DIRECTIONS FOR AP5

In the next sections of this module, you will find video clips or links to information about the following Broadway musicals:

· Into the Woods
· Shrek, the Musical
· Sweeney Todd

After you have checked out the samples of all three of these musicals, choose which musical you will view completely and on which you will write a critical paper during Module 6. DVDs of these Broadway productions are in the Faculty Reserve section of the Owings Mills campus library; you can check one out overnight or you rent a copy from some other source (e.g. Netflix).

Then, as you watch your chosen musical, complete the questions that are attached to this AP8.

[NOTE that you must view the video recordings of live Broadway productions, NOT movies. Movie versions or other theatre productions will not be accepted for the critical paper.]

Which musical did you view? Into the Woods, Shrek the Musical, or Sweeney Todd?

1 : Describe the set design elements in the opening scene.

2 : Do the set design elements (e.g. platforms, walls, doors, steps, ramps, furniture) change from scene to scene? If so, how are these changes made (e.g. done by stage crew in a blackout, or by stage crew or the actors themselves while the audience watches)?

3 : From the set design, identify the setting of the story (time and place). Justify your answer with examples from the set design.

4 : Examine the costumes being worn by the actors. Does the costume design support your identification of the setting? Justify your answer.

5 : Of the other functions (listed on page 104 of the textbook), give an example of how costume design is used to support the audience's understanding of one of the characters.

6 : In addition to the lighting functions named on page 104 of the textbook, how else is lighting used in this production?

7 : Judging from the text of the scenes and the character interactions, what style does this musical best fit: musical realism or theatrical? In other words, do the scenes aim to mimic real life, or do the scenes go beyond real life (e.g. Are there non-human characters? Is there a narrator who talks to the audience? Do some characters talk directly to the audience?)

8 : Do all the design elements (scenic, props, lighting, costume, makeup, and sound) fit the same style of either realistic or theatrical? If not, which elements do not fit? Propose a reason for the decisions made by the director and production staff when making these choices.

9 : Who are the main five characters in this musical? (You may have to make a difficult decision when you choose which five are more important than the others.) What is the central situation that the main characters face in this musical?

10  : Is this a book musical or a concept musical? Explain.