There has been a trend over the last 20 or so years to use popular music as the basis for a musical’s score, which is what we call a Jukebox Musical Links to an external site.. ‘Jersey Boys Links to an external site.’ uses the music of The Four Seasons Links to an external site.to tell the story of The Four Seasons, which is similar to how ‘Beautiful Links to an external site.’ used the music of Carole King Links to an external site.to tell her life story. ‘Rock of Ages Links to an external site.’ uses the music from different hair bands in the 1980s to tell a silly story as an excuse to put this style of music on Broadway, while ‘American Idiot Links to an external site.’ told an entire story with Green Day Links to an external site.’s music without any spoken dialogue between songs, which is similar to how ‘The Who’s Tommy Links to an external site.’ was adapted to the stage.
For the final assignment in this unit you are going to write your own musical using existing songs! Here’s your start:
Step 1: Choose a musical artist or genre of music to provide your music & lyrics. Make sure there’s enough music so you have a lot of choice.
Step 2: Choose the best options for your opening number AND I am/I want songs.
I suggest trying a few different options for each and then put them together in different combinations – what stories and dramatic possibilities start to emerge?
Does it feel like these characters are aware they’re singing (diegetic – see the Wikipedia screenshot above)? How aware are they of the audience?
You can change the feeling of the songs differently than the way the songs are originally:
-tempo: faster or slower
-the feeling: more or less rhythmic driven; different musical instruments
-the roadmap: repeat or remove sections, change keys
-the arrangement: soloists, duos, trios or ensemble singing
…use Playbill’s list of 39 opening numbers Links to an external site.from the previous module for inspiration – you do what you need to do to serve the story you’re telling!
Step 3: Develop the show preliminarily and sketch out the plot.
What’s the world like – is it like our reality or different? Is it in a certain time period?
Who are the characters and what do they want? What’s in their way (which is what the end of Act 1 is all about)?
Is there an overarching metaphor for the show, or will it be more entertaining rather than enlightening or poignant?
Can you imagine details about costumes and lighting and the set? Are you going to go simple or big and technically demanding?
Feel free to make a video recorded response (if you’re comfortable with that) so you can really show me what you’re thinking! If you’re a visual artist, show me! If you’re a performer, what 16 bars would you use to audition for this show?! Have fun!
This is an assignment that we will build onto, so take time and enjoy being creative! Try to see a lot of theatrical possibilities in your choices.
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