jerome Robbins called Leonard Bernstein about a

new idea he had for a musical: a modern update of “Romeo new idea he had for a musical: a modern update of “Romeo and Juliet,” only the star-crossed lovers would be Catholic and and Juliet,” only the star-crossed lovers would be Catholic and Jewish, and it would take place on the Lower East Side. Jewish, and it would take place on the Lower East Side. During this time, the papers were filled with stories of juvenile During this time, the papers were filled with stories of juvenile gang warfare among the growing Hispanic populations of Los gang warfare among the growing Hispanic populations of Los Angeles and Spanish Harlem. Now, the idea finally seemed Angeles and Spanish Harlem. Now, the idea finally seemed vibrant and timely. vibrant and timely.

Following Shakespeare’s model, the team constructed a Following Shakespeare’s model, the team constructed a story story of star-crossed lovers caught between rival gangs – this of star-crossed lovers caught between rival gangs – this time time Puerto Ricans (Sharks) and white ethnics (Jets) on New Puerto Ricans (Sharks) and white ethnics (Jets) on New York York City’s Upper West Side. Tony (former leader of the Jets) City’s Upper West Side. Tony (former leader of the Jets) falls falls in love with Maria (sister of the leader of the Sharks) at a in love with Maria (sister of the leader of the Sharks) at a high high school dance, despite the tragic impossibility of their school dance, despite the tragic impossibility of their situation.situation.

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Composers – Leonard BernsteinComposers – Leonard Bernstein

Leonard BernsteinLeonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was a Jewish (1918-1990) was a Jewish American conductor, composer, author, music American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He wrote three symphonies, lecturer and pianist. He wrote three symphonies, two operas, five musicals, and numerous other two operas, five musicals, and numerous other pieces. He is best known for writing the music for pieces. He is best known for writing the music for West Side StoryWest Side Story. Bernstein was the first classical . Bernstein was the first classical music conductor to make numerous television music conductor to make numerous television appearances, all between 1954 and 1989. He appearances, all between 1954 and 1989. He was “one of the most prodigally talented and was “one of the most prodigally talented and successful musicians in American history.” successful musicians in American history.”

Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Music in Musical Theatre and Film:Lyricist – Stephen SondheimLyricist – Stephen Sondheim

Stephen SondheimStephen Sondheim (b. 1930) is an American (b. 1930) is an American stage musical and film composer and lyricist, one stage musical and film composer and lyricist, one of the few people to win an Academy Award, of the few people to win an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any other composer), multiple Grammy Awards, and a other composer), multiple Grammy Awards, and a Pultizer Prize. His most famous scores include Pultizer Prize. His most famous scores include (as composer/lyricist) (as composer/lyricist) Company, A Little Night Company, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Music, Sweeney Todd, and and Into the WoodsInto the Woods as as well as the lyrics for well as the lyrics for West Side Story West Side Story and and GypsyGypsy. .

Perceptive Listening Number your paper 1-9. Listen to each excerpt. Write the name

of the song that is playing next to the correct number.

A Boy Like That I Feel PrettyMariaCoolTonightAmericaMamboSomewhereOne Hand, One Heart

ANSWERS:

1. I Feel Pretty

2. Mambo

3. Maria

4. Tonight

5. America

6. Cool

7. A Boy Like That

8. One Hand, One Heart

9. Somewhere

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