Broadway Musicals//2
Grease
A Broadway.com Audience Award winner for Best Ensemble, This show is the story of good-girl Sandy, bad-boy Danny and the whole rebellious gang at Rydell High.
Playbill
A monthly U.S. magazine for theatregoers. Although there is a subscription issue available for home delivery, most copies of Playbill are printed for particular productions and distributed at the door as the show's program.
Into the Woods
A musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from "Little Red Riding Hood", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Rapunzel", and "Cinderella", as well as several others. The musical is tied together by a story involving a childless baker and his wife and their quest to begin a family, their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them, and their interaction with other storybook characters during their journey.
Pre-Broadway / Previews
A set of public performances of a theatrical presentation that precede its official opening. The purpose of previews is to allow the director and crew to identify problems and opportunities for improvement that weren't found during rehearsals and to make adjustments before critics are invited to attend.
The Sound of Music
A tuneful, heartwarming story, it is based on the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world's best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Julie Andrews plays the role of Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children, and brings a new love of life and music into the home. You would know "Do Re Mi" (Do...a deer...a female deer...) or "Edelweiss" or "So Long, Farewell."
Matilda
Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, a child dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl
Waitress
Based on the 2007 film by the late Adrienne Shelly, this show follows Jenna, a pregnant waitress in the south trapped in an abusive marriage and looking for a happy ending. She finds relief—and potentially that happy ending—by making creatively titled pies and forming a romance with an unlikely newcomer.
Les Misérables
Based on the French classic novel, same as show, by Victor Hugo, and the classic Broadway stage show of the same name, this show is the story of Jean Valjean, a prisoner who breaks parole, and the police inspector, Javert, who tries to hunt him down for breaking parole.
A Christmas Story
Based on the classic 1983 holiday movie, of the same name follows nine-year-old Ralphie Parker, a daydreamer from Indiana who spends his days counting down to the most exciting day in any kid's life: Christmas. All he wants is an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle, but as his parents and teachers warn him, "You'll shoot your eye out!" This show chart's Ralphie's desperate quest to ensure that his perfect gift ends up under the tree on Christmas morning.
School of Rock
Based on the film of the same name, This show tells the story of wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. When he discovers his students' musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.
Annie
Based on the popular comic strip, this show tells the extraordinary story of a little orphan who spends ends up living with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Unlike most of the other children at Miss Hannigan's orphanage, she believes that her parents are still alive and will one day return to claim her. So when Mr. Warbucks offers to adopt her, she asks the most powerful man in America to help find her real mom and dad instead, and he agrees.
Beauty and the Beast
Belle, a young woman in a small, provincial town, meets the Beast, in reality a young prince whose lack of compassion has trapped him in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and to be loved, the spell will be broken and he will be transformed back to his former self. But time is running out, and if the Beast does not learn his lesson, he will be doomed for all eternity.
West Side Story
Billed as a modern-day Romeo & Juliet, This show follows two gangs who battle to control their turf on New York's Upper West Side. The situation gets complicated when one gang member falls for a rival's sister.
The largest and most famous theatrical district in New York City, multiple theaters and multiple shows playing at any given time.
Broadway
The person who oversees the entire process of staging a production.
Director
singing, dancing, plot, script, actors, pit orchestra, special effects, lighting, set, props, costumes, stage and blocking
Elements of musical theatre
Beautiful
From the string of pop classics Carole King wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, chart-busting success with Tapestry, this show takes you back to where it all began—and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.
Carousel
Immediately attracted to each other, he and Julie met when he worked as a carousel barker. Billy worked at the carnival as a carousel barker, which is where he met Julie. The carousel owner, Mrs. Mullin, fired him because of jealousy, and he and Julie got married. This show is the second musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The 1945 work was adapted from Ferenc Molnár's 1909 play Liliom, transplanting its Budapest setting to the Maine coastline.
Hello, Dolly
In 1890s New York City, the bold and enchanting widow Dolly Levi is a socialite-turned-matchmaker. Her latest clients seeking assistance are the cantankerous "half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder and a young artist named Ambrose, who is in love with Horace's niece, Ermengarde. Dolly's scheming soon involves Horace's employees as well as a New York hatmaker, as she tries to cover up her own secret romantic designs.
Hairspray
In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, and meets a colorful group of characters, leading to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show's integration. An American musical, also made into a film of the same name.
