MUSICAL THEATER Musical Theater and Musical Theater Technical Design

UNIT OVERVIEW What is a musical? What is a musical? The People The People The Places The Places How it all fits together How it all fits together Applying these facts to a musical (“The Phantom of the Opera”) Applying these facts to a musical (“The Phantom of the Opera”) Creating your own musical scenes Creating your own musical scenes Putting it all together (Assessment) Putting it all together (Assessment)

What is a musical? A play or motion picture in which the story line is interspersed with or developed by songs, dances, etc. A play or motion picture in which the story line is interspersed with or developed by songs, dances, etc. The majority of the lines are sung The majority of the lines are sung Feature songs (solos, production numbers) Feature songs (solos, production numbers) Acts and Scenes Acts and Scenes

Putting Together a Musical Does not happen overnight Does not happen overnight Takes MANY people and a lot of time to put together Takes MANY people and a lot of time to put together Can be started by anyone, not just the composer Can be started by anyone, not just the composer

The Creative Team Choreographer Choreographer Composer Composer Director Director Lyricist Lyricist Music Director Music Director Producer - overseer Producer - overseer

Performance Spaces Stage Manager – oversees all stage activities Stage Manager – oversees all stage activities Set – Where Set – Where Scene – What Scene – What Props – “Extras” Props – “Extras”

Stage Layout and Design Center Stage Downstage Upstage Stage Left Stage Right Left Wing Right Wing Apron Orchestra Pit

OTHER IMPORTANT TERMS Broadway The theater district in New York City Company The entire cast of a production Dress Rehearsal A rehearsal in full costume Encore The unplanned repetition of a number

OTHER IMPORTANT TERMS Genre A category or style of music Intermission Time in-between acts of a show Libretto The script to a production Lyrics The words to a song

OTHER IMPORTANT TERMS Opening The first official performance of a show Overture Instrumental music that opens a show Production Number A song or dance that features the whole cast

OTHER IMPORTANT TERMS Review A critic’s written, published critique or a “musical review” Season The time period when new shows open to the public Troupe A group of actors, dancers, singers

OTHER IMPORTANT TERMS COMPANY vs. TROUPE Troupe = ALL of the performers that work for a company, organization, etc. Company = JUST the performers that are in a particular show

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” Premiered in 1986 in London, England Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by Charles Hart Has played around the world, including multi-year runs in London, New York City, and Toronto (Ontario, Canada)

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” ORIGINAL NOVEL Written in 1911 Written by Gaston Leroux The original text was in FRENCH

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” MOVIE VERSIONS 1925 Starred Lon Chaney Black and White No Sound 1943 Claude Raines Color and Sound

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” 2004 Starred Gerard Butler First movie based on the musical version of the story Many TV and small-screen versions throughout the world

CHARACTERS The Phantom The “ghost” who haunts the Paris Opera House Christine Daae A chorus girl who the Phantom loves Raoul Christine’s boyfriend, opera house “patron”

CHARACTERS Carlotta The “prima donna” (first lady) of the opera company Firmin and Andre Opera house owners Madame Giry Ballet mistress (manager)

CHARACTERS Piangi Lead male singer of the opera company Meg Giry Christine’s best friend Madame Giry’s daughter

PROLOGUE SUMMARY: This scene is an auction taking place in the year 1911 where all of the old opera house items are being sold. SETS: Stage of the Paris Opera House 1911 PROPS: Chandelier Music Box SONGS: Overture

ACT 1: Scene 1 SUMMARY: The new opera house owners are introduced. Carlotta attempts to sing, but it interrupted by scenery crashing. So, Christine gets a chance to sing and is admired by all. SETS: Stage of the Paris Opera House 1881 PROPS: Backdrop SONGS: Think of Me

ACT 1: Scene 2 SUMMARY: Christine mets up with Meg and Raoul backstage. SETS: Backstage PROPS: None SONGS: None

ACT 1: Scene 3 SUMMARY: Christine reconnects with Raoul. As he leaves to call his carriage, the Phantom appears in her mirror. Their song calls her to walk towards it to the path on the other side. SETS: Christine’s Dressing Room PROPS: Mirror Bedroom Furniture Makeup and Costumes SONGS: Angel of Music

ACT 1: Scene 4 SUMMARY: The Phantom takes Christine through a series of tunnels to a boat. They sail on the underground lake to the Phantom’s lair. SETS: Labyrinth / Lake PROPS: Boat Bed Candles SONGS: The Phantom of the Opera

ACT 1: Scene 5 SUMMARY: The Phantom shows Christine where he lives and tells her all about his life. SETS: Phantom’s Lair PROPS: Phantom’s Broken Mirror Dustcover Wax Figure Wedding Dress SONGS: The Music of the Night

