white christmas study guide tuts 2011

8/12/2019 White Christmas Study Guide Tuts 2011

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THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE

WHITE CHRISTMAS • DECEMBER 6–18, 2011 • THE HOBBY CENTER GRATED




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TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE ANEnglish Language Arts and ReadingGrade 3: 110.14 (7, 17, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)Grade 4: 110.15 (15, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)Grade 5: 110.16 (5, 15, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)Grade 6: 110.18 (5, 14, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)Grade 7: 110.19 (14, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)Grade 8: 110.20 (14, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)Grade 9: 110.31 (13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)

Grade 10: 110.32 (13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)Grade 11: 110.33 (13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)Grade 12: 110.34 (13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)

Social StudiesGrade 5: 113.16 (5, 24, 25)United States History: 113.41 (7, 25, 29, 30, 32)

MusicGrade 3: 117.12 (2, 6)Grade 4: 117.15 (2, 6)Grade 5: 117.18 (6)

Grade 6: 117.33 (6)Grade 7: 117.36 (6)Grade 8: 117.39 (6)Level I: 117.60 (6)Level II: 117.61 (6)Level III: 117.62 (6)Level IV: 117.63 (6)

TheatreGrade 3: 117.13 (3, 5)Grade 4: 117.16 (1, 2, 5)Grade 5: 117.19 (1, 2, 5)Grade 6: 117.34 (1, 2, 5)Grade 7: 117.37 (1, 4, 5)Grade 8: 117.40 (1, 4, 5)Level I: 117.64 (5)Level II: 117.65 (5)Level III: 117.66 (5)Level IV: 117.67 (5)

Please visit http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/ for more information.




TUTS STUDY GUIDETUTS creates online study guides for use by educators and parents in an effort to enhanceand build upon students’ theatrical experiences. These study guides contain backgroundinformation, historical facts, discussion questions, project ideas and learning activitiesto encourage students to engage in analysis, research and personal re ection that willhopefully create life long appreciation and enjoyment of musical theatre.

STORY BEHIND THE STORYMOVIE VS MUSICAL

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

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WHO’S WHO: IRVING BERLINHISTORY: VAUDEVILLE

TIME LINE: WORLD WAR IILEARNING ACTIVITIES

DETAILED SYNOPSIS

A BRIEF HISTORYRECIPE FOR CREATING A MUSICALTHEATRE ETIQUETTEABOUT TUTS

CURTAIN CALL: Learning Activities

BACKSTAGE: About Musical Theatre

FRONT ROW: Count Your Blessings

CENTER STAGE: I’m Dreaming of...

TABLE OF CONTENTS



F R O N T R O W: Count Your Blessings

The stage version included additional Berlin songs, namely: I Lovea Piano, How Deep is the Ocean?, and I’ve Got My Love to Keep MeWarm . However, It’s Cold Outside, Heat Wave, Gee I Wish I WasBack in the Army, Choreography and the I’d Rather See a MinstrelShow medley were not used on the stage. Some plot details fromthe movie were changed to read better on the stage as well. Therewere a few notable changes in the stage version from the movie.The ongoing bit about Wallace saving Davis’s life from a topplingwall during battle, which came up multiple times in the movie, wascut from the stage version. The reference to the The Ed Sullivan Showwas actually mentioned on stage, whereas the movie simply namesan “Ed Sullivan-type-show.” Wallace and Davis’ musical within theshow was also changed from Playing Around in the movie to BlueSkies on stage.

Story Behind the Story

Movie vs Musical

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas debuted as a movie in 1954 starring

Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Thetitle song, White Christmas , was introduced in Berlin’s film Holiday Innin 1942, which Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire co-starred in. WhiteChristmas was going to be their third film together, but Astaireturned down the movie after reading the script. Second choice,Donald O’ Conner, also turned down the film, which is how DannyKaye landed the role of Phil Davis.

