1. Experiencing Music 2200
Musical Theatre

2. What is musical theatre?
a form of theatre
combines singing, acting, and dance
Usually accompanied by an orchestra, rock band, or pre-recorded music

3. Where do musicals play?
There are 3 main centres for Broadway musicals. Can you guess them?
New York, NY
Toronto, Canada
London, England

4. History of Musical Theatre
1800’s – opera
Out of opera came both operettas and vaudeville, which both contributed to the invention of musicals.
Operattas were stage plays that had songs and dance interspersed with spoken lines.
Vaudeville was an early staged variety show that included songs, dances, and comedy skits.

5. “Little Johnny Jones”
George M. Cohan was one of the first musical composers.
His biggest hit was “Little Johnny Jones” in 1901.
“Give my Regards to Broadway” became a classic song.

6. Triple Threat
To be a good musical theatre performer, you must be a triple threat
Dancer
Singer
Actor
You also must have a large repertoire of songs prepared. A repertoire is an inventory of compositions mastered and performed by a musician.

7. From Broadway to Hollywood
Many musicals become so popular that they become movies
West Side Story (1961) 10 oscars
My Fair Lady (1964) 8 oscars
The Sound of Music (1965) 5 oscars
Cabaret (1972) 8 oscars
Chicago (2002) 6 oscars

8. Rent (a rock musical) Rock musicals largely use rock music.
Rent is a rock musical that was written by Jonathan Larson in 1994.
It follows the story from the opera La Boheme.
It tells the story of a group of poor young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York City which battling HIV/AIDS.

9. The Lion King
The Lion King is an example of a musical derived from a film
It is based on the 1994 Disney Film
Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice
Debuted in 1997
As of April 2012, it was the highest grossing Broadway show of all time, having grossed $853.8 million
Compare the two versions of “Circle of Life” below. Look for differences in the music.

10. Wicked
Wicked is a more modern musical that tells the story of the witches of OZ.
It is based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and also takes inspiration from the Wizard of Oz.
The Good Witch of the North, Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba are unlikely friends who go through several struggles.
Premiered in 2003.