The Broadway

Musicals “And I said to myself sit down, sit down you’re rocking the boat” ~Guys and Dolls Musicals. When you hear the word, you might think of Broadway or New York City, big performances with a standing ovation. This is all true but let me take you behind the curtain to learn about how a Broadway Musical comes to be. The first thing when making a Broadway Musical is writing. The writer, composer, and lyricist usually work together, usually the writer makes a rough draft of the story and then the composer and lyricist work together to put points of where they want their songs to be. At this point, all of them work to make a show out of their separate pieces. The next part after this is done is producing; this is a tricky part, the producer…

Here's some good news - you don't ALWAYS have to read these works to become familiar with them. Check streaming websites to see options for watching productions (Netflix often has high end productions, whereas many amateur shows are uploaded to YouTube). You can also see video of Broadway productions on BroadwayHD (for a fee) and at the New York Public Library Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. There's also a wonderful book about the 1967-68 Broadway Theatrical Season written by William Goldman,…

Lack of Access to Broadway Broadway shows have never been very accessible to a large number of the population. Ticket prices are high and continue to climb, there is a limited amount of touring shows, and a severe lack of officially recorded content. As we move into a more technology-reliant era, a few of these issues are beginning to get resolved, but there is still more that can be done in order for more people to enjoy Broadway. One of the biggest issues consumers of musical theater have, is…

On November 10 I attended Elf the Broadway Musical written by David Berrenbaum and directed by Sam Scalamoni. I attended Elf the Broadway Musical which was put on by Texas A&M University and MSC OPAS. Elf the Broadway Musical was a comedic musical that appealed to audience members of any ages including a range from myself a college student to the family of four sitting next to me. Elf the Broadway Musical was a delight surprise, since I had seen Elf (film) I expected the play to appeal more to a…

Chicago, Mamma Mia!, and Hairspray all premiered in theaters while their counterparts were still on Broadway. There is a reciprocity to these relationships as the marketing prowess of Hollywood gets the name of the productions out to the masses, and a hit Broadway show produces excitement around the film for those far from the stage (“Return of the Hollywood Movie Musical, n.d.). However, the same scenario was true of The Producers so Hollywood cannot rely solely on the Broadway rapport. Another…

acting and the medium in which an actor is showcased have changed landscapes and the up-and-coming “starving actor” is struggling for work. Casting for film has long been equated to having the right “look” and there seems to only be two ways to get your feet on a Broadway stage: insane talent and luck or celebrity status. Broadway’s marquees have historically been crowded by celebrity names that draw audiences and drive ticket prices up, and with recent seasons, it seems more impossible than…

How Rodgers and Hammerstein Changed Broadway When you think of New York City, there is always one thing that automatically comes to mind, Broadway. You walk in Times Square and see all the captivating bright lights and loud noises. You see everybody handing out pamphlets to come see their, shows while there dressed in costume. You can’t help but wonder what their show is about. Whether you like plays and musicals, I’m sure at one point in your life you will see one or hear a song from one. The…

is the hottest musical to hit broadway in decades. It dominated the Tony awards and is completely sold out in every venue for the foreseeable future. This is an American story told in the American medium of the musical and features a diverse American cast. Hamilton is a nearly all black cast. Founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington are played by black actors. These past few years have been celebrated as the best time for minority actors in Broadway history. “Tonys made…

Minorities on Broadway have come a long way since the late 1800s. This Broadway season, diversity is front and center whether it is on stage or in the audience. “About 80 percent of Broadway ticket-buyers are white, according to the Broadway League, but the percentages of black, Hispanic and Asian theatergoers have all risen significantly over the last decade; the League’s program to increase the Hispanic audience size, called Viva Broadway, is chaired by Mr. Miranda’s father, the political…

Broadway actors are required to maintain a higher state of physical, emotional, mental, and social stamina than many other modern day professionals in their careers. The social character that these performers have to possess not only affects their work based life, but also their personal lives as well. Once these artist debut in their first show, many people begin watching them. From people that love the show, to people that work within the industry. No other career parallels to the stress…