Paul Blake and David Ives adapted the stage musical version ofWhite Christmas . The pair changed some characters and tweakedsome plot lines to incorporate several Berlin songs not featured inthe movie. The show premiered in San Francisco in 2004 under thetitle Irving Berlin’s White Christmas . After touring the United Statesand Great Britain, the show opened on Broadway in New York in2008 and was nominated for two Tony Awards and six Drama DeskAwards soon after. TUTS produced the show in 2008.

Many of the songs used in the movie version of White Christmaswere recycled from Berlin’s previous films. White Christmasoriginated in Holiday Inn, and the song Blue Skies came from the

movie Blue Skies . Other reused numbers include: Let Me Sing andI’m Happy and Heat Wave. The musical number Snow was adaptedfrom Berlin’s song Free from the musical Call Me Madam . Berlinwrote Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep specifically for WhiteChristmas and was nominated for an Academy Award for bestoriginal song. Additionally, Sisters was a new song written forthe movie. The film was enormously popular with audiences andit became the top money making movie of 1954 generating $12million at the box office.

Irving Berlin

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David Ives andPaul Blake



Characters Character Descriptions

F R O N T R O W: Count Your Blessings

Betty Haynes The sensible and responsiblehalf of the Haynes Sisters. Sheis hesitant to take the spotlightfor herself and is devoted to heryounger sister. She falls in lovewith Bob Wallace.

Susan WaverlyThe General’s granddaughtervisiting from her home inCalifornia, Susan is a lovableand outgoing kid. She is verysmart and cares deeply about hergrandfather.

General Henry WaverlyA retired U.S. Army General adjusting to

returning to civilian life. Once a powerfulleader, he now runs the strugglingColumbia Inn in Vermont. He is a man ofgreat principle and dignity, but needs h isfamily and love .

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Martha Watson Once a Broadway star, she is nowthe General’s housekeeper andreceptionist at the inn. She runs hislife in spite of his protests. She is ameddler but means well.

Judy HaynesThe younger, more ambitious,scheming Haynes sister. She isflirty with a winning charm. Shefalls in love with Phil Davis.

Bob Wallace The guiding force behindthe song and dance team ofWallace and Davis. Despitehis occasional gruffness, he isa deeply kind and principledman who falls in love with BettyHaynes.

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Phil Davis The fun-loving song-and-dancepartner of Bob Wallace. An

irresponsible clown and ladies’man with boyish charm, he isdetermined to see Wallacehappy. He falls in love with JudyHaynes.



ACT ONE

The story begins with World War II U.S. Army buddies,Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, on Christmas Eve 1944somewhere on the Western Front. The troops havegotten hold of a Christmas tree, and Wallace andDavis are putting on a make-shift holiday show for thetroops of the 151st Division ( White Christmas/HappyHolidays ). Major General Henry Waverly arrives forthe end of the show and holds a eld inspection beforebeing relieved of command of the 151st Division.

After the war in 1954, the pair, now labeled

“America’s favorite song-and-dance-team,” appearon The Ed Sullivan Show (Happy Holidays/Let YourselfGo ). Wallace and Davis plug their new show BlueSkies set to open on Christmas Eve in Florida. Beforeleaving their dressing room, Davis tells Wallace abouta letter he received from an old army buddy of theirsasking them to go watch his sisters’ act. Davis convincesWallace he needs to fall in love and that the Haynessisters could be good for them ( Love and the Weather ),so Wallace reluctantly agrees to go watch the girls.They go to the club to audition the sister act ( Sisters ),only to discover that Judy actually sent Davis the letter.

Wallace and Davis have train tickets to go to Floridafor their new show that night, while Betty and Judyare booked to leave for Pinetree, Vermont. Davis andJudy dance together at the club and decide to trickWallace into going to Vermont so all four of them canbe together ( The Best Things Happen While You’reDancing ).

