Musical Theater Performance

🎭Musical Theater Performance Unit 1 – Musical Theater Fundamentals

Musical theater combines music, dialogue, acting, and dance to tell stories and express emotions. It originated from 19th-century theatrical forms and spans various genres. The genre requires collaboration among creative teams and performers to bring shows to life. Key elements include music that advances the plot, spoken dialogue, acting, dance, and stagecraft. The "triple threat" performer excels in singing, acting, and dancing. Musical theater has evolved from early forms to contemporary productions, pushing boundaries and exploring new styles.

What's Musical Theater?

  • Combines music, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance to tell a story and express characters' emotions
  • Typically involves a live orchestra or band accompanying the performers on stage
  • Originated from various 19th-century theatrical forms (operetta, music hall, vaudeville)
  • Consists of a book (script), music (score), and lyrics working together to create a cohesive narrative
  • Requires a collaborative effort among the creative team (composers, lyricists, book writers, directors, choreographers)
  • Spans various genres and styles (comedy, drama, romance, historical, fantasy)
  • Includes both original works and adaptations of existing stories or films (The Lion King, Legally Blonde)

Key Elements of Musical Theater

  • Music serves to advance the plot, develop characters, and convey emotions
    • Songs range from solos and duets to large ensemble numbers
    • Underscoring enhances dramatic moments and transitions between scenes
  • Spoken dialogue moves the story forward and provides context for the musical numbers
  • Acting brings characters to life and helps the audience connect with their journeys
    • Performers must convey believable emotions and relationships through their acting choices
  • Dance and movement add visual interest and help express the story and characters' feelings
    • Choreography can range from simple gestures to elaborate production numbers
  • Stagecraft elements (sets, costumes, lighting, sound) create the world of the show and enhance the storytelling
  • The "triple threat" performer excels in singing, acting, and dancing to meet the demands of the genre
  • The "11 o'clock number" is a show-stopping song near the end of the musical that showcases a character's emotional journey or resolution

Historical Development

  • Early forms of musical theater emerged in the 19th century (operetta, burlesque, vaudeville)
  • The Ziegfeld Follies (1907-1931) featured lavish production numbers and popularized the revue format
  • Show Boat (1927) integrated music, dialogue, and dance to tell a serious story, setting a new standard for the genre
  • The Golden Age of musical theater spanned from the 1940s to the 1960s
    • Rodgers and Hammerstein revolutionized the form with shows like Oklahoma! (1943) and South Pacific (1949)
    • Other notable composers of this era include Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Leonard Bernstein
  • The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of the "mega-musical" with shows like A Chorus Line (1975) and Les Misérables (1985)
  • Contemporary musical theater continues to evolve and push boundaries (Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen)

Famous Shows and Composers

  • Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II: Oklahoma! (1943), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951), The Sound of Music (1959)
  • Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim: West Side Story (1957)
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber: Jesus Christ Superstar (1970), Evita (1976), Cats (1981), The Phantom of the Opera (1986)
  • Stephen Sondheim: Company (1970), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Into the Woods (1987)
  • Jonathan Larson: Rent (1996)
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda: In the Heights (2008), Hamilton (2015)
  • Other notable shows: A Chorus Line (1975), Les Misérables (1985), The Lion King (1997), Wicked (2003), The Book of Mormon (2011)

Vocal Techniques for Musical Theater

  • Singers must master various styles (legit, belt, mix) to meet the demands of different roles and shows
  • Legit singing emphasizes a classical, operatic sound with a smooth, connected tone
    • Suitable for roles in shows like The Phantom of the Opera or The Light in the Piazza
  • Belting involves a powerful, chest-dominant sound with a bright, forward placement
    • Often used in contemporary shows like Wicked or Rent
  • Mix combines elements of legit and belt, allowing for a smooth transition between registers
  • Proper breathing technique is essential for supporting the voice and maintaining stamina throughout a performance
  • Diction and articulation ensure that lyrics are clearly understood by the audience
  • Singers must act through their songs, conveying emotions and character development
  • Regular vocal training and warm-ups help maintain vocal health and prevent injury

Acting in Musical Theater

  • Performers must create believable, multi-dimensional characters that audiences can connect with
  • Acting choices should be grounded in the character's objectives, obstacles, and relationships
  • Actors must be able to transition seamlessly between spoken dialogue and singing
  • Physicality and body language help convey a character's emotions and personality
  • Listening and reacting to scene partners is crucial for creating authentic interactions on stage
  • Performers must be able to take direction and make adjustments based on feedback from the creative team
  • Understanding the historical and cultural context of a show informs character choices and interpretations
  • Actors should study the script and score to fully understand their character's journey and motivations

Dance and Movement Basics

  • Dance and movement help bring the world of the show to life and express characters' emotions
  • Choreography can range from simple gestures to elaborate production numbers
  • Basic dance techniques include ballet, jazz, and tap
    • Ballet provides a foundation for posture, alignment, and grace
    • Jazz emphasizes isolation, syncopation, and style
    • Tap focuses on rhythm, timing, and percussive footwork
  • Performers must be able to pick up and execute choreography quickly and accurately
  • Spatial awareness is essential for navigating the stage and interacting with other performers
  • Dance numbers often require synchronization and precision among the ensemble
  • Actors should develop flexibility, strength, and stamina to meet the physical demands of musical theater
  • Movement can also include stage combat, mime, and other specialized skills depending on the show

Putting It All Together: The Performance

  • Successful performances require the integration of singing, acting, and dancing skills
  • Rehearsals allow performers to explore their characters, develop chemistry with scene partners, and refine their performances
    • Table reads focus on analyzing the script and understanding the story and characters
    • Blocking rehearsals establish the physical movement and positioning of actors on stage
    • Sitzprobe is the first rehearsal with the orchestra, focusing on integrating the music with the performances
  • Tech rehearsals incorporate lighting, sound, costumes, and set changes to create the final production
  • Dress rehearsals are full runs of the show in costume, allowing performers to experience the flow of the production
  • Performers must maintain focus and energy throughout the run of a show, delivering consistent performances each night
  • Understudies and swings must be prepared to step into roles at a moment's notice
  • The stage manager oversees the smooth running of the show, calling cues and coordinating all aspects of the production
  • Live theater requires adaptability, as unexpected challenges or mistakes may arise during a performance


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.