So here’s where you teach me about musicals. I
hope this discussion goes off on all sorts of tangents, with me asking
questions about all aspects of musical theatre and you dazzling me with
fascinating new knowledge. Here are some prompts to get you started:
1) What
is your favorite musical? How come?
2) What
resources do you recommend to help me learn? (Post links to book reviews,
videos on YouTube and other places, articles, etc.)
3) What
makes you passionate about this art form in particular?
4) Who
or what introduced you to musicals?
5) Have
you ever performed in a musical? Written one? Please tell me about that.
1) "The Secret Garden" - It touched my heart; reached out to the child in me. Too bad it didn't do as well in the eyes of others.
ReplyDelete"Phantom of the Opera" - Love, love, love the power of the music . . . and it touched my heart; reached out to an older me.
"West Side Story" - Incredible choreography! I also liked the updated setting and correlation with Romeo & Juliet.
2) No idea.
3) I love to sing. I love the way music can touch a heart and speak to people in a positive and powerful way.
4) My mother took me to see "The Sound of Music", at the movies, when I was 6. I didn't realize people could "sing" their way through life and I thought that would be a wonderful way to live. I learned every word of every song from that musical that very day. (She had the album)
5) I performed in a high school production of "Camelot" and was a member of the high school pop ensemble for three years (that was great fun!). Mainly I have kept to the background throughout my life because of my upbringing - lacking the "Confidence" Maria had in "The Sound of Music" (That song speaks to me). Being told "There's always somebody better" . . . well, why even try then? But, when I have the funds and time again, I'd like to sing with the Sweet Adelines, Voices of Liberty, or perform Christian music I've written myself. (I have lyrics just waiting to "live" but never learned to play an instrument.) I have been trained as a coloratura soprano and teach a children's group holiday songs to perform for senior centers (Halloween is the most fun). :)
my favorite musical...very hard to say I like so many
DeleteAnnie will always be my favorite for many reasons. First it is why I fell in love with musical theater. It was the first time I had seen someone my age (9) on stage, singing and dancing, Live on stage, with a full orchestra and I thought WOW!!! I LOVE DOING THAT and I WANT TO BE ON THAT STAGE TOO!!
Through the years I have played Annie age (11), been the chorus of Annie (age 19), and ANNIE again as Lily St.Regis...and EVERY TIME...it is a magical experience. It has EVERYTHING a musical should have it has history ( the great depression) Children, great comedy, emotion, a dog, and a great message....I don't think anyone hasnt left singing tomorrow in their heads when leaving the theater..and feeling a bit more inspired about lIfe..and that to me makes a great musical.
Charles Strouse was brilliant in composing the score...and martin charnin wrote great lyrics
Les Mis is a great musical..but you don't leave singing a song..and your depressed.
Miss Saigon..amazing music, again depressed.
Company, Into the Woods, Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park....again Sondheim is a genius...but its like going to a foreign movie that is not in english...sometimes you need someone to translate...its deep and meaty...but not for everyone.
Then you have shows like Hairspray,( a movie) artsy spectaculars like LION KING...they are fun to see, but not classic.
I suppose new shows that have come out that are classics like Annie...are Thoroughly Modern Millie, Wicked....great story,music ...missing a dog...but thats ok..
I have performed in MANY musicals...and I can't really recommend books to read...but just take a few days and go to NYC and see whats there.
See what shows you can that are on DVD...CATS, Smokey Joes, Memphis, Into the Woods, Sondheim Celebrations...and just watch...
There is a great DVD series out on the history of broadway..I think i have it and would be happy to mail it to you...
Another great movie to watch is EVERY LITTLE STEP...another great musical that I love and have done THREE TIMES...is A CHORUS LINE>.brilliantly written and scored...
I love ensemble shows like the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee...you can see clips of that on YOU TUBE...
Lots of new composers out there like Scott Alan, etc...but the new composers tend to be writing more POP music...its kind of simple....too contemporary and all starts to sound the same to me...
Pasek and Paul have written a new musical A CHRISTMAS STORY based on the movie...it is fun to watch..but again based on the movie which is classic on its own...so making it a musical is really just taking a classic and making it a musical..don't get me wrong I LOVED the musical...minus a couple of numbers..but they are opening this year on broadway...
I know I didnt answer the questions appropriately...but this the download of my brain today..i am sure I have more...:)