Wallace and Davis board the same train as the Haynessisters, and it doesn’t take long for Wallace to gureout he has been played. The four begin to get excitedabout arriving in Vermont ( Snow ), but when the trainpulls in, things are not exactly as expected.

They discover that the Columbia Inn in Pinetree is runby their former commanding of cer, Major GeneralWaverly, and it’s about to go bankrupt because ofthe lack of snow and, therefore, lack of guests. TheGeneral has invested all of his savings, pension andhope into the inn, so the foursome want to help outand bring business back ( What Can You Do with aGeneral ).

Wallace and Davis bring Blue Skies and their entireBroadway cast to Vermont and add Betty and Judyinto the show. Martha, Columbia Inn’s concierge, alsogets in on the show after impressing Wallace andDavis with her talent ( Let Me Sing and I’m Happy ).

That night, the General’s granddaughter, Susan, isupset. She can’t sleep because she discovered hergrandfather tried to rejoin the army but was rejectedand now feels like he doesn’t belong. Wallace comfortsher until she falls asleep ( Count Your Blessings ) andthen shares a romantic moment with Betty.

After hearing about the General’s rejected plans torejoin the Army, Wallace decides to prove to him thathe is not forgotten. He calls his friend and former armycohort, Ralph Sheldrake, at the Ed Sullivan Show to havehim send out letters to the men under the command ofthe General in the war. The letters are part of a “secretplan” to get the men to come to the inn for the holidayand surprise the General. Sheldrake returns Wallace’scall to let him know that the “secret plan” is goinggreat, but Martha answers the phone and confuses themessage thinking Sheldrake is a real estate bigwigand that Wallace is going to force the General to sellthe inn. After Martha tells Betty about the phone call,Betty confronts Wallace about his intentions but stilldoesn’t learn the truth ( Blue Skies).

Detailed Synopsis

C E N T E R S TA G E: I’m Dreaming of...

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Detailed Synopsis

ACT TWO

A full run-through of the show is taking place in thebarn ( I Love a Piano ) while romantic drama ensues:Judy’s angry at Davis for his irtatious manner withall the chorus girls, and Betty is packing for New Yorkbecause of what she thinks Wallace is going to do tothe General ( Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun ). Susanis also desperately trying to create an act to be partof the show but is turned down by Wallace and Davis.

Back in the rehearsal hall, nobody can nd the Hayessisters, so Wallace and Davis rehearse their numberfor them (Sisters Reprise ). Susan tells Wallace thatBetty has left for New York, and he goes after herimmediately.

In New York, Betty is performing at The RegencyRoom (Love You Didn’t Do Right by Me/How Deepis the Ocean ). Wallace brings Sheldrake to watchBetty’s performance and afterwards they explain the

“secret plan” to her. Betty agrees to return to Vermont.

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Before leaving New York, Wallace makes anotherappearance on The Ed Sullivan Show to announce on

nal time that all the men of the 151st Division shouldgo to the General’s inn for Christmas ( We’ll Follow thOld Man ).

Wallace and Betty return to the inn to nd that Judyand Davis have gotten engaged, and Susan is goingto have an act in the show ( Let Me Sing and I’m HappReprise ).

On the night of the show, Martha convinces the Generalthat all of his suits have been sent to the cleaners, andGeneral Waverly concludes that he’ll have to appear

in his old uniform. The cast is getting ready in the barnwhen Wallace and Betty confess their love for oneanother ( How Deep Is the Ocean Reprise ). Whethe General enters the barn where the show is totake place, he is greeted by his former division ( WeFollow the Old Man Reprise ). The show is performewithout a hitch (Happy Holiday/White Christmas ), ansnow begins to fall as the foursome celebrate their love(Finale: I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm ).

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C E N T E R S TA G E: I’m Dreaming of...



