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Six Great Lessons Students Can Learn from Ground Breaking Musicals

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Six Great Lessons Students Can Learn from Ground Breaking Musicals

Lin-Manuel Miranda is quoted as saying, “The musicals that leave us kind of staggering on our feet are the ones that really reach for a lot.”

I agree with him.  Recently, I happened upon a YouTube video of performers in a Smash Mob from Les Mis’.  The video was from 2017.  The singing made me cry it was so beautiful.

Certain musicals do leave me staggering, how about you?  I consider them to be ground breaking.

What are some ground breaking musicals?

That’s a tough question.  There are many, almost too numerous to list here.

Number One: Rent

My curiosity for information regarding those exceptional musicals was piqued.  Which musicals carved their own way in musical theater?  Looking around, I found this information.

“You might call this one, the “anti-Cats” musical. Drawing on his memories of his first apartment in New York — with rotting floorboards, no heat and a shower in the kitchen — and the friends he’d made then, writer Jonathan Larson created the musical “Rent.” Based on the Puccini opera “La Bohéme,” “Rent” tells the story of a group of struggling artists, and while it’s meant to capture the passion and love often associated with the Bohemian lifestyle, it also illustrates the dire aspects of being a “starving artist,” so to speak.

The re-imagining of the famed opera takes it from tuberculosis-riddled Paris to the East Village in New York City, at a time when AIDS was causing much distress. It depicts love and passion in spite of progressive, incurable illness. The musical, which dispensed with many Broadway staples, like dimming the lights and starting with an overture, went on to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama. It was only the seventh musical ever to earn the distinction.”

The lesson to be learned from Rent?  Live in the moment and to live every day like it is your last.

A teacher who used my unit of Rent, stated,  :Extremely satisfied This was fantastic for discussing and analyzing “Rent”. My student’s were completely focused and active participants. Thank you for such a professional and high quality resource.:

Other Ground Breaking Musicals

Lesson Two:  Oklahoma!

From the 1920s into the 1940s, popular tunes inevitably came from Broadway musicals. Composers such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein and Irving Berlin were in the height of their careers. Oklahoma! was ground breaking in several ways. Rather than a huge ensemble number it opens with cowboy Curly singing, Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’! There’s a healthy dose of insanity and murder. Songs aren’t just musical window dressing anymore; they drive the story forward.

The lesson to be learned from Oklahoma!: Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule; Be tolerant of differences; Use good manners, not bad language; Be considerate of the feelings of others; Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone; Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements. Pick up my unit for Oklahoma here: Oklahoma! Broadway Musical Unit

One teacher who reviewed the unit said, “Extremely satisfied. This resource is very complete and provided lots of teaching options to use with my students. Versatile and appealing!”

Lesson Three:  West Side Story

Another innovative musical is West Side Story.  Wow, you can’t beat it, can you?  The carefully cut costumes of the Jets and the Sharks still look fresh from the dryer. There is no profanity (unless you count, “Krup you!”) and only one gun. But in the 1950s, a gang version of Romeo and Juliet packed with racial tension and a bittersweet conclusion was a big deal. Reviewer Walter Kerr of the New York Herald Tribune summed up the reaction after opening night when he wrote, “The radioactive fallout from West Side Story must still be descending on Broadway this morning.” The musical scored by Leonard Bernstein was also doubted initially as too operatic.

The lesson to be learned from West Side Story:  There are consequences of racial/ethnic/cultural hatred and what occurs when one’s pride controls a person’s behavior and attitude. You can find my unit here: West Side Story Broadway Musical Unit.

One review said, “Extremely satisfied. This resource is extremely detailed and well-written. I love West Side Story. This resource kept my older students engaged. What a awesome lesson!”

Lesson Four:  Jesus Christ Superstar

Let’s not forget Jesus Christ Superstar!  Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and librettist Tim Rice, both British, debuted with the first rock opera, all of the dialogue set to music. That style of libretto has since evolved into the norm for musicals. I remember hearing the musical for the first time at a youth group meeting–amazing experience.  If you haven’t seen the live television version of it, check out my blog post concerning the talent who portrayed Judas, Brandon Victor Dixon and  The Two Most Inspiring People I’ve Seen This Year

The lesson to be learned from Jesus Christ Superstar: There are consequences to success and the power that comes from it.  

