DOCSLIB.ORG

Sweet Charity Casting Breakdown

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sweet Charity Casting Breakdown 2018 MAIN STAGE – SWEET CHARITY CASTING BREAKDOWN Sweet Charity Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Dorothy Fields, Book by Neil Simon Sweet Charity tells the story of Charity Hope Valentine, a down-on-her-luck dance hall hostess who longs to find love. She works at the seedy Fandango ballroom with her sassy friends and hopes to someday find Mr. Right. Could he be the international movie star, Vittorio Vidal, with whom Charity spends one romantic evening? Or the claustrophobic accountant, Oscar, with whom she gets stuck in an elevator? Or, does the real answer to her happiness lay somewhere inside her? With a score by Cy Coleman, book by Neil Simon, and original choreography by Bob Fosse, Charity's adventurous Journey towards love is marked by some of the best-loved songs (If My Friends Could See Me Now, There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This, I'm a Brass Band) and most iconic dance numbers (Big Spender, Rich Man's Frug, Rhythm of Life) in Broadway history. Charity Hope Valentine: Down-on-her-luck, but always hopeful, dance-hall hostess who dreams of finding true love. Helene: Sultry and sassy dancer at the Fandango Ballroom and one of Charity's best friends. Mezzo with a big belty sound and a good dancer. Nickie: Brassy New Yorker, dancer at the Fandango Ballroom, and Charity's best friend. Mezzo with a strong belt and a good dancer. Vittorio Vidal: Italian movie star and drop dead gorgeous. Has a way with the ladies and a hot-headed wife, named Ursula. Baritone with an operatic sound. Oscar Lindquist: A square and claustrophobic accountant with a sweet nature and a gentle touch. Baritone. Herman: Grizzled and annoyed at everything owner of the Fandango Ballroom, but with a heart of gold. Must be a strong tenor. Ursula March: Hot headed and Jealous wife of Italian movie star, Vittorio Vidal. Has quite a flair for the dramatic. Will double as several roles in Act 2. Must be a strong and versatile comedic actress and a good mover. Daddy Brubeck: A groovy and hip cat who starts the Rhythm of Life revival church. Think Sammy Davis Jr., if Sammy was a flower child and loved acid. Baritone with serious soul, and a good mover. Strong comedic timing. Carmen: Brassy dancer at the Fandango Ballroom. Very sarcastic. Good comedic actress. Must be a good dancer. Rosie: The new girl at the Fandango Ballroom. Fresh off the bus, but whip smart. Must be a good dancer. Suzanne, Frenchy, Betsy, Alice, Elaine: The featured dance hall hostesses at the Fandango Ballroom. All must be strong character actors who can move. A tired bunch, working at a dead-end Job in Times Square. Lots and lots and lots of attitude. Ensemble Roles: Good comedic character actors who can play multiple featured roles with ease. Must also be excellent singers and movers who can dance/move. Will play multiple featured characters as well as dance in Big Spender, Rich Man's Frug, Rhythm of Life, and I'm a Brass Band. Ensemble roles include, among others: Men: Manfred Charlie Officer Monte Marvin the Fandango Regular Daddy Brubeck's Assistants Women: Featured Hostess at the Fandango Booth Girl at the 92nd Street YMCA Daddy Brubeck's Assistants .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2014 Broadway Season
    2014 Broadway Season Les Miserables:́ May 9-18 Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Miserableś tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption—a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Ex-convict Jean Valjean is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. Featuring the songs “I Dreamed A Dream,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” and “On My Own”—Les Miserableś is the show of shows. Oliver: June 14-22 The first time at the Croswell in more than a decade, Oliver is the larger-than-life adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist. Follow the orphaned Oliver as he learns how to survive on London’s mean streets of the 19th century. The Artful Dodger and Fagin introduce him to a life of crime, but true kindness comes only in the form of Nancy who is on her own quest for love. Wonderful songs that you’ll know by heart include: “Consider Yourself,” “Food Glorious Food,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” and many more. Catch Me If You Can: July 18-27 A new musical from the team who brought you Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can is the musical version of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie. This stylish and fun show is based on the real life story of Frank Abagnale, Jr. who, before the age of 19, conned millions of dollars’ worth of checks and posed as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and prosecuting attorney.
