spmusicals

Using as source material the videos linked to the wiki schedule page illustrating musical theatre, the dvd seen in class covering the development and making of Taboo, Caroline, or Change, Wicked, and Avenue Q, as well as The Fantasticks, speculate on aspects of the shows presented that appear to have led to their success and/or failure in the periods in which they were developed. In other words, why have some shows succeeded while others have failed, during the period when they were created.

Musical show business, in terms of making profit, is an extremely high-risk endeavor for those who invest in it. To be successful, a musical requires the hard work and absolute dedication from all the people involved within the workings of its production. Not only that, it requires an audience, preferably one that is rather engaged in the music, acting, choreography, and storyline of the musical. There are other factors involved, such as critic reviews. All of these factors make the success of a musical a gamble in its own right.

The casting of the show is very critical to its success. To perform in a musical often requires a combination of superb acting, dance, and singing skills. Even if their skills in the fields are not top notch, actors can be very well chosen for qualities that fit the director's vision of a character. Regarding the show //Contact//, the choreographer, Susan Stroman, was set in her decision as to who to cast for the Girl in the Yellow Dress. She wanted someone mysterious and sensual, and when she saw Deborah Yates, Stroman knew that she wanted her, provided she could dance. This goes for many other plays; some actors simply can represent their roles more convincingly than another person with more technical skill can.

The show needs to also be easily digested by the public. This means it needs to be engaging for a wide range of diverse people. The more a show can draw the attention of the audience, the more people will come to see it, and the more merchandise can be sold. In the case of //Wicked//, the songs and presentation were very well enjoyed by nearly all who saw it, regardless of age. A young child could enjoy it in the same way that her mother could. However, with a show like //Taboo,// it is much harder to engage a wide range of audiences. The same young child would not be able to appreciate the content of the play like an older person could. Sometimes it isn't as profitable to make a musical that has shock value, as there is the real chance that it won't be appreciated.

External factors also affect the viability and productivity of the musical. Critical reception is an important part of bringing in audiences. With movies, y ou pay before you see, making it a gamble for the audience. Generally, when going to see a movie, most have already checked its ratings and asked how it was. The same concept applies to musical theatre. If people read the //New York Times// and see that a show was heavily panned, they would be hesitant to pay for the show. Good reviews lead to larger audiences.

The factors that make a successful and profitable musical are overwhelming to consider. However, when the stars align right, there can be alot of money and awards to be made off of a performance. Conversely, the more money you put into a show, the more risky the gamble becomes as there is more to be lost. This is why directors, producers, costume and set designers, and everyone else involved in a musical must put in hours and hours of dedicated work into making the show run the best it can possibly be run.