Lesson Five:  Chorus Line

“Five, six, seven, eight!”  Those are familiar directions to a cast.  Chorus Line looks inside the lives of seventeen dancers competing for eight spots in a Broadway production. Before its fifteen-year run ended, the Michael Bennett musical further loosened the definition of how musicals had to be structured. With A Chorus Line, monologues and songs could serve as their own plot, if they stayed consistent with a central idea. This philosophy gave future musicals permission to try other, less traditional innovative forms.

The lesson to be learned from Chorus Line: Dreaming is important, but action is even more important.  

Lesson Six:  Hamilton

Here are several quotes from websites about Hamilton which I think say it better than I can,  “The show combines hip-hop, rap, R&B, soul, and traditional show tunes to create its novel score. And Miranda’s witty, sophisticated lyrics bring the familiar historical characters to life in a whole new way, drawing the audience in with their humanity and familiarity. The resounding success of Hamilton is undeniable.”

The blog, Broadwayinbound, mentions, “America’s founding fathers were all white, and many of them owned black slaves; in Hamilton, however, people of color play the leading roles — and Miranda says that was very intentional. “This is a story about America then, told by America now, and we want to eliminate any distance.”

Here’s another from https://www.cbc.ca, “From childhood Miranda loved musicals, and performed in several high school productions. One of his all-time favorites is Les Misérables, and that musical theatre classic inspired Miranda’s thinking on Hamilton. The things that you can see in Hamilton that are affecting people are also present in Les Mis. One, it’s trying to capture so much of the human experience that even if we fall short, we’ve got a lot of it. I mean, Les Misérables starts in prison. It’s ‘Look down, look down, you’re standing in your grave.’ And then it goes up from there,” he said in an interview.”

I especially like this quote from The Guardian, :Hamilton features black and brown actors, but its story never depicts a slave. That said, it’s also true that minstrelsy is crucial to Miranda’s project: he takes the long American minstrelsy tradition of white people in blackface on stage and reverses it.”

Isn’t it easy to understand why it is so popular?

Every season in the fall,  I look forward to the next ground breaking musical, don’t you?

I have several Broadway musical lessons (all useful for distance learning)  which demonstrate these lessons.  For more information about them, check out:  DramaMommaSpeaks

What musical do you think is significant?  I’d love to know.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks

 

Five Reasons You Shouldn’t See The Prom Musical on Your Own

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Five Reasons You Shouldn’t See The Prom Musical on Your Own

I know this blog title sounds like I’m going to talk about something scary in The Prom–it’s quite the opposite! It’s wonderful.

Did you know Netflix is streaming The Prom musical?

It’s available to stream beginning December 11.  I’m looking forward to seeing it.

Here are five reasons you shouldn’t see The Prom musical on Your Own:

Reason #1–Movies are meant to be seen with someone, in my opinion. How much fun is it to see a musical all by yourself? You need someone to sing with you!

1960's prom night. : TheWayWeWere

A Synopsis of The Prom

Emma becomes an instant outcast and a national headline when her high school cancels the prom rather than let her attend with her girlfriend. Sensing a chance to correct an injustice and maybe get some good publicity along the way a group of fading celebrities takes up the cause, and invades Emma’s small Indiana town. But their bumbling attempts at social activism make the situation far worse than they or Emma could have ever imagined. Cultures clash and the town erupts in chaos. The community’s reputation, Emma’s future, and the celebrities’ careers, all hang in the balance, until a true hero emerges to save the day. Uproarious and ultimately uplifting, this musical proves that standing up for yourself and inspiring others to accept their differences can make you the star you were always meant to be.

40 Cool Pics of the '70s Prom Couples ~ Vintage Everyday

Emma becomes an instant outcast and a national headline when her high school cancels the prom rather than let her attend with her girlfriend. Sensing a chance to correct an injustice and maybe get some good publicity along the way a group of fading celebrities takes up the cause, and invades Emma’s small Indiana town. But their bumbling attempts at social activism make the situation far worse than they or Emma could have ever imagined. Cultures clash and the town erupts in chaos. The community’s reputation, Emma’s future, and the celebrities’ careers, all hang in the balance, until a true hero emerges to save the day. Uproarious and ultimately uplifting, this musical proves that standing up for yourself and inspiring others to accept their differences can make you the star you were always meant to be.

An All Star Cast

Reason #2–The Cast is exceptional! Having someone to chat with about the direction makes the viewing all the more worthwhile.

Nice, huh?

The movie cast is excellent and includes Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Renalls, Kevin Chamberlain, Ariana Grande, Keegan Michael-Key, Kerry Washington and a host of other great performers.  Newcomer, Emma Pellman will portray the lead role of Emma and Arianna DeBose as Alyssa.