    [Show full text]
  • Sweet Charity Is Sure to Be a Wonderful Show
    The English Theatre Frankfurt Cy Coleman has captured the rhythms and sounds, and Dorothy Fields the vernacular of fun, of the 1960s New York. With a song list that includes, Big Spender, The Rhythm of Life, If My Friends Could See Me Now and many more, Sweet Charity is sure to be a wonderful show. It is a musical in every sense of the word. Teacher`s Support Pack Version for advanced Students (Gymnasium) Coleman, Fields, Simon „Sweet Charity“ - The English Theatre Frankfurt - Teacher`s Support Pack (advanced version) Contents 1. "How Long Has This Been Going On?" A Brief History of Musical Theatre p. 03 2 Cy Coleman and “Sweet Charity” p. 06 3 The Characters p. 07 4 The Story - Synopsis of Scenes p. 08 5 INFO: Musical Numbers p.11 6 Looking at various scenes (I,1; I,8; II,11) p.12 7 Why are Men Scared of Commitment? p.18 8 Federico Fellini's film “Nights of Cabiria” p.20 9 REVIEWS p.22 ff. 9.1 “Sweet Charity” in London p.22 9.2 INFO: Robert Louis “Bob” Fosse p.23 9.3 “Sweet Charity” in Atlanta U.S.A. p.25 10 The Reality of Prostitution p.27 Activities 1 Presentation p.05 2 Interpretation p. 12 3 Working with the script: Improvisation and Creative Writing p.15 4 Discussion of the ending p.18 5 Further points for discussion p.19 6 a Understanding a text p.26 6 b Controversial discussion p.27 7 Topics for essays p.27 8 Creative Writing p.29 For booking workshops, talkback appointments with actors, ordering the Word.doc version of this Support Pack or any other inquiries etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Play-Guide Sunshine-Boys-FNL.Pdf
    TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT ATC 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE PLAY 2 SYNOPSIS 2 MEET THE CREATOR 2 MEET THE CHARACTERS 4 COMMENTS ON THE PLAY 4 COMMENTS ON THE PLAYWRIGHT 6 THE HISTORY OF VAUDEVILLE 7 FamOUS VAUDEVILLIANS 9 A VAUDEVILLE EXCERPT: WEBER AND FIELDS 11 MEDIA TRANSITIONS: THE END OF AN ERA 12 REFERENCES IN THE PLAY 13 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES 19 The Sunshine Boys Play Guide written and compiled by Katherine Monberg, ATC Literary Assistant. Discussion questions and activities provided by April Jackson, Education Manager, Amber Tibbitts and Bryanna Patrick, Education Associates Support for ATC’s education and community programming has been provided by: APS John and Helen Murphy Foundation The Maurice and Meta Gross Arizona Commission on the Arts National Endowment for the Arts Foundation Bank of America Foundation Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Blue Cross Blue Shield Arizona PICOR Charitable Foundation The Stocker Foundation City of Glendale Rosemont Copper The William l and Ruth T. Pendleton Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Stonewall Foundation Memorial Fund Cox Charities Target Tucson Medical Center Downtown Tucson Partnership The Boeing Company Tucson Pima Arts Council Enterprise Holdings Foundation The Donald Pitt Family Foundation Wells Fargo Ford Motor Company Fund The Johnson Family Foundation, Inc Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation The Lovell Foundation JPMorgan Chase The Marshall Foundation ABOUT ATC Arizona Theatre Company is a professional, not-for-profit
