| In this article we're going to try to | | | | the fine line between a musical and an |
| explain just what it is that makes a | | | | opera. As a matter of fact, Tommy is |
| musical a musical and go over the more | | | | actually considered a rock opera more |
| technical aspects of the form.By | | | | than it is considered a musical.Usually |
| technical definition, musical theater is | | | | the highlights and most dramatic moments |
| a form of theater that combines music, | | | | of a musical are done in song. The |
| songs, dancing and spoken dialogue. It | | | | reason is because these are the moments |
| is actually closely related to opera, | | | | that the creators want you to remember |
| while purposely avoiding many of the | | | | the most and it is much easier to |
| conventions of opera in order to have a | | | | remember a well done three or four |
| more general appeal.The musical | | | | minute song than it is to remember three |
| components of a musical is called the | | | | or four minutes of spoken dialogue. If |
| score. The sung lines are called lyrics | | | | the emotion that needs to be conveyed is |
| as opposed to plain spoken dialogue | | | | too strong even for song then in those |
| which is simply called dialogue. | | | | cases dance is added to or even put in |
| Usually the person writing the lyrics to | | | | place of singing. A perfect example of |
| the musical is not the same person who | | | | this is the fight scene in "West Side |
| has written the actual story. An | | | | Story" which was done entirely in |
| example of this would be "Wicked" where | | | | dance.Finding a balance between spoken |
| the songs were written by Stephen | | | | dialogue and song is not easy. On top |
| Schwartz, the script by Winnie Holzman | | | | of that the writers must be careful to |
| and the book that it came from by | | | | write songs for each character that |
| Gregory Maguire. This is not uncommon | | | | actually fits the character. For |
| in musical theater.A musical can be | | | | example, a character who is an evil |
| anywhere from a few minutes to a few | | | | villain is not going to sing songs about |
| hours long. The average running time | | | | being happy and in love.Also, it is |
| for a modern musical is about two and a | | | | difficult to establish the drama in a |
| half hours with an intermission about | | | | musical because a five minute song has |
| half way through the play. Some | | | | fewer words in it than five minutes of |
| musicals however do run straight through | | | | spoken dialogue. When an hour and a |
| if they aren't too long. The | | | | half of your musical is actual music, |
| intermissions, when they are present, | | | | this makes it very important that the |
| are about ten to fifteen minutes long. | | | | writers make very good use of the lyrics |
| An average musical will have about | | | | for each song as this will be the |
| twenty to thirty songs. Some will be | | | | vehicle for telling most of the |
| very short pieces and others can be | | | | story.Musical theater is a truly unique |
| quite long. Most musicals usually start | | | | and wonderful form of entertainment. If |
| with an overture which highlights | | | | you haven't had the pleasure of going to |
| several of the songs that will be heard | | | | see a modern day musical or even a |
| throughout the play and set the mood for | | | | revival of an old musical, you owe it to |
| what is about to come. Some musicals, | | | | yourself to do so. It is an experience |
| like "Tommy" can be sung through from | | | | you will not soon forget. |
| beginning to end, which can really blur | | | | |