Wow!

The Creative Team

Reason #3–This is an excellent artistic staff at the helm.  I mean, Casey Nicholaw?  You can’t get someone much better than him.  Just check out his biography. You might miss something in the direction  if you watch by yourself and a friend might catch it.  I understand the humor is spot on.

Casey Nicholaw, Director

Casey Nicholaw (born 1962) is an American theatre director, choreographer and performer. He has been nominated for Tony Awards for directing and choreographing The Drowsy Chaperone (2006), The Book of Mormon (2011), Something Rotten! (2015), and Mean Girls (2018) and for choreographing Monty Python’s Spamalot (2005) and Aladdin (2014), winning for his co-direction of The Book of Mormon. He also was nominated for the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Direction and Choreography for The Drowsy Chaperone (2006) and Something Rotten! (2015) and for Outstanding Choreography for Spamalot (2005).  

Bob Martin, Co-Playwright

Bob Martin began his career acting and directing at The Second City in Toronto in 1996. He won a Tony award for Best Book for a Musical and Best Actor in a Musical category portraying “Man in Chair” in Drowsy Chaperone.  In addition, Martin wrote the Urinetown music and lyrics. Among many of ventures,  he returned to Broadway by co-writing the book for Elf with Thomas Meehan. He co-wrote Prom the Musical with

Like many artists, Martin’s resume is varied.  It includes writing the book for a musical adaptation of the 1973 film The Sting and is currently writing the book for a sequel to The Drowsy Chaperone, a musical adaptation of The Princess Bride, a musical adaptation of A Night at the Museum, and a musical adaptation of Millions.

Chad Beugelin, Lyricist and Co-Playwright

Chad Beguelin (born September 24, 1969) is an American playwright and four-time Tony Award nominee. He wrote the book for Disney’s Aladdin, as well as additional lyrics for the score. He was nominated for Best Original Book and Best Original Score for Aladdin. He is also known for his collaborations with composer Matthew Sklar, having written the lyrics and co-written the book for the Broadway musical The Wedding Singer and the lyrics for the Broadway musical Elf the Musical. Beguelin was nominated for two Tony Awards for his work on The Wedding Singer, as well as a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics. He, too, graduated from New York University’s Tish School of the Arts.

What did the Reviewers Think of it When It Opened on Broadway?

Reason #4–Reviewers love the Broadway version.  See if you agree with the reviewers.  You can’t exactly discuss the pros and cons of the production with just yourself.   When it opened on Broadway, the reviewers extol much praise on the show.  That’s a good sign the musical will be well accepted, too.

The Prom was the first musical of the 2018–2019 Broadway season to be named a New York Times Critics Pick, with Jesse Green calling it “such a joyful hoot. With its kinetic dancing, broad mugging and belty anthems, it makes you believe in musical comedy again.”

Frank Rizzo, writing for Variety wrote that “with a tuneful score, a playful book, and performances that remind you what Broadway heart and chutzpah are all about, this cause celebre of a show turns out to be a joyous, funny, and sweet production that should appeal to several generations of musical fans.”

New York Magazine‘s Sara Holdren wrote: “There’s such genuine joy rolling off the stage in The Prom that you’re ready and willing to forgive it its minor misfires… Did I shed several real tears in The Prom’s final scene? Maybe I did… I also seldom stopped laughing. The show is full of witty delights.”[16]

Adam Feldman of Time Out Magazine gave the show 4 out of 5 stars, saying “It is cheering to see a musical comedy that engages with modern questions, with a teenage lesbian romance at its center to boot… But while the issues are contemporary, there is a 1980s feel to the character types and the overall style of Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar’s score, which resembles their work in The Wedding Singer; a stronger dose of reality in the lyrics and the book (by Beguelin and Bob Martin) would better justify the show’s eventual turn to sentimental education. But Casey Nicholaw’s peppy direction helps give the show enough momentum to power past its narrative potholes and occasional bumps of heavy-handedness.”

In The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney called the show “one part satire, packed with delicious theatrical in-jokes delivered with aplomb by game stage veterans playing caricatures of themselves; and one part inclusivity teaching moment, reminding us there’s a place for everyone beneath the Mylar balloons at a high school dance, even in conservative Indiana. If the two halves aren’t entirely seamless, especially in the uneven second act, the show has enough humor and heart to paper over the cracks.”

