Musical theatre originated from Greek theatre and other theatrical traditions incorporating music and dance to advance the plot and develop characters. A musical typically has music, lyrics, and a book (dialogue) that are integrated to tell a story. Key components include opening and closing numbers to set the tone and leave an impression, the "I want" song revealing character motivations, the act 1 closer hooking audiences for intermission, the 11 o'clock number energizing viewers in act 2, and song types like ballads and comedy numbers. Modern musicals come in various styles like book, rock, concept, jukebox, movie, and mega musicals utilizing different sources and production elements.

1. Musical Theatre
A Quick introduction to musicals

2. What is musical theatre?
• A genre of drama in which singing and dancing play an
essential part.

3. Where did musical theatre originate?
• Musical theatre has its roots in Greek theatre, Operettas, and Vaudeville.
While the use of music and dancing in a performance were not a new
concept, the musical used music and dance to advance story and build
characters.
• The standard musical was originated in America with the opening of
Showboat created by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II in 1927

4. What makes musical theatre different
from other forms of theatre?
Differences from opera
• Focus on spoken dialogue
• Dance is much more important
• Generally amplifies the singer
• Uses popular styles
• Almost always in the same language as the audience
• Differences from “straight” plays that have music
• Music drives the plot and characters
• Songs are usually outside the normal action

5. What about the Script?
Every musical has three components: music, lyrics, and book
• The book is the story of the show- generally refers to the spoken
dialogue
• The book and the lyrics combined are sometimes called the libretto
• The lyrics and the music combined are called the score

6. Whos in charge?
Every musical production generally has five “major” positions
• Director
• Musical Director
• Choreographer

7. Whos on stage?
• Principals
• Featured role
• Ensemble
• Swing
• Pit
• Understudy

8. What are the types of musicals?
• Book Musical
• Rock/Pop/Rap Musical
• Concept Musical
• Jukebox Musical
• Movie Musical
• Mega Musical

9. Book Musical
• Since the 20th century, the "book musical" has been defined as a
musical play where songs and dances are fully integrated into a
well-made story with serious dramatic goals that is able to evoke
genuine emotions other than laughter.
• Ex. Oklahoma, West Side Story,
Anything Goes

10. Rock Musical
• A rock musical is a musical theatre work with rock music. The genre
of rock musical may overlap somewhat with album musicals, concept
albums and song cycles, as they sometimes tell a story through
the rock music, and some album musicals and concept albums
become rock musicals.
• Ex. Spring Awakening, Tommy by the
Who, Hair

11. Concept Musical
• A concept musical is a musical where the show's metaphor or statement
is more important than the actual narrative. Also known as a
deconstructed or bookless musical, the concept musical will often use
their concept to make some sort of social commentary.
• Ex. Cabaret, Avenue Q, Cats, Chorus Line

12. Jukebox Musical
• A jukebox musical is a stage or film musical that uses previously released
popular songs as its musical score. Usually the songs have in common a
connection with a particular popular musician or group — because they
were either written by, or for, the artists in question, or at least covered
by them.
• Ex. Mama Mia, American Idiot, We Will
Rock You

13. Movie Musical
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the
narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop
the film's characters. The musical film was a natural development of the stage musical.
Typically, the biggest difference between film and stage musicals is the use of lavish
background scenery and locations that would be
impractical in a theater.
Ex. The Greatest Showman, La La Land
Singin’ in the Rain

14. Mega Musical
Relying on pop rhythms, stage hydraulics and high-tech special effects, these shows came to be known as
mega-musicals. In these behemoths, substance took a backseat to spectacle, and occasional hints of humor
were buried in oceans of soap opera sentiment. Although these tech-heavy presentations came with a high
price tag, the best mega-musicals ran for decades, selling tickets to millions of people -- particularly tourists
who had long since fallen out of the habit of going to the theatre.

15. Musical Theatre Song
Structure

16. Key Songs
● Overture
● Opening Number
● The “I want” number
● The act I closer
● The 11 o’clock number
● Finale

17. Overture
● The swell of music heard after theater lights
dim, but before the start of onstage action, is
called the overture. The piece usually contains
"many of the musical motifs and themes of the
score.
● Often used as a way to excite or prepare the
audience.

18. The Opening Number
● According to author Mark Steyn, the first song of
a successful Broadway musical "defines the (main
character's) motivation, kick-starts the plot and
communicates the spirit of the score and the
staging." The opening number sets the tone for
the whole show and starts the "storytelling
process" by grabbing the audience's attention.

19. Hamilton

20. The “I want” song
● An "I Want" song reveals character
motivations and desires. The song typically
appears early in the musical's first act with
one or more characters singing about "the
key motivating desire that will propel
everyone through the remainder of the
show.”

21. My Fair Lady

22. Act I Finale
● A number just before intermission.
The important thing to remember is
to hook the audience. Make them
want to continue watching after a
break.

23. Into the Woods

24. 11 O’Clock Number
● An "Eleven O'clock Number" takes place
during the middle of the second act. It
may be a ballad, a lighthearted number
or comedy song that "energizes the
audience for the final scenes.”

25. Gypsy

26. Finale
● A powerful closing number wraps up
the show's plot and leaves a strong
impression on the audience.
Frequently, the finale includes a
reprise of the one of the show's
"emotion-packed" numbers.

27. Hairspray