The Style of Musical Theatre

Defining Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre: A genre that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance to tell a story. Its elements are integral to the plot and characters’ development.
Broadway and West End: The two main centres of the genre, located in New York and London respectively. They often dictate trends and standards within the artform.
Musical Styles: Musical theatre encompasses a variety of styles, including pop, rock, classical, jazz, gospel, blues, and many more.

Components of Musical Theatre

Script: This is the basis of the show, providing the spoken dialogue between characters, the plot structure, and thematic content.
Score: This contains all the music in the show, including songs, underscoring, and instrumental segments.
Lyrics: These usually reflect the characters’ emotions, motivations, or actions and help advance the plot.
Choreography: Dance routines and movements accompany music and dialogue, often depicting emotions or advancing the narrative.

Characteristics of Musical Theatre

Ensemble Numbers: Often include full company choruses or smaller ensemble pieces used to represent collective thoughts or events.
Solos: Showcase a particular character’s emotional journey or critical plot points.
Duo or Small Ensemble Numbers: Usually highlight character relationships or shared experiences.
Integration: All elements - music, dialogue, movement - are integrated and interdependent, each contributing to the storytelling.

Key Elements in Performance

Characterisation: Performers flesh out their characters through song, dance, and dialogue, connecting them with the audience.
Vocals: A core element of musical theatre. It demonstrates a wide range of styles and techniques including belting, legit singing, and character voices.
Acting Through Song: Singers must convey the emotions and thoughts of their characters while maintaining melody, rhythm, and lyrical interpretation.
Physicality: Elements like blocking, dance, and movement play a fundamental role in narrative and character development.

Occurrence of Genres

Golden Age Musicals: Classics such as “Oklahoma!” or “West Side Story,” which often feature love stories, idealised settings, and incorporate dance sequences into the plot.
Contemporary Musicals: Modern musicals like “Hamilton” or “In the Heights” that incorporate rap and hip-hop, rock, and pop into their scores.
Concept Musicals: Shows like “Chicago” or “Cats” focus more on a theme or idea rather than a traditional narrative.

Performance Preparation

Rehearsals: Performers practice their lines, songs, and dance routines over weeks or months to ensure a smooth-running, well-performed show.
Vocal Warm-ups: Essential for keeping the voice healthy and prepared for the demands of singing in a show.
Character Study: Understanding a character’s motivation, backstory, relationships, and personal attributes allows for a more genuine and convincing portrayal.
Ensemble Work: The collective effort of all actors, ensuring the connection and chemistry among them, which contributes to a unified and convincing performance.