Reason #5  Your Students will LOVE it! You will feel so trendy because you will know the newest scoop in the show. There’s nothing better than making them happy (it does wonders for your ego too.) The Prom is contemporary, fun, quick witted and entertaining.

I have a Broadway musical lesson for The Prom available at The Prom Broadway Musical Lesson

It includes:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Warm Up–MY Version of a Popular Physical Warm Up
  • Teacher’s Script–What I Say and How I Say it!
  • History of Prom and How it Became an Important Event in a Young Person’s Life
  • Photos (1950’s & 2018)
  • Plot of the Musical
  • Separate File of Photos for Teacher’s Use in Lecture
  • History about the Origination of the Production
  • Information on the Director, Casey Nicholaw
  • Information on the composer and choreographer, Matthew Skylar
  • Information about the Co-Playwrights, Bob Martin & Chad Beugelin
  • Information about the lyricist, Chad Beugelin
  • A Shortened Lesson on : What are the Tony Awards?
  • List of Tony Awards
  • New York City Map with Competing Theatres Labeled
  • Student Note Page
  • Teacher Note Page Key
  • Trivia about The Prom, LGBTQ rights and Recent Data About Prom
  • Lyrics from “Just Breathe”–good for class discussions or as a jumping off point
  • Extension Activities–Terrific Suggestions of Ways to Secure the Learning and Enrich the Experience
  • Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show
  • And More!

If hope you’ll check out The Prom soon.  I know I will!  What Broadway musical is your favorite?  You know I’d love to know more about you. Don’t know much about me?  Check out:  The Top Reasons to Listen to Podcasts   Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Dramamommaspeaks

The Only NBC Television Special to See on December 10

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The Only NBC Television Special to See on December 10

Everyone has shed light on many industries who are suffering during this pandemic and rightfully so.

There is one group of people, however, no one has mentioned too much–those in the entertainment industry.  In particular, I am speaking about those who work on Broadway. Thursday, December 10 on the NBC network, a wonderful fundraising event will occur for those people who entertain us whether its on the Broadway stage, backstage in a regional theater, dancing on a cruise ship or a host of other performance venues. Among many others, this includes the technical, front of house and box office, too.

Will there be actual performances?  Yes!

I heard about this event on Sirius and began looking for information about it.  According to Broadwaydirect.com,

“Several of Broadway’s best shows will take over the streets of New York City with special performances from the casts of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Chicago, Jagged Little Pill, Diana: The Musical, Jersey Boys, Mean Girls, Rent and an appearance by the cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The night will also showcase special sneak peeks at Broadway shows coming in 2021.

The Only NBC Television Special to See on December 10

“One Night Only: The Best of Broadway” will feature performances by Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Patti LaBelle and appearances from Annaleigh Ashford, Lance Bass, Kristen Bell, Ron Cephas Jones, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Peter Gallagher, Josh Groban, Jake Gyllenhaal, Sean Hayes, Nathan Lane, Camryn Manheim, Alanis Morissette, Jerry O’Connell, Leslie Odom Jr., Billy Porter, John Stamos, Aaron Tveit, Blair Underwood, Vanessa Williams, Susan Kelechi Watson and more.

Donations during this special will help provide groceries and medication, health care, and emergency financial assistance to those in the Broadway community who are struggling through a pandemic that threatens their health and will shutter their industry for more than a year.

For more than 25 years, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has been helping to support and strengthen The Actors Fund’s safety net of social services, enabling thousands in the entertainment industry receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling, and emergency financial assistance.”

If you need assistance and you are in the entertainment industry, I’d suggest check them out:  Actor’s Fund

Radio City Music Hall

With Broadway being crippled by current events, it’s never been more vital to showcase these incredible performers and remind audiences of their extraordinary talents for when they return to the stage,” said Doug Vaughan, Executive Vice President, Special Programs, NBC Entertainment. “We’re proud to partner with Broadway Cares and do our part to help those in that tight-knit community during these difficult times.”

I know these organizations are a God send to those in the entertainment industry.  A student of mine was very ill several years ago with colon cancer.  Luckily, she lived through it and is healthy today. She wanted to keep her performing job and never divulged to the company she was ill.  Can you imagine?  Afraid to tell the company you are sick, for fear of being let go?  The Actors Fund came to her rescue during this time and supported her through all of her doctor visits, surgery and rehabilitation.  It took a year to get her back on her feet.  Soon she will be starring on Broadway again.

Arts Risk Losing their Soul

Several years ago, I blogged about this quote,  Arts Quote We Love #7–Society Risks Losing its Soul

Arts And Society

Have you ever considered what the world would be like without the arts?

