ORIGINS

Factors leading to the birth of Musical Theatre: The large amounts of immigrants making up the U.S. in

late 19th & early 20th centuries and their respective music & dance traditions.

The Minstrel shows, musical revues, and vaudeville paved the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFYmz0Mq9xI

WHERE WAS THIS HAPPENING?

NEW YORK CITY

BROADWAY WAS THE HEART OF MUSIC THEATRE

Showboat (1927) established American Musical Theatre and it has been evolving ever since.

Oklahoma, West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sweeney Todd, Rent, The Lion King, Wicked, Book of Mormon….and the list goes on and on.

TYPES OF MUSICALS

OPERA – La Traviata COMIC OPERA- HMS Pinafore MUSICAL COMEDY- Guys and Dolls MUSICAL REVUE- Smokey Joe’s Cafe ROCK OPERA- Jesus Christ Superstar MUSICAL PLAY- Fiddler on the Roof

WHO’S WHO IN MUSICALS?

COMPOSERThe person who writes the score (the music).

LYRICISTThe person who writes the lyrics.

FRANK LOESSER1910-1969

He wrote Guys and Dolls,How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,Baby It’s Cold Outside

WHO’S WHO IN MUSICALS

Choreographer The person who designs the dances for the

stageChoreographers can develop their own distinct styles: What musical are these pictures from?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcrZIK3gqbU

WHO’S WHO IN MUSICALS

Director In charge of the artistic vision of the whole

production. Tadeusz Bradecki on Guys and Dolls: http

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOO_j54vCc

In New York City, you’ll meet wise guys and chorus gals, gamblers and actresses, cops and bobby-soxers. Pious Sarah Brown, a sergeant at the Save-A-Soul mission, wants to save their souls while Nathan Detroit needs $1000 to save the city’s oldest floating craps game. Enter high-roller Sky Masterson who takes Nathan’s crazy bet – to woo the virtuous Sarah! Guys and Dolls has been called the “greatest of all American musicals.”

SONGS THAT LIVE ON…

Some songs from musicals have been adopted by musicians and reinterpreted. They are introduced to new listeners because of this and sometimes take on a life of their own.

“Hello, Dolly” “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” “Send in the Clowns” “Popular” “If I Were a Rich Man”

IF I WERE A BELL

If I Were A Bell is sung by Sgt. Sarah Brown after a night in Havana.

1992 Guys and Dolls Revival: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC_cdx7Q

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How would you describe this song?

BROADWAY VERSION

Very clear diction Emphasis on the story Vibrato Sarah sings with character Interplay with the other actor in the scene Full orchestra accompaniment

MILES DAVIS QUINTET

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36wafFjFdYs

What do you hear?

What instrument has the melody?

Instruments: Miles Davis -trumpet

John Coltrane -tenor saxophoneRed Garland -pianoPaul Chambers -bassPhilly Joe Jones –drums

No lyrics More improvisation Melody clear at beginand end of piece

ELLA FITZGERALD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqVYFztmxds

How does this version differ from the original?

ELLA…

Different tone of voice Takes more liberties with the melody,

especially in the second verse Diction is clear but her phrasing is

interesting- not as concerned with telling the story to advance plot

Featured instruments

SARAH VAUGHAN

SARAH AND JOE

Slightly more laid back feel

Playful, personalizes song

Duet

Character in voice- slides, pronunciation of text, vibrato

Changes to rhythm