LAMusicals

Musical theatre often appeals to the masses in their theatricality, appeals to popular culture, and subject matter. Whether serious or comedic, simple or profound, musicals aim to attract the widest audience possible, and draw from a different artistic perspective than other plays such as the classics that may only interest academic types, musicals attempt to please anyone and everyone. This however, is an art in itself.

Success in musicals depends on multiple factors, such as entertainment value, innovation, and musical score and lyrics. Often times, the most successful musicals, such as //Wicked// and //The Lion King,// feature music that people want to listen to outside of the theater. Additionally, musicals that achieve fantastic box office sales include music and lyrics that pertain to popular culture, such as hip-hop and rock and roll in //Rent// and //Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk.// Music in itself plays a big role in the musical's ability to captivate an audience, to serve as a impetus to a tapping foot or a bobbing head. Musicals enjoy the advantage of constant change and new approaches, and often the most risky ventures turn into the smash box-office hits of the season. For example, Boy George's //Taboo// assumes people's interest in the life and career of the eccentric performer, and yet it succeeds despite the cursory doubts of critics.

Failed musicals, however, may not exhibit music that appeals to the masses. It may be too boring or too conservative to capture an audience eager for entertainment rather than education or intellectual provocation (which is not to say musicals cannot be this, only that they must also be able to reach a wider audience).

Innovation also contributes greatly to the success of a musical. As seen in the DVD, almost every musical took great risks in their developmental stages, such as choosing to adapt the novel //Wicked// into a musical production, as well as to pitch //Avenue Q// to theatrical producers. //Wicked// created a national phenomenon with its popularity, and much of this results from its interesting music, costumes, and character development, or the telling of a classic story from a completely different perspective than the original. Additionally, the use of masks and costumes in //The Lion King// create a whole different fascination with the characters designed as part human and part puppet in an combination to create an animal. Even children, according to the video, can understand that the main character is a lion, even though the performer stands upright and his face is not covered by an animal mask. This creates a majestic component that is not always found in these types of productions, and captivates the audience with a single glance. Musicals that fail, however, often also fail to bring something new to Broadway, which detracts from popular interest in the production.

The success of a musical production depends on a combination of these factors, and its possibility for failure can be attributed to its lack of ingenuity and creativity.