MUSICAL THEATRE: THE HISTORY OF MUSICAL THEATRE
(FIRST YEAR MUSICAL THEATRE CLASS STUDENTS)
OBJECTIVES:
1. To advance the student's knowledge on the history of musical theatre.
2. To research information on the history musical theatre in which the student finds answers to questions on significant developments in the history of this theatrical genre.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Using the INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN EACH SECTION, research the required information on Musical Theatre to enable you to complete the information sheet.
2. Complete the assignment and hand it in to Mr. Dencer for evaluation (Note: the information should be completed by ______________).
EVALUATION: This assignment will be marked out of 75 marks and will count on the first report card period. The value of each question in this information search is in brackets after the question number.
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SECTION 1: WHAT IS A MUSICAL?
(http://www.musicals101.com/musical.htm)
1. (2) A “musical” may be defined as __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. (1) When did music to tell stories have its origins? ____________________________
3. (2) What two forms of musical theatre were common in Britain, France and Germany by the 1700’s? _________________________________________________________
4. (1) When did “comic operas “ dominate Broadway? _________________
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SECTION 2: THE ELEMENTS OF A MUSICAL
(http://www.musicals101.com/score.htm)
THE SCORE:
5.(2) What is the function of the VERSE? __________________________________________________________________________________
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6. (2) What is the function of the CHORUS or REFRAIN?
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7. (8) Define these types of musical theatre songs:
(a) Ballads
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(b) Charm
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(c) Comedy
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(d) Musical Scenes
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8. (3) What three character experiences do most musical theatre songs revolve around?
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9. (10) What is the purpose of each of these song placements?
(a) Opening number
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(b) The Main “I want” number
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(c) the “Eleven O’Clock” number
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(d) The finale
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(e) a reprise
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THE BOOK
(http://www.musicals101.com/book.htm)
10 (2) What is the book or libretto?
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11 (6) Name the six functions of the musical’s book
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SECTION 3 THE HISTORY OF MUSICAL THEATRE
(http://www.musicals101.com/stagecap.htm)
12. (2) The musical as we know it had its roots in what type of musical? When?
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13. (4) Name the four types of variety entertainment that gave musical theatre its “comic soul”
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14. (2) (http://www.musicals101.com/1860to79.htm). What were ballad operas?
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15. (2) (http://www.musicals101.com/gilbert.htm). What type of musicals were written by Gilbert and Sullivan? _________________
16. (18) (http://www.musicals101.com/stagecap.htm). What were the major advances made in American musical theatre in the following decades?
(a) 1910’s
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(b) 1920’s
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(c) 1930’s
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(d) 1940’s
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(e) 1950’s
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(f) 1960’s
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(g) 1970’s
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(h)1980’s
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(i) 1990’s
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SECTION 4: "GREASE"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(musical)
1. Into how many acts is the play divided? _________
2. Who wrote the lyrics? _________________________
3. Who wrote the music? ____________________________________
4. Who produced the original version of Grease? ___________________________
5. When did the stage adaptation of the musical first open in New York? ______________
6. The film version was produced in the year _________
7. What is the setting for the play? (time and place)
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8.What qualities did the original show producers want the musical to have?
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PLEASE DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SECTION
MARKS AND COMMENTS:
SECTION 1 / 6
SECTION 2 / 33
SECTION 3 / 28
SECTION 4 / 8
TOTAL / 75
