what is important in a broadway musical

[broadway]

should a broadway musical have beautiful melodies
is the story more important to you
should there be a star in the show to sell tickets
or should the musical be innovative and artstic and have something
important to say
what makes a musical great

 

[Mike in Seattle]

All of the above. It all depends on the show. Some work for different reasons. Sometimes you change one or two things in the mix and it just doesn't work anymore, or at least, the same.

 

[Zig2k143]

All of the above. It all depends on the show. Some work for different reasons. Sometimes you change one or two things in the mix and it just doesn't work anymore, or at least, the same.

I agree except for the big star.

 

[Dutch McCoy]

Hoofers make it happen...

To me, a musical is about a whole lot of people tap-dancing at once. Really, as long as the music is good and the actors know what they are doing, I think any musical can be great. Well, except Cats. I happen to be a big fan of musicals, though, so I may be a little bias. Oh, I am NOT for sticking in a star just to sell tickets. There are stage actors who train for decades waiting to get a break and then some talentless Hollywood "star" swoops in to be the lead just to sell tickets. No thank you.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Good music, at least a couple of songs that become famous, as well as show-stopping acting, singing and dancing.

A great plotline. The stage settings and costumes are helpful but not absolutely necessary.

Cast some talented, new actors in such a production and you will soon have some big stars.

karol

 

[John in Covina]

Stranger in Paradise

should a broadway musical have beautiful melodies
is the story more important to you
should there be a star in the show to sell tickets
or should the musical be innovative and artstic and have something
important to say
what makes a musical great

*************
It is one or more of the above elements that makes it so you sing or hum or whistle the songs on your way home because they touched you and have stuck with you, then you know it is great.

I saw "Timbuktu" the all black version of "Kismet" at the Pantageus (sp) in Hollywood years ago. When I saw and heard them sing "Stranger in Paradise" it was like an electric shock for me, beauty on a whole diffderent plane of exhistance.


Song: Stranger In Paradise Lyrics

She:
Oh why do the leaves
Of the Mulberry tree
Whisper differently now
And why is the nightingale singing
At noon on the Mulberry bow
For some most mysterious reason
This isn't the garden I know
No it's paradise now
That was only a garden
A moment ago

He:
Take my hand
I'm a stranger in paradise
All lost in a wonderland
A stranger in paradise
If I stand starry-eyed
That's a danger in paradise
For mortals who stand beside
An angel like you

I saw your face
And I ascended
Out of the commonplace
Into the rare
Somewhere in space
I hang suspended
Until I know
There's a chance that you care

Won't you answer the fervent prayer
Of a stranger in paradise
Don't send me in dark despair
From all that I hunger for
But open your angel's arms
To the stranger in paradise
And tell him
That he need be
A stranger no more

She:
I saw your face
And I ascended
Out of the commonplace
Into the rare

Both:
Somewhere in space
I hang suspended

She:
Until I know

He:
Till the moment I know

She:
There's a chance that you care

He:
There's a chance that you care

She:
Won't you answer the fervent prayer
Of a stranger in paradise

He:
Don't send me in dark despair
From all that I hunger for

Both:
But open your angel's arms
To the stranger in paradise
And tell me that I may be
A stranger no more.