I think we found out during this quarantine, haven’t we?  Back in the summer, there were no live concerts, ballets, art shows, new movies, television shows, etc.  Luckily, the entertainment industry is figuring how to keep their employees safe. I understand they are creating bubbles for their staff just as the sports teams have done.

We know the pandemic has affected our restaurants, but no one is speaking about movie theaters closed up for. months. I would imagine this will change the movie industry far more than we realize. It’s affected everyone in some way–I can’t think of a time that has occurred before in my lifetime.

Unsung Heroes Our Teachers

Let’s just consider our arts teachers for a moment.  Can you imagine how difficult this time has been for them? Although an arts teacher can teach using Zoom for instance, some of our instruction must be done in “in the flesh.”  Teaching and directing actors can be done virtually, but it doesn’t have the same power as working in real time.  Many at-risk students depend upon their arts classes to help them feel connected to school. I wonder how those students are coping with the lack of time in their schools. We must continue having arts classes, period.

Broadway and West 34th St.

This pandemic affects me in this fashion.  I really need the arts.  They are like a vitamin for me.  I have to see movies, concerts, stream plays and musicals and dance concerts. But live theater?  There is simply nothing like it.

What can you do to help?

Open up your laptop and search on-line for theater companies, art galleries, concert halls and the like.  Everyone of them will have a place for you to donate.  When they say “not for profit”–that’s exactly what they are.  A not for profit company uses their profits to sustain the organization.

There is such value in donating, too! People who donate to charities, in this case arts organizations, experience more pleasure, bring more meaning to their life, promote generosity in children (if they are parents).  Of course, there is a plus because donating to a not for profit gives the donor a tax deduction.

The Actors Fund, Broadway Cares and a host of other arts organizations need our help.  I promise you will be glad you did.

I am looking forward to the “One Night Only: The Best of Broadway” television special on NBC December 10.

What is your favorite Broadway play or musical?  I have many, but I lean toward musicals because more people are familiar with them.  Check out this blog post about them: The Reasons These Shows are My Favorite Broadway Musicals

Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net.  I’d love to know more about you!

Deborah Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks

 

Five Reasons to Watch The Grinch Live! on NBC

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Five Reasons to Watch The Grinch Live!  on NBC

Happy Holidays (okay, it’s a little early, but covid….)

Pretty soon, all of the holidays special will begin and luckily, this year is no exception.

On December 9, there is going to be a live version on NBC of the Broadway musical, “The Grinch”!

How awesome is that?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

(Yes, I know this photo is from the movie.)

Five Reasons to Watch The Grinch Live! on NBC

#1  THE PLOT

If you don’t know the musical, (because you’ve been living in a cave or something) the story goes like this:

The action of the musical happens in mysterious Whoville. Christmas is a wonderful holiday, which is adored by all the residents of the fantastic town. Who doesn’t love this time of the year, when everything around is covered with fluffy snow, when we feel a smell of a fir-tree, and people exchange with magnificent gifts? Therefore, on the eve of the holiday, the inhabitants are concerned about purchases of the gifts, decoration of the houses and, of course, preparation of dishes for the holiday table.

Once upon a time, a man lived in a town. His was called Grinch. His body was green and hairy. That’s why nobody in the Whoville loved him. The main hero took offense on the inhabitants and decided to live on the lonely mountain, which was blown by winds. A dog was an only being, who kept his company. On this mountain, he sat in a cave and was angry at the whole world.

Breakfast with the Grinch 11-2010

Breakfast with the Grinch from vastateparkstaff

Grinch hated Christmas most of all. While the population of a town had fun with all hearts, the indicator of already bad Grinch’s mood expressed something awful. Each Christmas appeared to be a terrible torture for the green hermit. One day, a spiteful inhabitant of the mountain decided to finish a holiday once and for all. While the carefree Whovilleans were sleeping in holiday night with pleasure, perfidious Grinch decided to steal Christmas from the citizens, to make nobody able to have fun anymore.

Now, as well as the residents of the town, Grinch is in cares: he needs to prepare an ideal crime, that nobody could follow his ways. Two teenagers and two girls got on the mountain, where Grinch lived, and it finally angered him. He left the cave, put on a fancy dress and went down to the city, where he began to frighten everyone, who occurred on his path. What to do, if the circumstance, which is hard to cope with, unexpectedly interferes into the plans of Grinch? To speak more precisely, it is the little girl, who even wants to make friends with the character.

