The content and style of Sondheim’s musicals work together to speak to the themes of his work. Each show has a slightly different theme, but certain ideas string together all of his works. For example, many of his shows deal with the idea of duality and the extremes; in his shows, he portrays every topic as multi-faceted, neither one thing nor the other. Consequently, his lyrics use concepts of “binary polarity and the transformations of opposites into each other” (Banfield, 9). Because he writes each character to live in the gray area between two extremes, antagonists in his stories do not have purely evil intentions.
How to open a play 101: Start with a funny introduction by one of the cast member, who explains the basic rules of theatre. Make the auditorium pitch black and start with singing Queen 's Somebody to Love. Ladies and Gentleman I would like to introduce you to Othello this time performed by the Dutch theatre group ZEP. Othello is one of Shakespeare 's well-known classics and loved by everyone who loves the Renaissance theatre. This version, directed by Peter Pluymaekers, also shows his love for the Shakespearean story, but a little different than we are used to.
His description of what went on backstage was interesting and pleasing to the eye. Because Leroux was once a reporter, he tries to make the story seem like a report that came from different sources. At first thought it seems like a neat idea, but it fails. Myers then goes on to explain that even though the plot was not good for a novel, it was good for the stage. The story Phantom of the Opera is a dream for any musical lover.
He thinks it is the stage where actors learn life and understand the meaning of acting. Also that where he learned how to act and where he gained confidence. Even acting infront of almost empty theatre doesn't threten him but it gives him strength. He likes musicals because he can communicate with the audience. Also, he believes that TV dramas and films are good at portraying characters in detail.
By taking dance to unfamiliar territories and greatly experimenting with innovative partnering techniques, Pilobolus has created an original style of dance that continues to grow in popularity. The style of the company not only challenges the boundaries of dance, but also the capabilities of the human body. The way the company utilizes technology in the making and showing of its pieces is revolutionary in the realm of modern dance. By mixing acrobatics and drama with different styles of dance, Pilobolus has paved the way for a new branch of dance. For example, after the company’s rise in popularity, groups similar to the company, such as Cirque de Soleil and Elizabeth Streb, emerged (“Ballet-Dance Magazine “Fungi Form”: The Story of Pilobolus”).
Despite her upbringing as a shepherdess, her innate nobility shines through, providing relief to the play. Moreover, parallels with the other comedies reoccur with the presentation of the Clown, instead of the traditional fool, highlighting his kind heart, but foolish ways. Relief accompanies him, as humour ensues with his naïveté and the role he plays to counter the sophistication of the courtiers in the play. Nonetheless, these are only minor incidents that display the characteristics of a comedy, and the ending provides a powerful epiphany that completely counteracts the initial tragedy. The ‘resurrection’ of Hermione brings to mind the word “Tale” from the title, as the imitation of life
Caryl Churchill’s Vinegar Tom is a play with very little in terms of stage directions, but the songs that are so crucial to addressing the main thematic elements almost have the opposite problem of translation of wordless additions to scripts. While the physical manifestations of stage directions are arguably only a reflection, sometimes refraction, of what is actually written, transcribed lyrics to the songs pale in comparison to their actual performance. Part of the ephemerality of theatre parallels that fleeting beauty of love; it follows that I have never once seen a play live without briefly falling in love with one of the characters, actors, and everything that person is embodying for the short time they choose to be vulnerable through performance. In this hopelessly romantic habit of
“Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics” (Victor Pinchuk). Musical theatre may not be the first thing that comes to mind when concerning American culture, however, the theater has greatly shaped America into what it is today. Portraying a story through song and dance allows for an expression of emotion that cannot be replicated. With this method of storytelling, artists have been able to integrate social and political issues in a way that makes the audience not only want to listen, but enjoy. Musical theatre is able to address important and controversial topics such as racism, women’s rights, and violence in an entertaining and fresh way.
In the 19th century human thought and philosophy had a strong impact on the development of realistic theatre. COMPARISON OF COSTUME In epic theatre costumes are confused and disconnected from their characters, however in realism it is according to the character and true to the time the play is set and also according to the time period and reflecting each character. COMPARISON OF NARRATION In epic theatre narrator observes and reports to the audience and also in between narrator can address the audience by asking questions whereas in realism no narration is used. All the scenes are portray as if real life. COMPARISON OF STAGING In epic theatre stage indicates only the place of scene but mostly blank and are very simple.
Some critics did not appreciate the show not being family friendly, the modern-day issues the show discussed, the manner in which stereotypes were portrayed, and the intense similarity to La Boheme. Musical theatre critic, journalist, and author Scott Miller says “Rent shouldn’t have worked because its music is genuine rock and roll...theatre audiences loved it and so did the pop music audience...Larson...did the near impossible by successfully blending the two without emasculating either...satisfying both audiences. The CD quickly became the best selling cast