KY+Musical

Investing in a Broadway musical has been largely presented as a risky business. There are many unforeseen factors that can lead to a musical’s incredible success or eventual demise. In many cases, all the hard work and money put into a production will be for naught. The score, target audiences, marketing strategies, and favorable plotlines all have a hand in determining the future of a musical on Broadway.

The score of a musical is arguably the most important aspect of the production. Aside from the book of the musical, the songs and lyrics are the most memorable element of the performance. Lyrics of the scores seem to be a large determining factor in the success of a musical. Comedy appears to be a lucrative pathway, as evidenced by the ultimate success of Avenue Q. Also, heartfelt, sentimental lyrics and songs seem to be a hit with audiences, such as in Phantom of the Opera or songs such as “For Good” or “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. The songs must be catchy and memorable. In the successful musicals, the score is powerful in some way. The songs and lyrics must be fresh and original as well. Avenue Q, for example, can credit much of its success to its creative twist on the classic Muppet and Sesame Street style puppets. The juxtaposition of the familiar childhood dolls and the shockingly truthful and adult lyrics of the musical obviously struck a chord with audiences across the globe.

Target audiences are also a large determining factor in the success of a musical production. Taboo was one musical that most likely did not have a practical target audience in mind, thereby leading to the close of the show soon after its debut. Audiences are drawn to performances that they feel comfortable with. The musical theater does not tend to be the place where controversial topics are brought onto the stage. Avenue Q presents common stereotypes and taboo subjects up (“Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist” and “The Internet is For Porn”) in a light-hearted, comedic manner, so the audience members are still at ease. Wicked is a very family friendly production that has an incredibly large target audience, as indicated by its vast commercial success.

Marketing strategies are also very important in the fate of a Broadway musical. If a musical is not properly sold to producers, an excellent musical may never see the lights of Broadway. In the DVD, it was seen that each Broadway musical up for consideration had to undergo deep scrutiny before being considered. Should the writers of a musical be unable to convince Broadway producers that their play will be successful, their work will receive the axe. Once writers have undergone much of the preliminary auditions, should the musical not be commercialized properly and directed towards the correct audience, the success of the play is also at risk.

Favorable and relatable plotlines are key in the success of a Broadway musical. The book of the musical will be what drives the dialogue and action on the stage. The score is what will solidify a musical and make it memorable. In the case of Wicked, the musical was largely successful due to the familiarity of most Americans with the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Creating a musical based on a book about the untold story of the Witch of the West played on an aspect of the childhood of most Americans. The Wizard of Oz is a classic tale that most people are familiar with, so to provide a background story to one of the most hated childhood characters contributed to Wicked’s ultimate success. The same can be said for the commercial success of The Lion King on Broadway, as it is a classic Disney movie. The familiar storyline appeals to a vast variety of people, as is the common theme with all the factors involving the successes of Broadway musicals.