Musical Theatre Script and Song Analysis Through the Ages

More about the book

How often have you encountered a musical that left you puzzled about its effectiveness? This book addresses the challenge of articulating the differences between performance flaws and structural issues within musicals. It explores how to analyze subjective musical theatre songs and whether there is a common analytical thread between Golden Age musicals and contemporary works. By providing students with essential tools for understanding and expressing how musicals function, the book emphasizes the significance of music and lyrics, which are often the least understood components. It introduces a new terminology for analysis focused on the libretto, music, and lyrics. Through methods of lyric and musical analysis applied to ten different musicals across history, readers learn to ask critical questions about sound, character purpose, and emotional communication. This structured approach helps students navigate from classroom analysis to practical application, enhancing their ability to articulate the complexities of musicals. Ideal for musical theatre students, the book highlights the practical benefits of understanding the form and its relevance across different eras, ultimately serving as a roadmap to the core elements of this art form.