theater

PART ONE: Broadway Musical Research Report Select any musical that has been on Broadway to research. This research paper should be no less than two pages typed and should incorporate the vast majority of the information listed below: • Title of your chosen musical • Story origins (fairytale, novel, biography, film, an original plot, etc.) • Overview of the musical’s storyline (plot, setting, main characters, supporting characters, conflict/obstacles, climax, resolution) • Musical’s composer, lyricist and/or librettist • Description of original production (pre-Broadway development, workshop stage, productions in other cities, etc.) • Broadway production: original principal cast, director, producer(s) and technical development team (costume designer, scenic designer, lighting designer, etc.) • Date of Broadway opening and duration of the run • Box office grosses (weekly, annually or overall) • Professional critics’ reviews, cite a few direct quotes • Accolades: the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, the Grammy Awards and/or the Pulitzer Prize for Drama • Your personal opinion of the musical. (Why did you choose this musical for your research project? What is your favorite song or scene from the show? Your favorite character? Why?) Excellent Website Resources: • Playbill.com • Internet Broadway Database • Broadway.com • Broadwayworld.com • Broadway.org • PlaybillVault.com • The New York Times (Theatre Reviews) PART TWO: Pitch Your Own Broadway Musical! Now it’s YOUR turn! Drawing inspiration from the following examples, select music (either a band, artist or genre/era) that you think has the potential to be developed into a successful musical! Notable Jukebox Musicals (to help you generate ideas!): • Mama Mia! • Rock of Ages • On Your Feet! • Moulin Rouge! • Jagged Little Pill • Summer: The Donna Summers Musical • Tina (The Musical) • Beautiful: The Carole King Musical • Jersey Boys • American Idiot • Come Fly Away • Ain’t Too Proud • Motown: The Musical • Million Dollar Quartet • The Boy From Oz • The Cher Show • Come Fly Away • We Will Rock You • Ring of Fire Musical Pitch Parameters: • Chosen Band / Music Artist / Musical Genre • Working Title • Song Selections (5 – 10) • Biopic storyline or original plot & characters? • Location, setting, time period • Target audience / key demographic • Brief Synopsis Musical Pitch Format: PowerPoint Presentation OR Microsoft Word / PDF outline Part Two Example Project: 1. Chosen Band / Music Artist / Musical Genre: The Dixie Chicks 2. Working Title: “Not Ready to Make Nice: The Dixie Chicks Story” 3. Song Selections (5 – 10) • “The Long Way Around” • “Not Ready to Make Nice” • “I Believe in Love” • “Wide Open Spaces” • “Cowboy Take Me Away” • “Some Days You Gotta Dance” • “If I Fall You’re Going Down With Me” • “Sin Wagon” • “Lullaby” 4. Biopic storyline or original plot & characters? Biopic, chronicling the band’s journey from international success to political controversy. 5. Location, setting, time period: Texas and on tour, 1998 – 2006 6. Target audience / key demographic: Older Millennials, Country Western Music Fans! 7. Brief Synopsis: At the turn of the 21st century, The Dixie Chicks made headlines as an all-girl Country band. Topping the charts and breaking down barriers in pop culture, The Dixie Chicks were ahead of the times and ahead of the game. With one off-hand comment about President George W. Bush at an international concert, the band’s world shattered. The new musical “Not Ready to Make Nice” chronicles The Dixie Chick’s rise to the top, tremendous downfall, and eventual rebirth as a strong female music group