Written by Beth Jordahl
The triple threat of the dance world, musical theater involves acting, singing, and dancing. It uses the stage to tell stories. In Musical Theater, you will be pushed and challenged. You will also be greatly rewarded!
We love our musical theater classes and Starz, our theater company. If you love musical theater, or are just curious about it, let’s dive in and take a look at some fun facts!
1. Musicals have only been around for about a century.
While the theater has been around for a very long time, musicals started just about a century ago. Taking elements from Vaudeville and opera, musicals created their own unique form of theater.
2. Musicals were originally all comedic.
Up until the Hammerstein and Kern production of Showboat in 1927, all American musicals were based in comedy. Showboat opened the door to a wider variety of themes. Now musicals cover all human emotions, and themes from comedy to more somber content as well.
3. Broadway is “The Place” for musical theater performers and shows.
For anyone interested in musical theater, making it onto Broadway is often the ultimate accomplishment. To get there takes a lot of hard and intentional work! It is an extremely competitive and professional space. Some shows will even dismiss you for arriving late to a rehearsal. Broadway is also a fantastic place to see shows and enjoy great performers!
4. Broadway was known as the “Great White Way”
In the 1890s, the Theatre District in New York was one of the first streets to be fully illuminated by electric bulbs. Thus it’s nickname! Then in 1910, Broadway signs were illuminated with candescent bulbs to add dazzling lights.
Bonus Fun Fact : During WWI, the lights of Broadway were dimmed. However, the public outcry forced the government to increase the city’s rations in order to restore the lights.
5. Broadway Theatres don’t have to be physically located on Broadway Street
To qualify as a Broadway theatre, a theatre must have 500 seats and be located between 40th St and 54th St, and the West of 6th Ave. to East of 8th Ave, which includes Times Square. Theatres with 99-499 seats are Off-Broadway, and if they have under 99 seats they are off-off-Broadway.
For some extra fun, check out some of these popular Broadway productions.
● The Phantom of the Opera - the longest running show opened in 1988 and in these over 30 years, over 12,500 performances have been staged to 18 million people
● Hamilton - is a newer production, but has risen to great success and popularity. A rap based on the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton, it can be watched on Disney + (Caution for younger viewers)
● Disney's Lion King - is Broadway's biggest money-maker in history. In the 20 years it has run on Broadway, the show has grossed $1.4 billion, with an average of $2 million a week. It is also the first ever Broadway show to gross $1 billion dollars in revenue.
● Waitress - is the first Broadway musical to have an all-female creative team. Music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, book by Jessie Nelson, choreography by Lorin Latarro, and direction by Diane Paulus, the top 4 creative jobs were done by women, along with the costume design and musical direction also being handled with an all woman creative team.
● Wicked - is the popular backstory of the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz. It has amazing music, costumes, and funny characters.
● Some Broadway Musicals that are now movies: Phantom of the Opera (2004), My Fair Lady (1964), Newsies (2017), Hello Dolly (1969), Fiddler on the Roof (1971), Cats (2019), Into the Woods (2014), Annie (2014), The King & I (1956), many others and coming soon: West Side Story & Dear Evan Hanson
Now that you know some more about musical theater, are you ready to get started? Auditions for Starz’ summer production of High School Musical are coming soon, and there are classes for Musical Theatre all summer long! Check out all our classes here.