Five Reasons to Watch The Grinch Live on NBC

The girl, who helped the father with mail, was frightened so much that she fell in the packing machine, but then, probably, Grinch felt sorry and pulled her out. Cindy thanked him. Being raged by the fact that someone can think that he is kind, Grinch wrapped her with the tinsel. Then the girl thought that, maybe, Grinch is not so bad as everyone speaks about him. She also absolutely cannot understand the sense of Christmas and wants to reconcile him with the residents. However, finally, Grinch realizes that sense of Christmas is not in gifts. The repentant villain decided to return the gifts to the inhabitants, and they accepted him to their society.

#2 MATTHEW MORRISON

Matthew James Morrison will portray Grinch! Morrison is an American actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter. Morrison is known for starring in multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including his portrayal of Link Larkin in Hairspray  on Broadway, and for his role as Will Schuester on the television show Glee. He received a Tony Award nomination for his featured role as Fabrizio Nacarelli in the musical The Light in the Piazza.

#3 DENIS O’HARE

Denis O’Hare will play his dog, Max.  O’Hare is an American actor, singer, and author noted for his award-winning performances in the plays and musicals such as Sweet Charity,  as well as portraying vampire king Russell Eddington on HBO’s fantasy series True Blood. He has been nominated for an Primetime Emmy for Best Actor.

Five Reasons to Watch The Grinch Live on NBC

#4 THE COSTUMES

Personally, I think the costumes from the film version were exceptional.  I don’t know if they can reach that level of detail, but I’m interested in seeing if they do so.

#5 THE CHOREOGRAPHY

From viewing the snippet on NBC, I can tell the choreography is fun and playful.  That’s got to be a plus, huh? Here’s a trailer for the show:

https://www.today.com/popculture/nbc-bringing-grinch-life-new-musical-holiday-special-t198362

As you may know, several musicals have been performed live in recent years.  In my opinion, some were better than others.  I enjoyed NBC’s Hairspray and Jesus Christmas Super Star the most.  I would hope these production companies are learning how to produce a better product each time they attempt one.  Who knows?

Another was good production was  A Christmas Story.  In case you don’t me, I am a retired drama teacher having taught and directed for thirty-eight years.  You can find my resume here:Teaching Resume

A Christmas Story Broadway Musical Lesson

Now I created drama education resources for my business, Dramamommaspeaks.  I have a lesson about A Christmas Story which would complement the Grinch Live! If you are in a hybrid learning classroom or distance learning, these musicals work well for teachers.

You can find it here: A Christmas Story Broadway Musical Lesson

Five Reasons to Watch The Grinch Live on NBC

Need a quick emergency lesson plan? Or one for a substitute? Everything is provided for the busy teacher.

This Product includes:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Two Warm Ups–MY Version of Popular Exercises
  • Teacher’s Script–what I say and how I say it!
  • Photos of the Production
  • Separate File of Slides for Teacher to Use to Lecture
  • Plot of the Musical
  • History about the Origination of the Production
  • Information concerning the composer, Pasek and Paul (who also co-wrote Dear Evan Hansen)
  • History about the Film and Musical Helping One Another
  • A Shortened Lesson on : What are the Tony Awards?
  • Tony Awards it Received
  • What are the Tony Awards
  • New York City Map with Competing Theatres Labeled
  • Student Note Page
  • Teacher Note Page Key
  • Trivia
  • Quotes from the Musical–Good for Discussions and Assignments
  • Extension Activities–Five different activities, individual and group
  • Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show

This lesson works well with any grade level, although it was created for secondary students.  Reading, Language Arts, Vocal Music and Drama classes have success with it!

Or pick up my holiday lesson bundle at: Drama Lessons Holiday Themed 

I hope you’ll check out Grinch on December 9 and think about purchasing my Broadway lesson on A Christmas Story.  If nothing else, both will put you in the holiday spirit!

Which Grinch character is your favorite?  Mine is Max.  I’d love to hear from you.  Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin of DramaMommaSpeaks

 

 

Facts You Never Knew about White Theatrical Privilege on the Stage

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Facts You never Knew about White Theatrical Privilege on the Stage

I’d never really thought about this until yesterday when in my Facebook feed  this particular meme showed up with facts about white privilege on the stage.

Facts You never Knew about White Theatrical Privilege on the Stage

I’ve been involved with theater for over forty years. I can only think of a few times I’ve cast color blindly.  Several students–Mahogany, Antonio, Cortaiga, Micah, Ayanna, Greg and John come to my mind.  I directed all of these kids and hundred of others. Also, I directed a cast of boys for a play version of Holes comprised entirely of black males and one white one.  Such an awesome experience.