    [Show full text]
  • Neil Simon's Musical Fools” Is Presented by Special Arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company
    Presents Neil Simon’s MUSICAL FOOLS Book and Lyrics by Neil Simon Music and Lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West Directed by Ron West Music Direction by Jan Roper Choreography by Louisa Kendrick Burton Music Arrangements by Luke Harrington Featuring James Byous • Parvesh Cheena* • Cat Davis* • Nina Genatossio • Ben Goldberg* Bruce Green* • Juliane Hagn • Demetris Hartman • Hank Jacobs Derek Manson* • Brendan Mulally • Jason Paige • Diane ​Reneé ​ • Beth Robbins Robyn Roth* • Bolor Saruul • Jack Sharpe • Clare Snodgrass Scenic Design Costume Design Sound Design Jan Munroe Mylette Nora Tim Labor Lighting Design Properties Production Management Matt Richter & Bruce Dickinson & Amanda Weier & Mary Keegan Ina Shumaker Art Hall Publicist Production Stage Manager Associate Producer Lucy Pollak Jennifer Palumbo* Caroline Klidonas Produced by Martha Demson *Member, Actors’ Equity Association, "This performance is supported, in part, the Union of Professional Actors and by the Los Angeles County Board of Stage Managers in the United States. Supervisors through the Los Angeles This production is presented under the County Department of Arts and auspices of the Actors’ Equity Los Culture." Angeles Membership Company Rule Ticketing and CRM Technology provided by PatronManager “Neil Simon's Musical Fools” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. Adapted from the play FOOLS by Neil Simon Presents Neil Simon’s MUSICAL FOOLS Book and Lyrics by Neil Simon Music and Lyrics by Phil Swann and Ron West Directed
    [Show full text]
  • Sweet Charity
    gkgiiliiiBlmsDispalrt Thursday, April 27, 1995 • Cover Story Faith, hope make ‘Sweet Charity’ a classic By Michael C^ossberg truly tenible things happen to her who has worked on more than a It’s also a transitional show, Dvipalch Thcaler C ritic — but .she doe.sn’t give in to it” dozen of Otterbein’s musicals, in­ with 19 scenes fluidly staged in 12 cluding Rig Riirr and Into the locations. Faith. Ii()f)e and cliatity aix? tia- The romantic comefly, al)out a naive dimc-a-dance girl looking for Woods, will lead a 25-meml)er or- liaditionally, many Ixxtk musi­ ditionally considerai giHKi (jualities cals were staged with fieiiuent front- or viiiues. Yet, they bring mastly love, is loosely based on Federico chestia “There’s every rhythm and style cuiiain scenes, to allow the scenery trouble to Cbaiity Hoj)e Valentine. Fellini’s 1957 film Nights of Cabiria to be changed behind the cuitain. That’s the daffy, do\vn-on-her- about a pixistitute with a heail of fin?!! tango and samba to the big- “Simon and Fosse both got the luck irony of Smet Cliaritti, the love and a life of sorrow. band jazz feel of the 1940s,” Johnson idea that they wanted to stait blend­ popular Braadway musical alwut a Stefano has directed about 40 said. ing scenes, so that the show' would woman who refuses to give up on shovTO, including The score flow' in a filmlike fashion,” Stefano men despite ample provocation. about half a doz­ produced sev- ■ Otterbein College’s theater and said.
