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LITR 4533: |
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Genre Presentation 2000 |
Paula Kay Thomson
Musicals
Definitions:
Musical- a film or theatrical production typically of a sentimental or humorous nature that consists of musical numbers and dialogue based on a unifying plot.
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
The American Musical- Incorporating the songs and sketchy plots of operetta with topical numbers of the revue, musicals began in England at the end of the 19th century. In the United States, it began during World War I with the colorful extravaganzas of George M. Cohan. Thereafter musicals flourished primarily in the United States. The songs were light and popular, and emphasis was places on chorus dancing rather than singing.
Author Denny Martin Flinn says, "Oklahoma!(1943) Defined the beginning of a golden age. Here the integration of singing, acting, and dancing came into full flower, with every idea put forth to the audience not in song, dance, or dialogue but in song, dance, and dialogue virtually simultaneously…That was the essence of the American musical. We invented the actor who can sing, the singer who can dance, the dancer who can act. We invented the people who can do all three. We created the shows that demanded those talents." (xiii)
Flinn, Denny Martin, Musical: A Grand tour, New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillian, 1997.
Related genres: lyrical poetry, live theatre, film, song
Representational genre: Musical = Dialogue + narrator
Narrative genre: Comedy, Tragedy, Romance, Satire
Example: Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS (1981)
CATS is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Tale of Practical Cats
Highlights of the Example: Songs used to explain character, dialogue is sung, theatrical costumes, elaborate stage setting
Additional examples of genre: Andrew Llyod Webber, The Phantom Of the Opera, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Dreamworks’ The Prince of Egypt
Resources: See above
Questions:
Musicals produce two extreme reactions in people, you either love them or hate them. Why do you feel that this genre produces this result?
CATS will be closing on September 10, 2000 after 18 years on Broadway. It is the longest running Broadway musical. What do you think contributes to its staying power?
BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS (155)
THE RUM TUM TUGGER
The Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat:
If you offer him pheasant he would rather have grouse.
If you put him in a house he would much prefer a flat,
If you put him in a flat then he’d rather have a house.
If you set him on a mouse then he only wants a rat,
If you set him on a rat then he’d rather chases a mouse.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curios Cat—
And there isn’t any call for me to shout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore:
When you let him in, then he wants to be out;
He’s always on the wrong side of every door,
And as soon as he’s at home, then he’d like to get about.
He likes to lie in the bureau drawer,
But he makes such a fuss if he can’t get out.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat—
And it isn’t any use for you to doubt it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast:
His disobliging ways are a matter of habit.
If you offer him fish then he always wants a feast;
When there isn’t any fish then he won’t eat a rabbit.
For he only likes what he finds for himself;
So, you’ll catch him in it right up to his ears,
If you put it away on the larder shelf.
The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing,
The Rum Tum Tugger doesn’t care for a cuddle;
But he’ll leap on your lap in the middle of your sewing,
For there’s nothing he enjoys like a horrible muddle.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat—
And there isn’t any need for me to spout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!