ACT 1: Scene 6 SUMMARY: Christine wakes up and finds the Phantom composing. She sneaks up on him and takes off his mask. He curses her and vows to return her to the surface. SETS: NONE PROPS: Pipe Organ Phantom’s Mask SONGS: NONE

ACT 1: Scene 7 SUMMARY: In the area backstage, the Phantom returns Christine to the surface while a stagehand named Joseph Buquet is showing off how he would defend against the Phantom. SETS: NONE PROPS: NONE SONGS: NONE

ACT 1: Scene 8 SUMMARY: In the managers’ office, the main characters discuss the recent events. After receiving notes from the Phantom saying Christine should be the star, they all pledge that Carlotta is the star and always will be. SETS: Managers’ Office PROPS: Office Furniture Newspapers Letters/Notes from the Phantom SONGS: Prima Donna IMPORTANT TERMS Polyphonic – “many lines of music”

ACT 1: Scene 9 SUMMARY: During the public performance of “Il Muto”, the Phantom causes Carlotta to “sing like a toad”. Christine replaces her. The Phantom hangs Joseph Buquet. In the chaos, Christine and Raoul escape to the roof of the opera house. SETS: The Stage of the POH during “Il Muto” PROPS: Punjab Lasso SONGS: NONE IMPORTANT TERMS Pandemonium

ACT 1: Scene 10 SUMMARY: On the roof of the opera house, Christine and Raoul reunite and pledge their love for each other. The Phantom, hiding behind the statues, is extremely unhappy and takes out his anger by making the chandelier crash onto the stage. SETS: The roof of the opera house PROPS: NONE SONGS: All I Ask of You IMPORTANT TERMS Maniacal

Writing a New Ending The chandelier has fallen. Only one scene remains. What will happen? You are in charge of writing the “final scene” (Scene 11) Be creative! Use as many characters as possible and make sure your writing is school- appropriate. Remember what has happened in Act One and plan for your characters accordingly. Use appropriate grammar and writing style.

Writing a New Ending At least eight sentences in a summary format Be specific as to what happens to the characters May be typed, written, or submitted via Haiku or online DUE Tuesday, September 1 at the start of class

ACT 2: Scene 1 SUMMARY: Six months have passed. At the grand staircase, the entire company is celebrating the successes of the opera house. The Phantom shows up to present the opera he has written and demands it be performed. SETS: Grand Staircase PROPS: Chain / Engagement Ring Costume Masks Manuscript SONGS: Masquerade

ACT 2: Scene 2 SUMMARY: In the area backstage, Raoul questions Madame Giry as to what she knows about the Phantom. SETS: NONE PROPS: NONE SONGS: NONE

ACT 2: Scene 3 SUMMARY: In the managers’ office, the characters review the Phantom’s manuscript and his recent letters. While they don’t like the opera or his instructions, Raoul realizes this is a chance to catch the Phantom. SETS: NONE PROPS: NONE SONGS: NONE

ACT 2: Scene 4 SUMMARY: On the stage of the opera house, the characters are rehearsing for the Phantom’s opera. Everyone treats it like garbage, as we see the scene transform and Christine cross the stage to the scenery for scene 5. SETS: NONE PROPS: Instruments and Music for “Don Juan Triumphant” SONGS: NONE

ACT 2: Scene 5 SUMMARY: Christine visits her father’s grave. While singing, the Phantom emerges, trying to comfort her. Raoul arrives and breaks the “trance”, fighting the Phantom. Raoul and Christine then escape. SETS: Graveyard PROPS: Tombstones Mausoleum SONGS: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again Cross Skulls Spike Moss

ACT 2: Scene 6 SUMMARY: As the opera house prepares for the performance of “DJT”, Raoul reviews instructions with the guards and they all form a plan to catch the Phantom. SETS: NONE PROPS: Marksmen’s weapons SONGS: NONE

ACT 2: Scene 7 SUMMARY: The company performs DJT. While performing, Piangi walks off stage and the Phantom hangs him. The Phantom takes his place on stage with Christine. Piangi’s body is revealed, and the Phantom escapes with Christine. SETS: The Stage of the POH during DJT PROPS: NONE SONGS: The Point of No Return

ACT 2: Scene 8 SUMMARY: The Phantom is taking Christine through the labyrinth. Raoul, Madame Giry, and an angry mob follow. Giry warns Raoul to be careful, he removes his coat, and follows them. SETS: NONE PROPS: Raoul’s coat Torches SONGS: Down Once More / Track Down This Murderer

ACT 2: Scene 9 SUMMARY: The wax figure sits on the Phantom’s throne. Raoul arrives and the Phantom puts the lasso around his neck. The Phantom forces Christine to choose one of them. She kisses the Phantom, but he realizes it is out of pity, and sends them away. Meg and the mob arrive and find only the Phantom’s mask and cloak on his throne. SETS: NONE PROPS: NONE SONGS: NONE