In 1906, Berlin got a job as a singing waiter in Chinatown where he would entertaincustomers by changing the lyrics of popular songs to ones he made up. He wrote his

rst song, Marie from Sunny Italy while working at a restaurant. He was so good that hebegan to receive recognition for his talents and was hired by a publisher to write songs.He had to have someone else write the musical notation of his melodies, since he hadnever learned how, but within a year, he became prominent in the music business.

Who is Irving Berlin?

C U RTA I N C A L L: Learning Activities

Who’s Who: Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin composed the music for White Christmas , but that is just one of his manyaccomplishments. In his lifetime, he produced more than 800 songs, many of whichbecame instant classics, including the songs White Christmas and God Bless America .

Irving Berlin, named Israel Baline, was born in Russia on May 11, 1888 and was theyoungest of eight children. His father was a religious singer and taught Berlin how tosing at a young age. Berlin’s family was Jewish and was forced to leave Russia forAmerica after religious persecutions in 1893. Their new life in New York was dif cult,and Berlin’s father died just three years after his family arrived in America. Berlin hadno formal education, and he never learned how to read or write English or music. Yet,he had a natural talent for the arts, and at age fourteen he earned money by singing inbars and on the streets.

How did Berlin get his start?

Berlin wrote, his first musical score, Watch Your Step , in 1914 and continued towrite even while he served in the army during World War I. He amused his fellowsoldiers with songs like Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning, and he even wrotean entire musical about soldiers titled Yip, Yip, Yaphank . He established his ownmusic publishing company in 1919, and his career took off from there. Some of hismost renowned musicals include Ziegfeld Follies, Music Box Reviews and Annie GetYour Gun. He also wrote musical scores for a number of films, a few of which wereTop Hat, Follow the Fleet, Holiday Inn, Blue Skies and, of course, White Christmas .Berlin died on September 22, 1989 in New York but is remembered as a symbol ofAmerican culture and for his many works that still live on today.

The many musicals of Berlin

Learning Activities

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Writing Challenge

Think and CreateIrving Berlin wrote songs based on real life experiences(like serving in the army) and how they made peoplefeel (not always happy to be in the army). Think abouta life experience and a feeling that goes with it. Itcould be studying for a big test or preparing for asports game. Create your own lyrics for a song basedon that feeling. You can use the same melody of a songyou already know, or Create your own melody.

Research and DiscussResearch a few of Berlin’s works. Discuss what you likebest, what you like least, and why each one was orwasn’t successful.

Interview a family member, friend, classmate orteacher who had to leave their home. Why did theyhave to leave? What did they do? Then Write anarticle in third person about their experience.

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Imagine and WriteImagine you, like Irving Berlin, have to leave yourhome because other people there do not like yourbeliefs, religion or way of life. Write about what youwould do if that happened to you? How would youfeel? Would you stand up for yourself? Where wouldyou go? How would you make a living?




History: Vaudeville

Song-and-dance-duos like Wallace and Davis and The Haynes Sisters originatedfrom vaudeville. Vaudeville was a variety performance made up of about a dozenacts which were all different in style. Typically there was juggling, musicians, childstars, comedic sketches and almost any other kind of entertainment imaginable. Thecomedy of vaudeville was revolutionary because it wasn’t just telling jokes. Someacts involved physical, slapstick comedy, while others established different roles ina comedy scene. For example, the comedy duo of George Burns and Gracie Allenwould have sketches where George played the straight-man, not trying to be funny,and Gracie was the one who said and did ridiculous things. The performers wouldtravel to different cities to perform. Once an act worked for performers, they wouldrepeat it, making it their signature act.

In the 1850s, entertainment among frontier settlers and in city-like settings flourished,and shows were created for all-male audiences that were sometimes risqué butalways very comical. In 1881, ballad and minstrel singer Tony Pastor was amongthe first to create his own family friendly show. Performers and producers realizedthe money making potential of having a show geared to a wider audience, andvaudeville became a main source of entertainment. Many performers startedout young or traveled as families, increasing the diversity of the entertainment.Vaudeville stayed popular until the mid-1920s, when it star ted to lose popularitybecause of radio programs and movie theatres. Nonetheless, vaudeville stageswere home to more than 25,000 performers, and it was the most popular form ofentertainment in America.