    [Show full text]
  • Little Theatre Society of Indiana
    LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY OF INDIANA 1915-16 1919-20 1921-22 Polyxena Bernice Release A Killing Triangle Eugenically Speaking The Dragon The Glittering Gate Three Pills in a Bottle The Spring The Scheming Lieutenant Trespass A Nativity Play Dad The Angel Intrudes The Constant Lover A Christmas Miracle Play Trespass (2nd Production) Androcles & the Lion The Pretty Sabine Women The Shepherd in the Distance The Forest Ring Overtones The Star of Bethlehem Beyond the Horizon The Broken God Dierdre of the Sorrows Everyman Dad (2nd Production) The Jackdaw The Betrothal Cake At Steinberg’s Bushido Disarmament How He Lied to Her Husband A Woman’s Honor The Casino Gardens The Game of Chess Unspoken Children of the Moon The Kisses of Marjorie Moonshine Belinda Dawn Phoebe Louise Not According to Hoyle The Dark Lady of the Sonnets The Bank Robbery Mansions A Scrambled Romance Chicane The Dryad & the Deacon (silent film) The Groove Underneath A Shakespeare Revel Stingy 1922-23 Rococo The Trysting Place 1916-17 The Price of Coal A Civil War Pageant 1920-21 The Turtle Dove Night with Indiana Authors The Proposal Brothers Polly of Pogue’s Run In Hospital Two Dollars, Please! Laughing Gas Behind a Watteau Picture The Marriage Gown The Lost Silk Hat The Home of the Free Dad (3rd Production) The Farce of Pierre Patelin The Blind Sycamore Shadders Duty The Medicine Show Nocturne The Maker of Dreams Aria Da Capo Treason The Importance of Being Mary Broome Where Do We Go From Here? Earnest The Star of Bethlehem (2nd The Wish Fellow Lithuania Production) Father and the Boys Supressed Desires The Mollusc My Lady Make-Believe Cathleen Ni’Hoolihan Mary’s Lamb A Shakespeare Revel (2nd Spreading the News The Emperor Jones Production) The Rising of the Moon The Beauty Editor Sham 1923-24 1917-18 The Confession March Hares (No records survive) The Lotion of Love The Bountiful Lady The Wren 1918-19 The Doctor of Lonesome Folk A Pageant of Sunshine Why Marry? and Shadow Hidden Spirits The Murderer (a.k.a.
    [Show full text]
  • Mcdonald's and the Rise of a Children's Consumer Culture, 1955-1985
    Loyola University Chicago Loyola eCommons Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 1994 Small Fry, Big Spender: McDonald's and the Rise of a Children's Consumer Culture, 1955-1985 Kathleen D. Toerpe Loyola University Chicago Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Toerpe, Kathleen D., "Small Fry, Big Spender: McDonald's and the Rise of a Children's Consumer Culture, 1955-1985" (1994). Dissertations. 3457. https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/3457 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Loyola eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Loyola eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. Copyright © 1994 Kathleen D. Toerpe LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SMALL FRY, BIG SPENDER: MCDONALD'S AND THE RISE OF A CHILDREN'S CONSUMER CULTURE, 1955-1985 A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY BY KATHLEEN D. TOERPE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MAY, 1994 Copyright by Kathleen D. Toerpe, 1994 All rights reserved ) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank McDonald's Corporation for permitting me research access to their archives, to an extent wider than originally anticipated. Particularly, I thank McDonald's Archivist, Helen Farrell, not only for sorting through the material with me, but also for her candid insight in discussing McDonald's past. My Director, Lew Erenberg, and my Committee members, Susan Hirsch and Pat Mooney-Melvin, have helped to shape the project from its inception and, throughout, have challenged me to hone my interpretation of McDonald's role in American culture.
    [Show full text]
  • LISTENING to DRAG: MUSIC, PERFORMANCE and the CONSTRUCTION of OPPOSITIONAL CULTURE DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillmen
    LISTENING TO DRAG: MUSIC, PERFORMANCE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF OPPOSITIONAL CULTURE DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Doctor of Philosophy In the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Elizabeth Kaminski, M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2003 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Vincent Roscigno, Advisor Professor Verta Taylor _________________________ Advisor Professor Nella Van Dyke Sociology Graduate Program ABSTRACT This study examines how music is utilized in drag performances to create an oppositional culture that challenges dominant structures of gender and sexuality. I situate this analysis in literature on the role of music and other cultural resources in the mobilization of social movement protest. Drawing from multiple sources of data, I demonstrate that drag queen performers make use of popular songs to build solidarity, evoke a sense of injustice, and enhance feelings of agency among audience members – three dimensions of cognition that constitute a collective action framework, conducive to social protest. The analysis is based on observations of drag performances; content analysis of the lyrics of drag songs; intensive interviews with drag queens at the 801 Cabaret in Key West, Florida; focus groups with audience members who attended the shows at the 801 Cabaret; and interviews with drag queen informants in Columbus, Ohio. I demonstrate how drag performers use music to construct new alliances and understandings of gender and sexuality among gay and heterosexual members of the audience. The data illustrate that drag performers strategically select songs to evoke an array of emotions among audience members. First are songs that utilize sympathy, sorrow, and humor to build solidarity.
