Extra Credit response

H101 Musical Theater Assignment Worksheet

Answer all the questions on this worksheet. Use your answers to develop an organized, informed, critically aware, insightful and well-written essay to post in Blackboard. Correct punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure will also be part of your grade. Title your file: MusThea_ YourName_Sect#_year/term.

A. BASIC INFORMATION: Record the production title, day and date you attended, where the production took place, length of performance, time of intermission, main performers. Describe your impressions of the theater, the composition and general “mood” of the audience.

B. RESPOND TO THE PERFORMANCE; ANSWER THEATRICAL SPECIFICS:

1. Name the main characters and briefly describe them. Did their costumes suit the time/locale of the performance? Did colors or style suggest anything about the characters?

2. Describe the plot in your own words (200 or less; do not copy a synopsis). Focus on organization, pivotal scenes.

3. Who composed the music for this musical? Who wrote the lyrics?

4. Choose a song from the show. Describe what you can remember about it. What made it memorable? Be sure to include information about the music also, not just the lyrics.

5. What was the sound and period “style” of the music in general? Explain (distinctive instruments, ways of playing them, etc.).

6. Were there dances in the musical? If so, who choreographed them? Describe and comment on what stood out for you about the choreography. Why?

7. What exactly did see on that stage? Can you detect designer choices? Are they true to type? - The set(s): Describe them. Are they realistic, fantastic, or abstract? How did they contribute to (or detract from) the overall impact of the show? - The lighting: How is the lighting used to increase the impact? Colors? Angles? - Sounds: How are they used? Effects? - The Plot. How is it staged? What devices helped you to follow the story? Enjoy the experience? What did not work for you? Why? - The actors. How did the actors move and speak? Did they seem like “real” people? Which character was most developed? How demonstrated? Did you prefer this one over the others? Why? Visually, musically, and dance-wise: What was the overall style and impact of the production?

8. Interpretation, by the director. Why do you think the playwright wrote this musical? Based on a book? A controversy? 9. Your expectations. Why did you select this production? What did you expect? 10. Your assessment. How was this experience different from other theater productions that you have seen? When did the playwright’s choice of character, environment, story, language, music, song, or dance create a mood and have meaning for you? Why? Did the visual impact, and the music reinforce or weaken the theme of the production? How? What do think the theme of the production was?

11. What did you take away from the theater? Pleasantly entertained without having to think? A sobering comment on life that did not entertain? A plea or call to action that over-stated its case? Insight into one’s own problems? A determination to do something about the problems?

12. Expansion. Reflecting back, what connections or comparisons can you make to examples and ideas in our studies? Implications: What conflicts of cultural values does this performance suggest? How might this production apply to life situations today?

C. Then, write up your report! Follow General Instructions for a Performance Report in the Humanities Report folder. Before the essay starts, list proof(s) of attendance you submitted or posted in BB9 (signed Ticket, dated “selfie” in venue, or other indubitable proof).