Although vaudeville ended its reign in the 1920s, the format, acts and ideas behindvaudeville are still evident today. The first silent films featured some famousvaudeville performers, like Burt Williams and Charlie Chaplin. The TV and “talkie”movie industry utilized many vaudeville performers and adopted the style. Shows likeThe Ed Sullivan Show and modern day late night talk shows reflect the variety foundin vaudeville acts. Even today, more than eighty years later, Saturday Night Live isstill a sketch comedy show in a similar vaudeville format.

What is vaudeville?

Learning Activities

When did vaudeville begin?

What is vaudeville’s impact on today’s culture?


Bo b W a lla c e & P h il D av is

Compare and Contrast

Imagine and WriteImagine you are a traveling vaudeville performer.Write about your travels. Where have you performed?Who do you perform with? What kind of act do youhave? How does the audience respond to your act?What is the best part of being a vaudeville performer?What is the worst part?

Bring the act you imagined to life! If you are a dancer,make up a routine. If you are a singer, learn a song. Ifyou have a comedy act, think of a sketch. Then Performyour act for friends and family.

Action Challenge

Research and DiscussResearch famous vaudeville performers. Somesuggestions include Bob Hope, Mae West or BusterKeaton. Discuss what their acts were like, what madethem successful (or not successful) and what you like ordislike about the way they performed.

Compare and Contrast Wallace and Davis and theHaynes Sisters with original vaudeville performers. Howare the duos the same? How are they different? WouldWallace and Davis or The Haynes Sisters have beensuccessful on the vaudeville stage?

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J ud y & Be t t y H a y ne s

George Burns &Gracie Allen




World War II was fought mainly between two alliances, the Axis and the Allies, although neither group had a formalpact or even stuck with their alliances all the time. The Axis were the countries led by Nazi Germany and Japan whilethe Allies consisted of the United Kingdom, France, the Soviet Union, China and America.

January 6 - Roosevelt approves a “Lend-Lease” program, which providesnancial aid to the Allies.

February 1 - A memo warning of a possible Japanese attack on PearlHarbor is sent to Roosevelt.

July 26 - Roosevelt suspends relations with Japan.

December 7 - World War II of cially begins for America with the attack onPearl Harbor. Japanese ghter planes destroy the U.S. Paci c eet dockedat the Hawaii base and cause the most navel casualties in history during thissurprise attack.

June 14 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt increases the U.S. Navy capacityby 11% with the Naval Expansion Act.

September 14 - Congress approves the rst peacetime conscription draft,which requires all men ages 18 to 64 to register with the government in casethey need to draft them for a war.

Atomic Bomb

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Time Line: World War II

June 4/6 - Japan sufferes heavy losses by the U.S. at the Battle of Midway.

June 13 - Roosevelt creates the Of ce of War.

June 30 - Women are accepted for WAVES, a volunteer emergency servicesprogram that allows women to serve in the military for the rst time. MildredMcAfee is sworn in as the rst female U.S. commissioned of cer in Navyhistory a few weeks later.

June 6 - The Allies invade Normandy, France. The U.S. and Great Britainassemble the greatest amount of men and material ever to launch theD-Day attack. Also known as Operation Overloard, the battle signi es a

major turning point in the war.December 16 - In the Battle of the Bulge, German forces took two U.S.regiments by surprise and caused the largest battle eld surrender of U.S.troops in the war. 70,000 American soldiers died.

1943 Rations January 11 - Roosevelt assignes $100 million of the U.S.’s $109 millionbudget to war efforts.

January 18 - Metal, certain foods and gasoline are rationed by the U.S.Americans start growing Victory Gardens, buying war bonds, saving gasand donating their tin, metal and paper.