Aladdin
In the middle-eastern town of Agrabah, Princess Jasmine is feeling hemmed in by her father's desire to find her a royal groom. Meanwhile, the Sultan's right-hand man, Jafar, is plotting to take over the throne. When Jasmine sneaks out of the palace incognito, she forms an instant connection with Aladdin, a charming street urchin and reformed thief. After being discovered together, Aladdin is sentenced to death, but Jafar saves him by ordering him to fetch a lamp from the Cave of Wonders. Where there's a lamp, there's a Genie, and once Aladdin unwittingly lets this one out, anything can happen! Will Aladdin's new identity as "Prince Ali" help him win Jasmine's heart and thwart Jafar's evil plans? Will the Genie's wish for freedom ever come true?
Anastasia
Inspired by the beloved films, this show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.
RENT
Loosely based on Puccini's opera La Boheme, Rent tells the story of a group of impoverished friends struggling to survive and create in New York's gritty Alphabet City in 1991. Over the course of one year, this show follows these starving artists as they strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness, impending gentrification and the AIDS epidemic. A rock musical with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathan Larson.
a staged, film, or tv production using popular-style music to tell a story
Musical
The Phantom of the Opera
Musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart. Based on the eponymous French novel by Gaston Leroux, its central plot revolves around a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living beneath the Paris Opéra House.
Mamma Mia!
On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings back 3 men from her mother's past. During the hit musical's historic fourteen year run the Broadway blockbuster became an international phenomenon and a movie in the theater! You would know the song, "Dancing Queen" from this show!
supervises the financing and business aspects of a production
Producer
Shrek the musical
Set in a mythical "once upon a time" sort of land, This show is the story of a hulking green ogre who, after being mocked and feared his entire life by anything that crosses his path, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in happy isolation. Suddenly, a gang of homeless fairy-tale characters (Pinocchio, Cinderella, the Three Pigs, you name it) raid his sanctuary, saying they've been evicted by the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad. So Shrek strikes a deal: I'll get your homes back, if you give me my home back! But when Shrek and Farquaad meet, the Lord strikes a deal of his own: He'll give the fairy-tale characters their homes back, if Shrek rescues Princess Fiona. Shrek obliges, yet finds something appealing-something strange and different-about this pretty princess. He likes her. A lot. But why does she always run off when the sun sets?
The Little Mermaid
Set under and above the high seas, this show tells the story of Ariel, an adventurous young mermaid who's got a thing for disobeying the rules and following her heart. Ariel's fascination with the human world often leads her to the sea surface, a zone that's designated as "off-limits" by her father Triton, the sea king. One day while sneaking to the surface, Ariel witnesses a shipwreck and rescues Prince Eric, with whom she become instantly smitten. Furious at Triton's inability to understand her love for the prince, Ariel runs away and strikes a deal with Ursula, Triton's evil witch of a sister, to experience the life she dreams of on land.
The Music Man is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive Midwestern townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. Harold is no musician, however, and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love. Harold risks being caught to win her.
The Music Man
Newsies
The Musical is a musical based on the 1992 film of the same name, which in turn was inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. The show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein
a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls (and others) and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum's classic 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of modern African-American culture.
The Wiz
Book by L. Frank Baum that used symbolism to satire the politics of the day every character in the book represented some form of people in society discussed the gold standard became a best seller and then a musical/film
The Wizard of Oz
Opening Night
The first day a show performs and opens on Broadway.
Wicked
The story centers on Elphaba, the misunderstood, smart, and fiery girl of emerald-green skin who grows up to become the notorious Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda, the beautiful, blonde, popular girl who grows up to become Glinda the Good Witch of the South. The "pre-quel" to the Wizard of Oz.
Legally Blonde
The story is based on the novel of the same name by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film of the same name. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. Throughout the show, no one has faith in Elle Woods, but she manages to surprise them when she defies expectations while staying true to herself.
