2009-10
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
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2. (1) When did music to tell stories have its origins?
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3. (2) What two forms of musical theatre were common in
Britain, France and Germany by the 1700’s?
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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:
"CATS"
"CATS" - Production Information (from
"The Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals" website)
CATS - The Musical(Wikipedia Article)
1. Into how many acts is the play divided? _________
2. Who wrote the lyrics? _________________________
3. Who wrote the music?
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4. Who produced the original version of "CATS"?
___________________________
5. When did the stage adaptation of the musical first open
in New York? ______________
6. The film (Video) version was produced in the year
_________
7. What is the setting for the play? (time and place)
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8.On whose book of poems was the musical based?
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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