March 11 - The Battle of Iwo Jima enters its nal phases, and Japan’sresistance is decentralized but with heavy American losses.

May 7 - Victory Day in Europe marks the surrender of the Axis and the endof Hitler’s reign.

August 6 - The rst atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima and killes morethan 130,000 people.

August 14 - Japan accepts the United States’ surrender terms and General

MacArthur is appointed head of all occupied forces in Japan.

Although there were many factors that led up to World War II, two extremely signi cant events leading to WWIIwere: Japan left the League of Nations and Adolph Hitler gained power of the Nazi party making it the only politicalparty in Germany. The U.S. did not of cially enter the war until 1941. The time line highlights a few key events duringAmerica’s involvement in the war.

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Activities

The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing is a songfrom White Christmas . Imagine a time when the bestthings happen to you. Is it when you are sleeping,eating, playing video games, with a pet, with yourfamily or another time? Write about the time duringwhich the best things happen to you. Include detailsabout where you are, what you’re doing and whyyou’re doing it.

Watch the movie Holiday Inn , which is where the songWhite Christmas rst debuted. Compare Holiday Inn to White Christmas . Are they anything alike? How isthe song used in each movie? Which movie do you likebetter? Do you like that the same song was used inboth movies?

Imagine and Write Compare and Contrast

Research and Discuss

Think and Create

Compare and Contrast the characters of Judy andBetty Haynes or Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. Howare the two characters alike? How are they different?What makes them different? Do you think bothcharacters are needed to tell the story? Do you thinkthese two could be friends in real life?

Listen and Compare

Watch and Compare Watch the 1954 movie version of White Christmasand Compare it to the musical. What is the same?What is different? Which do you like better? Would

you have changed anything about the movie or themusical?

Online ResourcesVideos: The Ed Sullivan Show (http://www.hulu.com/the-best-of-the-ed-sullivan-show)

White Christmas the movie trailer(http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/147806/White-Christmas-trailer.html)

Websites:World War II Information (http://www.pbs.org/perilousfight)Irving Berlin Biography(http://www.notablebiographies.com/Be-Br/Berlin-Irving.html#ixzz1PSNDmkKx)History of Vaudeville (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/vaudeville/about-vaudeville/721)

The song White Christmas is the most recorded song ofall time and has also been translated into almost onehundred languages. Listen to a few different versionsand Compare them to one another as well as to IrvingBerlin’s original version. Which do you like best?Which do you like least? Why? Do the versions soundvery different from Berlin’s? Try to listen to at leastone version sung in a language you are not familiarwith.

Think about the format of The Ed Sullivan Show . It wasa variety show that featured many different guestsand sketches. Create your own variety show whereyou are the host. Who would you interview? Whatwould you talk about? Who would perform for yourshow? Who would you want your commercial sponsorsto be? Would your show be aired live or taped?

Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye were popular actorsfeatured in a number of movie musicals during the1940s and 1950s. Research the careers of thesestars. How many movies were they each in? Were theypopular with audiences? How did their movie careerstart? Could they sing in real life, or were their voicesdubbed? Discuss what you found out about eachperformer. Do you think the two actors would be aspopular in their time today as Zac Efron and Joe Jonasare today?

World War II had a tremendous impact on Americain the 1940s. Research the way the war affectedAmericans at home. What did they have to give upto help the war efforts? What was life like for them?Discuss how this compares to how we live today whilethe war in Iraq is going on. Do we have to give upanything? How does the war impact us as citizens?



B A C K S TA G E: About Musical Theatre

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MUSICALS

The origins of musicals can be traced back to 500 B.C. when the ancient Greeks rstperformed shows with song and dance. Looking forward into the 19th century, Europeanoperas and operettas began to in uence American musical culture. In 1860, Laura Keenestarred in the rst musical “burlettz” (burlesque) The Seven Sisters. Six years later (1866), the

rst show to resemble a modern day musical, The Black Crook, premiered in New York City. In1907, Florenz Ziegfeld’s rst revenue of popular songs, Follies, was born with lavish costumes,ornate sets and a display of star performers.

