VOCABULARY

Who’s Who in Musicals? Conductor Composer Lyricist Choreographer Principles Soubrette Chorus

C onductor The person who directs the orchestra

C omposer The person who writes the MUSIC SCORE The music of the show, as composed

lyricist The person who writes the WORDS to the music That’s right…there’s no pictures… because its all WORDS!!!! LYRICS The words to a song Book/libretto The entire script of the musical

Choreographer The person who designs the dances for the stage

CHOREOGRAPHY The dances that are designed for a song in a production SO…that means that Choreography is….

principles The named lead characters in a musical

soubrette Secondary female lead, usually a comic role

chorus The singers other than the principles

Types of Musicals Opera Operetta Comic Opera Musical Revue Musical Comedy Concept Musical Musical Play Spoof

Opera Totally music – even conversations are SUNG! Examples La Traviata Sydney Opera House

Operetta A lighter music and actors speak lines rather than just singing Examples Babes in Toyland The Merry Widow

Comic Opera A Offshoot of straight opera, it combines music and humor Examples The Pirates of Penzance The Mikado H.M.S. Pinafore

Musical Revue Consists of a loosely connected series of lavish production numbers Examples Ain’t Misbehavin’

Musical Comedy Combines music and humor Examples Guys and Dolls Annie Get Your Gun Anything Goes

Concept Musical A play that is built around a particular idea Examples Cats A Chorus Line Starlight Express

Musical Play Acting and choreography are equally integral, increased emphasis on real people in real situations Examples Oklahoma! Fiddler on the Roof

Spoof A farcical play that pokes fun at certain subjects or eras (time periods) Examples Once Upon A Mattress Little Mary Sunshine

Parts of (some) Musicals Overture Crossover Lead in Line Change Music Production Number Underscore Vamp Recitative

Overture Music played at the start of a show, a medley of the show’s songs

Crossover A short scene played in front of the curtain while scenery is being changed

Lead in Line The line or lines of dialogue immediately preceding a song, usually underscored

Change music The music played between scenes

Production Number A large-scale musical number involving many performers

Underscore Music played that accompanies dialogue

Vamp To repeat measures of music until a singer is ready

Recitative A singing style that is closer to speaking than to singing

Misc. Other Stuff Backlighting Follow Spot Combos Reversibles

Backlighting Throws light on the performer from above and slightly upstage

Follow Spot A light that throws light on the performer even when they move

Combos A small group of instrumentalists

Reversibles Garments that are made doublefaced so they can be worn either side out