Lion King
The story of a young lion prince living in the flourishing African Pride Lands. Born into the royal family, precocious cub Simba spends his days exploring the sprawling savanna grasslands and idolizing his kingly father, Mufasa, while youthfully shirking the responsibility his position in life requires. When an unthinkable tragedy, orchestrated by Simba's wicked uncle, Scar, takes his father's life, Simba flees the Pride Lands, leaving his loss and the life he knew behind. Eventually companioned by two hilarious and unlikely friends, Simba starts anew. But when weight of responsibility and a desperate plea from the now ravaged Pride Lands come to find the adult prince, Simba must take on a formidable enemy, and fulfill his destiny to be king. A musical based on the 1994 Disney animated feature film of the same name with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice along with the musical score created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M. Directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Dear Evan Hansen
This musical is about, a letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he's always wanted: A chance to finally fit in.
Off-Broadway
a class of theaters which are smaller than and located apart from those in the Broadway theater district and typically stage less expensive and less commercial productions.
Seussical
a contemporary re-imagining of Dr. Seuss, which weaves together many of his most famous stories and characters in unexpected ways. The musical creates the witty, wild and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss as it has never been seen before. When chaos erupts in the Jungle of Nool, it will take The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and a gaggle of characters to bring harmony back to their world. The Tony Award-winning team of Ahrens and Flaherty has created a score that includes pop, gospel, blues and R & B.
Cats
a sung-through British musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the night they make what is known as "the Jellicle choice" and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.
Pippin
a young prince who longs to find passion and adventure in his life. To prove his loyalty to his distracted father, King Charles, Pippin goes to war. But when the Leading Player convinces the prince to fight tyranny, Pippin kills Charles and takes over the throne. Realizing his mistake, Pippin begs the Leading Player to bring his father back to life, and she obliges. The prince falls in love with Catherine, a widow with a young son, and (much to the Leading Player's chagrin), Pippin struggles to decide whether he should settle down and pursue a peaceful life or continue to make magic with the dazzling troupe of performers.
Ben Platt
an American actor and singer known for his portayal of the title character in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, a performance for which he has won numerous awards, including the 2017 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He also played Benji Applebaum in the musical films Pitch Perfect (2012) and Pitch Perfect 2 (2015).
Kristin Chenoweth
an American actress and singer, with credits in musical theatre, film and television. In 1999, she won a Tony Award for her performance as Sally Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown on Broadway. In 2003, she received wide notice for originating the role of Glinda in the musical Wicked, including a nomination for another Tony. She played Marion in the 2003 film version of the Music Man (that we watched!)
Idina Menzel
an American actress, singer, and songwriter. She rose to prominence when she originated the role of Maureen Johnson in the Broadway musical Rent. Her performance earned her a Tony Award nomination in 1996. She reprised the role in the musical's 2005 film adaptation. In 2003, Menzel originated the role of Elphaba in the Broadway musical Wicked, a performance for which she won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She is also the voice of Elsa in Frozen.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
an American composer, lyricist, playwright, rapper, and actor best known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton. He co-wrote the songs for Disney's Moana soundtrack (2016) and is set to co-star in the upcoming film Mary Poppins Returns. His awards include a Pulitzer Prize, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a MacArthur Fellowship, and three Tony Awards.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
an English composer and impresario of musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of variations, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. Several of his songs have been widely recorded and were hits outside of their parent musicals, notably "The Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from Evita, "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and "Memory" from Cats. In 2001 The New York Times referred to him as "the most commercially successful composer in history".
Angela Lansbury
an English-American-Irish actress who has appeared in theatre, television, and film, as well as a producer and singer. Her career has spanned seven decades, much of it in the United States, and her work has attracted international acclaim.
Original Broadway Cast recording
as the name implies, features the voices of the show's original cast.
The King and I
based on the true story of Anna Leonowens, a widowed schoolteacher from Wales who travels to Siam to teach the King's many children. Her effect on the kingdom and the kingdom's effect on her are the basis of this beautiful and classic musical.
Come From Away
based on the true story of when the isolated community of Gander, Newfoundland played host to the world. What started as an average day in a small town turned in to an international sleep-over when 38 planes, carrying thousands of people from across the globe, were diverted to Gander's air strip on September 11, 2001. Undaunted by culture clashes and language barriers, the people of Gander cheered the stranded travelers with music, an open bar and the recognition that we're all part of a global family.
characters (actors) in a play or a musical
cast
person creating and arranging dances for stage performances
choreographer
a person who writes music
composer
A first public appearance
debut
Fiddler on the Roof
heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and life, love and laughter. This classic musical is rich with Broadway hits, including "To Life (L'Chaim!)," "If I Were A Rich Man," "Sunrise Sunset," "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," and "Tradition," and features stunning movement and dance from Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter based on the original staging by Jerome Robbins.
