MUSICAL THEATRE: THE HISTORY OF MUSICAL THEATRE
(2nd.-4th. 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.
MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY: "GREASE"
STUDENT'S NAME: ___________________________
GRADE: _______
References: Websites - see website listing for each question section. Total marks = 75.
GREASE
SECTION 1 (value 10 marks) 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. For how many Tony Awards was "Grease" nominated?______________________________________________________
9.What qualities did the original show producers want the musical to have?
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SECTION 2 (Value 8 marks)
(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_(musical) for questions 10 & 11)
10. What is the name of the guys' gang in the original stage version of "Grease"? (1 mark) _______________________________________________________________________
11.What is the name of the girls' gang in the original stage version of "Grease"? (1 mark)
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12."Grease" vocabulary. Write the meaning of each of these 50's words used in "Grease" (5 marks) http://www.fiftiesweb.com/fashion/slang.htm
(a) raunchy ________________________________________________________________________
(b) chrome-plated
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(c) flat-top ________________________________________________________________________
(d) Greaser ________________________________________________________________________
(e) Passion Pit
13. After which 1950/60's popular music performer was the school in Grease named? (1)
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SECTION 3: LYRICS & MUSIC (Value 24 marks)
http://www.stageagent.com/show_songs.php?id=727
14. Read the lyrics to the following songs. Identify which character sings the song. Describe the theme of the song and what the song contributes to the play (character, plot, setting etc.) ( 24 marks)
(a). " Summer Nights" ________________________________________________________________________
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(b). "Magic Changes" ________________________________________________________________________
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(c) "Mooning" ________________________________________________________________________
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(d) "Alone At A Drive-In Movie"
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(e). "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" ________________________________________________________________________
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(f) " Freddy My Love" ________________________________________________________________________
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SECTION 4(Value 24 marks)
See: http://www.stageagent.com/shows.php?id=727
15. Identify the roles played by each of the following characters in "Grease": Include reference to their significance to the plot, theme, drama or humour etc. (24 marks)
(a) Sandy Dumbrowski ________________________________________________________________________
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(b) Danny Zuko _______________________________________________________________
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(c) Betty Rizzo ________________________________________________________________
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(d) Vince Fontaine ________________________________________________________________________
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(e) Patty Simcox _________________________________________________________________
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(f) Teen Angel ________________________________________________________________________
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(g) Doody ____________________________________________________________
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(h) Marty ______________________________________________________________
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(i) Frenchy ______________________________________________________________
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SECTION 5 (see Wikipedia articles or "google-search" these names)
15. Identify the following "real people" referred to in "Grease" (value 4 marks) Of what relevance are they to "Grease"?
(a) Sandra Dee ________________________________________________________________________
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(b) Debbie Reynolds ________________________________________________________________________
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(c) Sal Mineo ________________________________________________________________________
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(d) Shelley Fabares ________________________________________________________________________
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SECTION 6: (Value 5 marks) - comment on the idea that "Grease has no meaning" and, as such, has no relevance for today's audiences.
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SECTION 7: (Value 5 marks) - What is meant by the idea that "Grease is an ensemble show"? What influence does this concept have on the actors in the production?
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PLEASE DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SECTION
MARKS AND COMMENTS:
SECTION 1 / 10
SECTION 2 / 13
SECTION 3 / 24
SECTION 4 /24
SECTION 5 / 4
SECTION 6 /5
SECTION 7 /5
TOTAL / 75