The Golden Age stretched from 1940 to 1960. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

was the rst musical to incorporate dance and music into the plot in 1943. The hits keptcoming in the following years with: Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun in 1946, Rodgers andHammerstein’s South Pacifc in 1949, Harold Prince’s The Pajama Game in 1954, Lerner andLoewe’s My Fair Lady in 1956 and West Side Story in 1957 with music by Leonard Bernstein,lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins. Highlights from the

1960s include: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

in 1961, Fiddler on the Roof in 1964and Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon’s Sweet Charity in 1966.

THE BEGINNING

THE 1920s & 1930sThe 20s and 30s introduced famous composers such as Irving Berlin and GeorgeGershwin, among others, to the musical scene. The collaboration of Jerome Kern, OscarHammerstein II and Ziegfeld led to the ground-breaking Show Boat in 1927, whichintegrated a book, score and songs to tell a narrative. In 1934, Cole Porter and EthelMerman teamed up for Anything Goes. Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart opened The Boysfrom Syracuse in 1938, which was the rst Broadway show to be adapted from a work ofShakespeare.

THE GOLDEN AGE

CONTEMPORARY MUSICALS Beginning with Hair ‘s rock music score in 1968, the age of Contemporary Musicals focusedon unique concepts and ideas. Stephen Sondheim and director/producer Harold Princebecame the musical leaders of their generation with the revolutionary Company in 1970.Andrew Lloyd Weber opened his controversial Jesus Christ Superstar in 1971. MichaelBennett’s acclaimed A Chorus Line debuted in 1975, its success even overshadowingBob Fosse’s Chicago, which opened the same year. 42nd Street opened in 1980 and theadaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Miserables opened in 1987. Walt Disney’s animated

lm favorites were welcomed onto the stage with Beauty and the Beast in 1994 and Lion King in 1997. Meanwhile in 1996, Jonathan Larson’s Rent, broke all barriers and was put in aclass of its own.

Revivals of old shows have been frequent since 1977 , but there has been a host of newshows in the past decade. Mel Brooks’ musical about making a musical, The Producers opened in 2001 and Hairspray debuted with big haired Tracy in 2002. The extravagantversion of OZ, Wicked premiered in 2003 and Avenue Q brought its puppet cast to life in2004. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee allowed audiences into the minds of pre-teens in 2005 and Spring Awakening told the tale of teenagers in 2007. Most recently,Bono created the expensive and dangerous, yet thrilling Spider-Man in 2011. The Book of

Mormon , by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone swept the 2011 Tonys with itsfresh and funny story.

MODERN MUSICALS

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Combine the writer’s script with the composer’s songs and the lyricist’slyrics to create a show that tells a story. The show itself should includeseveral of the following elements: characters, con ict, humor, romance,costumes, sets, singing, dancing, animals, puppets and/or specialeffects. Meet with the producer to determine budget and the targetaudience.

B A C K S TA G E: About Musical Theatre

RECIPE FOR CREATING A MUSICAL

Add in the creative team, which includes the director, choreographer,music director, costume and set designers, stage manager, lighting andsound directors to the mix. De ne the vision of the show and decidewhat it should look like. Discuss and plan what needs to be done tomake the show come to life.

Add in the audience on opening night and perform. Broadway showsare usually performed in the evening, multiple days a week andsometimes in the afternoon for matinee shows. Don’t forget to smile.

Teach the performers and musicians the show. Everyone shouldmemorize their lines, know the correct notes to their songs and therhythm and order of the choreography. Rehearse, rehearse andrehearse. Bring the performers, musicians, stage hands, lights, music,costumes, sets and all other elements of the show together for a fulldress rehearsal – otherwise known as a complete practice of the show,just without the audience. Work out all costume and set changes and

really make sure everyone is comfortable in their roles, both on stageand backstage. Set the curtain call or bows.