    [Show full text]
  • Sweet Charity Book by Neil Simon Lyrics by Dorothy Fields Composed by Cy Coleman
    MAINSTAGE SEASON 2017 —18 Columbia College Chicago Theatre Center presents SWEET CHARITY BOOK BY NEIL SIMON LYRICS BY DOROTHY FIELDS COMPOSED BY CY COLEMAN DIRECTED BY ASHTON BYRUM MUSIC DIRECTION BY JERMAINE HILL CHOREOGRAPHY BY AMY UHL Artistic Director Interim Chair of Theatre Jacqueline Penrod Peter Carpenter SWEET CHARITY BOOK BY NEIL SIMON LYRICS BY DOROTHY FIELDS COMPOSED BY CY COLEMAN DIRECTED BY ASHTON BYRUM* And additional musical staging MUSIC DIRECTION BY JERMAINE HILL CHOREOGRAPHY BY AMY UHL† Based on original work by Bob Fosse Based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, and Ennio Flaiano Produced for the Broadway stage by Fryer, Carr, and Harris. Conceived, staged, and choreographed by Bob Fosse MARCH 13–17, 2018 THE DANCE CENTER OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO 1300 S. MICHIGAN AVENUE Scenic Design Sound Design Stage Manager Dominique Zaragoza Jamie Davis Konstantino Plakas Alec Medina Lighting Design Benjamin Carne Fight Choreography Wig Design David Woolley Karen Berger-Nolte Costume Design Samantha Liska SWEET CHARITY is produced by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC., 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022. * And additional musical staging † Choreography based on original work by Bob Fosse 1 CAST OF CHARACTERS SWEET CHARITY ORCHESTRA Charity Hope Valentine Daddy Brubeck Waiter/Doorman Orchestration Trombone Guitar Evelyn Finne* Joshua Delk+ Lev Caruso Matthew Croft (BMI) Conner Eisenmenger Perry Cowdery Madelyne Forrester+ Juwon Tyrel Perry* Manfred Conductor Reeds Bass Oscar Herman/First
    [Show full text]
  • Broadway Close up Dorothy Fields Sean Hartley, Host Featuring Gabrielle Stravelli 2020-21
    KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER PRESENTS Broadway Close Up Dorothy Fields Sean Hartley, host Featuring Gabrielle Stravelli 2020-21 MERKIN HALL Online Performance Filmed at Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center Streamed Monday, November 16, 2020 at 7 pm ET Kaufman Music Center presents Broadway Close Up Dorothy Fields Sean Hartley, host Gabrielle Stravelli, guest star Greg Jarrett, musical director Music Examples: Discussion and Demonstration All Lyrics by Dorothy Fields “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” from Blackbirds Music by Jimmy McHugh ©1928 “The Way You Look Tonight” from Swing Time Music by Jerome Kern ©1936 “He Had Refinement” from A Tree Grows In Brooklyn Music by Arthur Schwartz ©1951 “I’m Way Ahead” from Seesaw Music by Cy Coleman ©1973 Ask host Sean Hartley anything at a live post-concert Q&A! All 2020-21 Kaufman Music Center performances are online, filmed in safe, socially distanced locations observing health and safety protocols, and streamed to the safety of your home. Steinway is the official piano of Merkin Hall KaufmanMusicCenter.org/MH | 212 501 3330 Dorothy Fields Dorothy Fields was one of the first and most successful female songwriters from the Golden Era of Broadway and Hollywood musicals. As a lyricist, she is primarily known for her collaborations with composers Jimmy McHugh, Jerome Kern, Arthur Schwartz and Cy Coleman. With Mc Hugh, she wrote several reviews including Blackbirds of 1928; with Kern, she wrote songs for the films Roberta and Swing Time; with Schwartz she wrote the Broadway musicals Stars In Your Eyes and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn; and with Coleman, she wrote the Broadway shows Sweet Charity and Seesaw.
