ammusical

In order to have a successful musical there seems to be a combination of talent, determination, and a bit of luck. Regardless of how much work is put into a musical, ultimately it is the audience who decides if the show will go on. If sales or even presales of tickets are not high enough to meet the extreme costs of running a musical, then a show will be canceled. The most important aspect is the viewer. Without a paying audience, the highly expensive costumes, designs, wages, and space rental as shows in the in class video will go unpaid. As shown by the readings, the in class DVD, and the youtube example of “Show Business” it is clear that to maintain an ample supply of audience enthusiasm in a musical there must be popular genres of dance and music, a relatable aspect, an original plot/interpretation, some sort of hook, and a tremendous amount of detail work.

As described by __A Creative Spirit,__ a musical combines popular dance, music, and singing in a dramatic plot. A key word in this description is the word “popular.” By this definition a key component of a musical’s success is the ability of the musical to aptly determine which genres will be the most popular with the viewing audience. Some examples of genres that have been used in modern musicals include Hip Hop, Rap, and Pop. These music genres would appeal to a younger audience. In more dramatic musicals, for example //The Phantom of the Opera//, Classical music is still employed because it is always popular amongst many ages. In addition to being popular the music must be memorable. If an audience member cannot remember the music, then it is very unlikely that he/she will recommend it to friends.

The in class DVD made it apparent that a hook is necessary to bring in viewers. For //Wicked// it was the twist on a classic story. For //Avenue Q// it was a parody of a childhood television show. The video “Show Business” provides another example by highlighting the fact that celebrity appeal can bring in viewers. In //Oklahoma// the celebrity of Hugh Jackman could bring in audience members that just wanted to see him.

As seen in the video “Show Business,” a musical must appeal to the ideals of an audience in order to be successful. If an audience cannot relate emotionally, situationally, or morally with a musical, then it is very unlikely that the musical will continue being performed. One example of a musical that sought to relate to the troubles of the audience is //West Side Story// which explored the troubles of finding the American Dream in a society that can be so unforgiving. //Avenue Q// was literally meant to mirror the lives of young adults, but in puppet form.

Regardless of the amount of work put into a musical, it seems impossible to be successful without having a directed audience. In //Caroline, or Change// there was an exception to this rule because the people funding the musical were willing to lose money on a not extremely marketable production because they believed it should be shown. In most cases, however, the success lies almost exclusively on the reaction of the audience, and everything is catered for their entertainment.