Musical Notes
My friend Anth, a storyteller, a secret actor who writes and lives in West Soho in New York made me think about writing these musical notes today. Musical theatre is not everyone’s cup of tea but it is mine. It’s one of the many musical genres I enjoy.
It’s “a form of theatre combining music, songs, spoken dialogue and dance. The emotional content of the piece whether humor, pathos, love, anger as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole. Since the early 20th century, musical theatre stage works have simply been called “musicals”.
Joyce Hayden, Music Teacher
In my College days we had a wonderful music teacher called Joyce Hayden. It was Mrs Hayden who really laid the groundwork for my love for musical theatre. I’m sure if you asked enough former students they’d tell you she was probably one of thee most loved teachers too, along with my much loved Art teacher, Anne Seymour.
Mrs Hayden was pretty no mess. She was reed thin which one might, looking back, attribute to her love of ciggies yet she had a way of commanding the troops like no other and pounded out musical hit after hit on her trusty piano in Room E2. I suspect few of us really appreciated the worth of her teaching then.
We sang the songs of Oklahoma, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Oliver, My Fair Lady, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado, Showboat The King & I, The Sound of Music, ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, Guys & Dolls, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly, Porgy & Bess and Mary Poppins. So many more but I forget, it’s been a while.
Music, a Universal Language
Music, that universal language, able in a heart beat to lift us out from wherever we are and transport us somewhere different for just that moment in time. When asked why she thought the Sound of Music was, is so successful, Julie Andrews replied, “it’s something to do with the quality of joy, and goodness and decency I think. Incredible music, glorious scenery and there was an integrity running through the whole film on every level.”
The three main components of a musical are the music, the lyrics, and the book. The book of a musical refers to the story. In effect, its spoken (not sung) lines; however, “book” can also refer to the dialogue and lyrics together, which are sometimes referred to (as in opera) as the libretto (Italian for “little book”). The music and lyrics together form the score of the musical.
The interpretation of the musical by the creative team heavily influences the way that the musical is presented. The creative team includes a director, a musical director and usually a choreographer. A musical’s production is also creatively characterised by technical aspects, such as set, costumes, stage properties and lighting that generally change from production to production (although some famous production aspects tend to be retained from the original production, for example, Bob Fosse’s choreography in Chicago).
The Book Musical
The 20th century “book musical” has been defined as a musical play where the songs and dances are fully integrated into a well-made story, with serious dramatic goals, that is able to evoke genuine emotions other than laughter.” I believe the reason I love musical theatre so much is because that ‘quality of joy’ Julie Andrews was talking about earlier, it stays for days.
You can’t beat those feelings, of joy and goodness and decency. It’s something you allow your senses to roll around in, in the great hope that like rolling in mud, great dollops of it will stick to you because it just feels so good. Ask musical theatre-goers. They’ll tell you it’s true but you should go yourself, experience it for yourself. At least once in your life-time. It’s magical.