The Addams Family
led by the elegantly gaunt and seemingly undead Morticia and her ever-devoted husband Gomez, is in turmoil. Their daughter Wednesday, now 18, finds herself falling in love—a sensation that is unsettling for both her and her family of endearing misfits. When the teen invites her new boyfriend, Lucas Beineke, over with his "normal" family to get better acquainted with the Addams household, comic chaos (including everything from an amorous giant squid to mixed-up potions to a scorching tango) ensues.
the words of a song
lyrics
Articles or objects that appear on stage during a play.
props
the part of a theater stage in front of the curtain
proscenium
Reprise
repetition of a song sung earlier in a musical. In Annie, "Tomorrow" is reprised twice. Although some shows just reprise a song because it's a hit song, a reprise done intelligently can change the meaning of the lyrics.
a theatrical show made up of songs, dances, and skits
revue
the artificial setting or background for a scene of a musical
set
Oklahoma!
set in the Oklahoma Territory in the early 1900s. This show is the story of farm girl Laurey and the two rivals for her affection: the cowboy Curly and Jud, the brooding farmhand. The masterpiece features the numbers "Oh, What a beautiful Mornin'," "People Will Say We're in Love," "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top" and, of course, the title song, "Oklahoma!"
My Fair Lady
tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a "proper lady." But who is really being transformed? The classic score features "I Could Have Danced All Night," "The Rain in Spain," "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" and "On the Street Where You Live." The original 1956 production won six Tony Awards including Best Musical, and was hailed by The New York Times as "one of the best musicals of the century."
Jesus Christ Superstar
the musical tells the story of the last seven days of Jesus Christ's life. As the show opens, apostle Judas Iscariot is growing concerned that Jesus' followers will be perceived as a threat to the occupying Roman Empire. Indeed, priests Caiaphas, Annas and more gather and agree that Jesus and his movement must be crushed. An exalted Jesus arrives in Jerusalem only to find the temple filled with unsavory merchants and money lenders. Overrun by a flood of people needing his help, he tells them to heal themselves, and his confidante Mary Magdalene has to calm him down. Judas, fearing the movement is getting out of Jesus' control, goes to the Romans and tells them Jesus will be in the Garden of Gethsemane the following night. He receives 30 pieces of silver as payment. At the Garden, Judas arrives with Roman soldiers and identifies Jesus by kissing him on the cheek. Jesus is arrested and sent to Caiaphas, then Pontius Pilate and finally King Herod, who condemns his to death on the cross.
The Little Shop of Horrors
the story of Seymour Krelbourn, a meek Skid Row florist who makes a Faustian pact with a tiny plant in order to win the heart of Audrey, the girl he loves. While Audrey doesn't notice the romance blooming between them, she does recognize the money-making potential of the exotic little plant. Soon money pours in and Seymour becomes a celebrity, but behind the glamour and fame lies a secret Seymour can't reveal--this strange and unusual plant's favorite food is...blood. As the plant grows, its demands for food grow too, and Seymour starts to suspect that the plant might have an agenda larger than light and soil.
Mary Poppins
the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Lane. Things are not going well for the family, the children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny. Jane and Michael have their own ideas about what sort of caretaker they should have, while their parents—and in particular Mr. Banks—are insistent on someone strict for the job. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that she's the answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon.
Hamilton
the story of the unlikely Founding Father determined to make his mark on the new nation as hungry and ambitious as he is. From bastard orphan to Washington's right-hand man, rebel to war hero, a loving husband caught in the country's first sex scandal, to the Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy. George Washington, Eliza Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and Hamilton's lifelong friend/foil Aaron Burr all make their mark in this astonishing new musical exploration of a political mastermind.
Frozen
the timeless tale of two sisters, pulled apart by a mysterious secret. As one young woman struggles to find her voice and harness her powers within, the other embarks on an epic adventure to bring her family together once and for all. Both are searching for love. They just don't know where to find it.
Once on This Island
the universal tale of Ti Moune (2018 Tony Award nominee Hailey Kilgore), a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods (played by Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, Glee's Alex Newell, American Idol's Tamyra Gray, and Cats' Quentin Earl Darrington), Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.
