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