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