The musical theatre is a musical-theatrical scenic genre. This type of performance combines music, drama, dancing and opera. Musical theatre may be a comedy, tragedy, farce or drama. It is necessary to say that musical theatre is a genre that is somehow similar to the operetta. That is why it has not been recognized for a long time as a separate musical genre of theatrical art. However, later it has formed its own characteristics that distinguish it from other genres.
Musical theatre emerged as a result of the development of the American and European operetta and the expansion of its traditions and canons. In addition to the operetta, the musical theatre was also seriously influenced by genres such as the comic opera, vaudeville and burlesque, and variety of another music styles and trends of the XX century and the beginning of the XXI century.
Musical theatre is more relaxed and stylistically diverse than another well-known combinations of theatre and music. The musical theatre combines dialogues, songs, music and choreography. The choreography of the musical theatre is different from ballet and operetta salon dancing. Musical theatre is well known for more dynamic action and a wider variety of musical forms of song. Moreover, as a rule, musical theatre is a genre, which is more difficult to stage and therefore it is more expensive. Many Broadway musical theatres are known for their special effects, which are possible only in conditions of stationary musical theatre, where performances are shown on a daily basis for many years, as long as they are popular among the public.
The history of musical theatre is not very old. Many genres were the forerunners of the musical theatre. In September 1866 the first musical theatre «Black Crook» (Kenrick 63) was shown on the New York stage, which combined the romantic ballet, romance and other genres. It is considered the starting point of a new genre. At that time musical theatre meant an easy entertaining idea where not the plot was important, but popular vocal numbers by the idols of the public. Before World War I, American musical theatre developed thanks to immigrants. And later, such American composers as Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Cole Porter painted musical theatre in the true American painting (Kenrick 13). The libretto became more complicated, rhythms were significantly influenced by jazz and ragtime. As a result, many songs from musical theatres became music classics. After that and till now the plot of musical theatres became more serious. Moreover, the value of the choreography became much more important (Rush 77). Since the 1970s, the sets and costumes of new musical theatres have become more luxurious. Many different styles appeared in the form of musical theatre, including the features of thriller and detective. And after that musical theatre has become popular all over the world.
It is necessary to pay some attention to the big variety of the styles of music and singing in musical theatre (Björkner 5). There is one common stereotype that all the music, which is played in musical theatre performance refers to one musical genre. However, it is not correct. Since the musical theatre works with the plays of completely different genres, it includes many genres of music.
When the musical theatre was in its infancy, it was quite close to English Operetta (1870s-1920s). Later it was Jazz Age Standard (1920s-40s), which in 1940s-60s transformed into a Golden Age Standard (1940s-60s) and Post-Golden Age Standard (1960s-70s), respectively. One of the most popular styles of musical theatre is Musical Theatre Pop Song, which appeared in the 1960s and does not lose its popularity till the present day. Given the enormous popularity of rock music, there is also Musical Theatre Rock Song. Of course, there are many other popular styles of musical theatre, such as Pop-Opera Song, Radio Song, Walt Disney Song, and so on.
Summing up, it is necessary to say that musical theatre is a special form of theatre, which can be adapted to modern requirements and tastes of the audience. To some extent, it reflects the time when the play is being staged. Thus, the musical theatre staging may include music of different styles, if it is necessary for creating of a musical theatre performance.
Works Cited
Björkner, Eva. "Why so different?: aspects of voice characteristics in operation and musical theatre singing." (2006). Sweden.
Kenrick, John. Musical theatre: a history. Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2010.
Rush, Adam. "Creating musical theatre: conversations with Broadway directors and choreographers [Cramer, L. 2013]." Platform: Postgraduate Journal of Theatre Arts 9.1 (2015): 77-81.