Not many black students participated in my programs, though I don’t know if that was my fault or not.  They certainly enjoyed my classes.

It’s always easy to find a student who is interested in participating on a production.  They nearly shout it or jump in front of you for your attention.

Some students may be interested but don’t know how to cross the bridge to audition or be a part of the technical crew.

Did I make it welcoming to them?

I tried.

Just looking at the above meme startles me and makes me sad. There are several statements in that meme which really speak to me.

Casting for “Diversity’s Sake” 

portrait of a gorgeous black woman

Here’s an example for you.   I observed it in a children’s theater company who was casting a play of Cinderella.

I knew that color played a part in some directors’ casting.

A friend asked me to help her cast the production.  Sometimes directors do this so that it lessens the blow if someone isn’t cast as they could be and accuse them of racial bias. However, at the time I didn’t know this was the reason I was asked to help.

Two women auditioned–one a pretty white, blonde haired and talented.  The other was a black woman–beautiful, vibrant and equally talented.

After the auditions were over, I suggested the black girl be cast as Cinderella.  I thought her perspective would make the show unique.  How many Cinderellas have you seen in story books or movies?

Not many.

That’s why I thought she would be a good choice.  Plus, I knew that school groups would see the show and many black students would enjoy and better relate to it.

The black woman was a student in college.  After the production closed, someone asked her about the experience of portraying Cinderella.

She said, ” I never in a million years thought I would ever have an opportunity to play Cinderella.  It was an amazing experience.  I’d look out at the student audiences and see little black girls smiling ear to ear with tears in their eyes. It was incredible.”

Roles Written in Stereotype

In youth theater, I haven’t run into this problem very much.  Probably it’s because I never selected a show which put a minority student in a negative light.

How awful for someone struggling to feel seen and accepted for themselves to have someone pigeon- hole you into the very thing you are trying to fight.

Last February, pre-covid quarantine, a new version of West Side Story was running on Broadway.   If you know West Side Story, you are aware of the typical casting of whites as Jets and Latinos as Sharks.  However, in this version the cast includes black in the Jets, too. How wonderful.

West Side Story_Broadway_2020_Production Photos_X_HR

Never having to adapt our social behaviors for the cast and crew

Honestly, I don’t know what this statement means. Does it mean when a black person laughs loudly at a joke while a white person might not and vice versa? So the black person learns to “blend” to be included.

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I asked one of my students, now an adult, what that statement meant to her.  This is some of what Mahogany said, “We often have to minimize black culture for the sake of making white people feel we are no different than them. an example of adapting social behavior is for theme days: when asked to dress in costume or embody a theme for the day, a black person may think twice about what to choose so they make white people feel more comfortable i.e., they may choose to dress as in rode attire over Wakanda for the sake of now drawing attention to one’s blackness for the sake of white people NOT for their own pleasure.”

I’d never thought about it.  Oh my gosh, how tiresome it must be for black people to do this.  I’m sorry, Mahogany.

I just found information about a training program specifically for black actors. It’s called Black Acting Methods.com. Check it out here: https://www.blackactingmethods.com/

How to be aware of my racism

I’d like nothing better than to see a production with an all black cast or Latino cast or even a color blind cast.  Let’s celebrate our differences and acknowledge that we are all different, but we all matter. Because of our differences it puts us in the same in that light in that regard.

The only way I can fix racism is to first be aware of it at all times.  That’s where I’ve started. I hope I grow.

Let’s help our students never go there.  Let’s celebrate the talents of others.  In this case, I am speaking about black people.  I create drama lessons and sell them in my store on Teacherspayteachers.com.

Here is one for you as an example.  Famous Theater Artist-Billy Porter

If you are interested in seeing more about this product, go to:

Famous Theater Artist Billy Porter Biography and One Pager Assignment

I hope you’ll consider your place in the subject of racism and what you can do to make everyone feel equal and included.  I know I am.

Until next time.

DEB BLOG PHOTO600

I’d love to hear from you.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

If you’d like to read another post about making people feel welcome, check out: This Is What Happens When You Don’t Think Too Much, a Special Kind of Spontaneity

If you’d like to see why I think it’s important for our students to read biographies, check out: Should Students Read Biographies?

 

The Reasons to Teach Broadway Musicals to Your Students

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The Reasons to Teach Broadway Musicals to Your Students

There is a phenomena I can’t quite explain.