    [Show full text]
  • Sweet Adelines International Arranged Music List
    Sweet Adelines International Arranged Music List ID# Song Title Arranger I03803 'TIL I HEAR YOU SING (From LOVE NEVER DIES) June Berg I04656 (YOUR LOVE HAS LIFTED ME) HIGHER AND HIGHER Becky Wilkins and Suzanne Wittebort I00008 004 MEDLEY - HOW COULD YOU BELIEVE ME Sylvia Alsbury I00011 005 MEDLEY - LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING Mary Ann Wydra I00020 011 MEDLEY - SISTERS Dede Nibler I00024 013 MEDLEY - BABY WON'T YOU PLEASE COME HOME* Charlotte Pernert I00027 014 MEDLEY - CANADIAN MEDLEY/CANADA, MY HOME* Joey Minshall I00038 017 MEDLEY - BABY FACE Barbara Bianchi I00045 019 MEDLEY - DIAMONDS - CONTEST VERSION Carolyn Schmidt I00046 019 MEDLEY - DIAMONDS - SHOW VERSION Carolyn Schmidt I02517 028 MEDLEY - I WANT A GIRL Barbara Bianchi I02521 031 MEDLEY - LOW DOWN RYTHYM Barbara NcNeill I00079 037 MEDLEY - PIGALLE Carolyn Schmidt I00083 038 MEDLEY - GOD BLESS THE U.S.A. Mary K. Coffman I00139 064 CHANGES MEDLEY - AFTER YOU'VE GONE* Bev Sellers I00149 068 BABY MEDLEY - BYE BYE BABY Carolyn Schmidt I00151 070 DR. JAZZ/JAZZ HOLIDAY MEDLEY - JAZZ HOLIDAY, Bev Sellers I00156 072 GOODBYE MEDLEY - LIES Jean Shook I00161 074 MEDLEY - MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK/MY GUY Becky Wilkins I00198 086 MEDLEY - BABY LOVE David Wright I00205 089 MEDLEY - LET YOURSELF GO David Briner I00213 098 MEDLEY - YES SIR, THAT'S MY BABY Bev Sellers I00219 101 MEDLEY - SOMEBODY ELSE IS TAKING MY PLACE Dave Briner I00220 102 MEDLEY - TAKE ANOTHER GUESS David Briner I02526 107 MEDLEY - I LOVE A PIANO* Marge Bailey I00228 108 MEDLEY - ANGRY Marge Bailey I00244 112 MEDLEY - IT MIGHT
    [Show full text]
  • Broadway Starts to Rock: Musical Theater Orchestrations and Character, 1968-1975 By
    Broadway Starts to Rock: Musical Theater Orchestrations and Character, 1968-1975 By Elizabeth Sallinger M.M., Duquesne University, 2010 B.A., Pennsylvania State University, 2008 Submitted to the graduate degree program in Musicology and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Chair: Paul R. Laird Roberta Freund Schwartz Bryan Kip Haaheim Colin Roust Leslie Bennett Date Defended: 5 December 2016 ii The dissertation committee for Elizabeth Sallinger certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Broadway Starts to Rock: Musical Theater Orchestrations and Character, 1968-1975 Chair: Paul R. Laird Date Approved: 5 December 2016 iii Abstract In 1968, the sound of the Broadway pit was forever changed with the rock ensemble that accompanied Hair. The musical backdrop for the show was appropriate for the countercultural subject matter, taking into account the popular genres of the time that were connected with such figures, and marrying them to other musical styles to help support the individual characters. Though popular styles had long been part of Broadway scores, it took more than a decade for rock to become a major influence in the commercial theater. The associations an audience had with rock music outside of a theater affected perception of the plot and characters in new ways and allowed for shows to be marketed toward younger demographics, expanding the audience base. Other shows contemporary to Hair began to include rock music and approaches as well; composers and orchestrators incorporated instruments such as electric guitar, bass, and synthesizer, amplification in the pit, and backup singers as components of their scores.
    [Show full text]