Megamusicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Mega unisonals of Andrew Lloyd Webber - Essay ExampleMusical Theater is an art form that combines the basal elements of speaking, acting, singing and dancing. It is a playfulness that may have all the four elements together in varying proportions or it may utilize pure singing and dancing only and is considered as pure-music or sung-through form. Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats and Phantom of the Opera be almost sung-through musicals, a trademark of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. When study and music argon put together, the synthesis is an extremely powerful, expressive and stimulating work of art that is very effective in communicating a message and eliciting a tender response from the audience. All the ingredients of a story including the setting, characters, the plot, the action, the resolution and the message contribute to make a good story. It provides a time and place which may be real or imaginary while a real-life setting is determined by historical facts, an imagin ary setting however can make a story very interesting. Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita argon based on real-life persons and events while Cats and Phantom of the Opera on fictional stories. A story to a fault provides characters whose personalities, background and visions become the basis of numberss. Information about the character becomes the source of the content of the lyrics and the basis of the styles to be used for the music. In Webbers musicals, songs have been create verbally for and about the characters like Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Macavity in Cats Evita, Juan Peron and Che in Evita and the Phantom, Raoul, and Christine in The Phantom Of The Opera.2 A story also layouts the plot, that is, the series of events arranged in a logical sequence and meaningful format that progresses interestingly to bring a clear conveyance of the musicals idea. The plot provides the body structure or outline for the sequencing or ordering of songs and music for the musical while the context of the scene helps the composer to determine the type of melody, rhythm, tempo, dynamics or style of music to be used to suit the scene. Considerations like whether to use vocal or instrumental music, solo or choral sad or happy music, for example, are influenced by the nature and meaning of the scene. Webber is very successful in this aspect which may be appreciated in some of his works especially in his musical Jesus Christ Superstar.3 The conflict is the core of a story, for without it a story becomes uninteresting and unrealistic. Human life is full of conflict and it is this aspect of a story which people relate and respond to. It is then a rich source of material for lyrics and music conflict leads to the composition of intense songs and powerful music. Webbers song I Dont Know How To Love Him and the Overture of Jesus Christ Superstar are just some of his great works that manifest conflict. The resolution of con flict in a story is also a source of material for score writing. Conflict resolutions create wonderful, victorious and inspiring song and music. Hosanna and Superstar are examples of inspirational songs written by Webber.4Lastly, the message of the story is a very important source of material and content for the making of song and music for a musical. A story without a message is useless and a song without a message is devoid of significance and meaning. Webbers musicals have great meanings and messages including love for fellowmen, amorous love, love for country and love for life. His musicals contain deep values like hope, love and loyalty.5In musical theater, the Story is the ingredient that provides meaning and essence. It is the core and sum total that endows the musical its development and evolution. It is the component that carries the message to the audience in a forward movement and making the play comprehensible it is the constituent of the musical play that makes the mi nd think. Because of the story, actors and actresses have something to say, act, sing