It used to be people weren’t all that excited about musicals.

Well, some people weren’t. I always liked them.  In fact, I remember the first musical I attended.  I saw Pearl Bailey in Hello Dolly! on Broadway.  That was a really amazing production.  My parents took me to see George M. Cohan as well and all I remember (because I was 10) was the tap dancing and lots of it.

Those of us who are eat-sleep-breathe-drama-and music love all of them.  Although I have several favorites.

Learn about them here: The Reasons These Shows are My Favorite Broadway Musicals 

Movies Adapted From Broadway Musicals– All right!

The Reasons to Teach Broadway Musicals to Your Students

Broadway Musical Lessons

I began creating Broadway musical lessons about two years ago and to date I have over twenty lessons. They are very popular and I’m so glad I created them.

When I taught at a school in Colorado, our musical theater students chose a musical they wanted to share with the rest of the class. They’d share its synopsis, a song and a bit of trivia.

At the time, I thought it would be a super experience for students to learn about these over the course of the school year.  Maybe every Friday could be Broadway Musical Day? In that particular case, I only saw the students once a week (they were basically home schooled the rest of the week) so I couldn’t take the time for my idea.

However, I thought a drama or vocal music teacher might find these of use.

The Reasons to Teach Broadway Musicals to Your Students:

  1.  It is always very entertaining.
  2.  Musical theater is a fabulous blend of music and theater–you get a little of both and never too much of either.
  3.   The action in a musical moves along fairly quickly because it’s peppered with song and/or dance, hence it keeps everyone engaged.
  4.   It is an excellent example of cooperative learning and creative problem solving–it incorporates every other arts medium–dance, art, music and theater!
  5.   Songs allow for interpretation of moments that a monologue can not explain so easily.
  6.   An entire moment in a story can be demonstrated through a song and dance which is much more interesting than  merely using dialogue.
  7.   In a school environment, most school musicals involve more than just the drama department–the music department participates which includes band and orchestra students.   Talk about involving the school!
  8.   Musicals are an excellent way to teach about current or historical events–Hamilton, Ragtime, Les Mis, 1776, The Scottsboro Boys, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Parade, Come From Away to name a few.
  9. Musicals teach about social issues–Rent, Cabaret, Dear Evan Hansen, Fun Home, Newsies, South Pacific, The book of Mormon, Hairspray, West Side Story, Falsettos, Newsies, Next to Normal, etc. 
  10.  Plus, as my husband said, “They are just fun!”

At least once a month or two, I create a new Broadway musical lesson.  Here is what they include:

(Here is an example from Hairspray, the Broadway Musical and pair it with Costume Design with Hairspray Characters

Broadway Musical Lessons for You to Use Tomorrow!

The product includes:

  • Letter to Teacher
  • Two Warm Ups–Dance Tutorials from the Actual Production
  • Teacher’s Script–What I Say and How I Say it!
  • Photos of Hairspray
  • Synopsis of the Musical
  • Plot of the Musical
  • Short Biography about Marc Shaiman composer and choreographer Jerry Mitchell
  • Separate File of Photos for Teacher’s Use in Lecture
  • History about the Origination of the Production
  • AND a Mini-Lesson on What are the Tony Awards?
  • List of Tony Awards
  • New York City Map with Competing Theaters Labeled
  • Student Note Page for Hairspray
  • Teacher Note Page Key
  • Trivia about Broadway and Hairspray
  • Songs List
  • Pinterest Board Link Specifically about Hairspray
  • Extension Activities– SEVEN Terrific Suggestions of Ways to Secure the Learning and Enrich the Experience either Individual or Group
  • Two costume design templates for one of the extension activities
  • Sources & Links to Film Clips from the Show
  • And More!

Comprehensive? You bet.

Did you know that Wicked is being made into a film with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande?

How can I use these in my classroom?  It depends upon the musical lesson, but teachers have used them in elementary through high school grades in classes of drama, vocal music, language arts and American history.  These lessons can be as short as one day or up to three days in length depending upon what the teacher requires.

All of the musicals in the gallery are available in my store here: Dramamommaspeaks Products

Plus, they are great with substitutes!

I hope you consider teaching with a Broadway musical lesson in the near future.  Do check back often, because as I mentioned, I’m always adding another to the store.

Want some free stuff?  Check out my page FREE Stuff.

What do you like about musicals?  I’d love to hear from you.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Deborah Baldwin, author of Dramamommaspeaks