Hold auditions or try-outs for musicians, dancers, actors and singers.Hold call-back auditions to invite quali ed performers for a secondround of auditions. Determine and hire the performers and musiciansthat are a best t for the show. Cast performers in appropriatecharacter, ensemble and musical roles.

•Prop Master•Costume Designer

•Music Director

•Composer

•Audience

•Director

•Stage Manager•Lyricist

• Writer

•Musicians

•Set Designer

•Producer •Stage Hands

•Lighting/Sound Directors •Performers(singers/dancers/actors•Choreographer

STEP 1: Gather the Ingredients

STEP 2: Mix it up

STEP 3: Stir well

STEP 4: Bake at high temperature

STEP 5: Serve with a smile

VocabularyChoreographer – the person who creates the dances andmovement patterns for the show

Stage Manager – the person who manages and takes care of thestage, sets and all special effects; directs the stage hands

Stage Hands – technicians and trained individuals who work sstage and back stage before, during and after the show to makeall special effects, scene changes and clean-ups happen.

Prop Master – the person in charge of getting, storing,maintaining and sometimes creating the props used in the show

Ingredients

Musical Mixing Bowl

T h e S t o r y



THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDETHEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE

THEATREETIQUET

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Don’t eat food inside the theatre.Save snacks for intermission.

Applaud after scenes, songs, acts andat the end of the show. Otherwise tryto keep quiet during the show.

Arrive at the theatre at least 30minutes before the show starts andtry not to leave the theatre, exceptduring intermission.

Turn off cell phones before the show orput them on silent. Make sure not to text oruse a cell phone during the show. Textingand the light from your cell phone are verydistracting to both the performers on stageand the audience members around you.

Photo courtesy of TUTS

June 5-17, 2012

Jan. 24- Feb. 5, 2012

pril 24 - May 6, 2012

March 20 - April 1, 2012

Coming up in the 2011/12 Season

Upcoming HSMT Sho

March 28 - 30, 20129:30 & 11:15 a.m.

GRATED

P G - 1 3RATED

P G - 1 3RATED

P G -1 3RATED

GRATED



Connect with TUTS! Theatre Under The Stars • 713.558.2600 800 Bagby Suite 200, Houston, TX. 77002

www.tuts.com • twitter.com/tutshoustonwww.facebook.com/TheatreUnderTheStars

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimednon-pro t musical theatre company. Founded in 1968by Frank M. Young, TUTS’ name originated from its rstperformance venue, Miller Outdoor Theatre. Since itsfounding, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicalsincluding local, national and world premieres, making ita nationally renowned company.

TUTS created the Humphreys School of Musical Theatrein 1972 as a way to provide stage experience andinstruction to both students and professionals. TUTSexpanded its education offerings in 2010 when TheRiver, a program for children with special needs, becamean af liate of TUTS. Since 2002, TUTS has presented theTommy Tune Awards annually, which honor the up andcoming stars of Houston’s high school theatre programs.

TUTS is now housed in the Hobby Center for thePerforming Arts where the ber-optic ceiling keepsTUTS “under the stars” all year long. TUTS is pleased topresent its 2011/12 season, “ Seeing is Believing!”

The Hobby Center. Photo by Leah Polkowske Photography.

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Thank you!As a parent/educator, you are the only person quali ed to determine what isappropriate for your child(ren)/student(s), but we hope the information and ratingsystem in this guide were helpful. This was designed and written by Dana Lizik andoverseen by David Greiss, Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee, Jacqueline Martin, Scott Howard,Katie Curry and Misty Robertson. Please feel free to copy and distribute. Printed in the

United States of America. First Digital Edition: July 2011.

TUTS STUDY GUIDE

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDETHEATRE UNDER THE STARS • 2011/12 STUDY GUIDE

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