MUSIC 10 (WEEK 2)

LESSON: 3

Broadway Musicals

What I Know

Activity 2.1

Locate and encircle the word related to Musical Play inside the box. The
word/s may be arranged horizontally, vertically, diagonally/inverted. Match the words
found to the questions below.
T H E P H A N T O M O F T H E O P E R A
A R T Y U I O P L K J H G F D A S Z L X
Z L N B C D F G H T R W Q L M N B V E C
X W S Q W E R T Y U I O P H J G F D A S
E R E A S D L E S M I S E R A B L E S M
J E D F C G H I I J U K L L A E C B A N
L N A A E I E S T Y U S I O A V Q S L R
Y Y J Z O P S A S D F G I P Q B E D O H
I A L X I S Q U W R T Y P C W N R F N G
Q W R C A L L A M A R K S O A M T C G F
S D C I U K O C A F E T E O R L Y V A O
O A G V Y J C T Z A O P D L K K P J A A
P O R B T H K I X E G D V A I L U L S Q
N R E N R G E O C O H O N S N O I N A E
S B P M E F D N V I K L Q U G I O M D Y
M U L F L O W E R D R U M S O N G K C J
W P K A S E G I O K J E R T O S P L V I
 Popular entertainment with themes and texts which are generally light and
easy to understand.
 A musical wrote by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil.
 A lighter form of music drama.
 West End musical of Austrian History.
 The famous Filipino international theater star.
 What Is It


 Broadway Musicals

 The first major Broadway musical was Showboat, which featured the popular
mode of transport in the American frontier. Since then, musicals have
presented other themes: Siamese royalty in The King and I, English
aristocracy in My Fair Lady, Austrian history in The Sound of Music, medieval
English tragedy in Camelot, and interracial gang rivalry and romance in the
West side story. Many Broadway musicals were also made into films.

Broadway musicals are
 family entertainment with themes
and texts which are generally
light and easy to understand. Thesemay include the problems of everyday
life, such as love and romance, social
acceptance, jealousy and intrigue, and
adventure. The singing is usually amplified,
unlike the operatic quality of classically trained
voices.

Thus, many songs from Broadway

Musicals have become popular hits and some
 have achieved semi-classical status because
of their sustained popularity. Among these are Scene from the Sound of Music
Climb Every Mountain from Sound of Music, I Could Have Danced All Night from
My Fair Lady, If I Loved You from Carousel, If Ever I Would Leave You from
Camelot, Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific, and Sun Moon from Miss
Saigon. These are also widely used for local and school productions because of
their popularity, appeal, and generally less demanding style of singing and acting.

A number of other musicals were adaptations of classical operas. Among these

were Miss Saigon based on Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and Aida from Verdi’s
opera with the same title. While with the advent of technology, modern
productions like The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Beauty and the
Beast, and Lion King have enthralled audiences with amazing set designs,
elaborate costumes, and computer-generated visual and sound effects.

Lea Salonga on Broadway

One Filipino artist who attained

international status on both London’s
West End and Broadway is Lea Salonga.
She is best known for her portrayal of Kim
in the musical Miss Saigon, a role for which
she won the prestigious Tony Award for
theater in the USA and the Laurence Olivier
 Award in London. Lea Salonga in Miss Saigon
Lea also garnered the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same
role in the USA. Salonga is the first Filipina to have won various international
awards for a single role. Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg
and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. It is a modern adaptation of
Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, which also tells the tragic tale of a
doomed romance wherein an Asian woman is abandoned by her Caucasian
lover. The setting of the plot is relocated to the 1970s’ Saigon during the Vietnam
War, with Madame Butterfly’s love story between an American Lieutenant and a
Japanese geisha modified into a romance between an American soldier and a
Vietnamese bar girl.

Miss Saigon first opened at West End in London in 1989 and closed in 1994. The
London production became one of the Theatre Royal’s (Drury Lane) longest
running musicals. Thereafter, it was successfully produced in many cities around
the world. The USA production opened at the Broadway Theatre in New York on
April 11, 1991 and closed on January 28, 2001 after 4,092 performances. It was
again re-staged in London in 2014 with a different cast.
 Following Miss Saigon, Salonga was the first Asian to play the role of Eponine
in the musical Les Misérables, based on the novel of the same title written in
1862 by the French author Victor Hugo. She also played the role of Mei-Li in
Flower Drum Song.

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is a broadway

musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard
Stilgoe, with lyrics by Charles Hart and music by
Lloyd Webber. It is based on the novel The Phantom
of the Opera by Gaston Leroux.

The story focuses on a beautiful singer Christine Daaé as she is seduced by a

mysterious disfigured musical genius known as The Phantom of the Opera. The
Phantom lives beneath the Paris Opera House and terrorizes those who work
there. He demands that Christine be the star of the theater’s productions. When
the young singer rejects the Phantom’s advances and her lover Raoul intervenes,
the Phantom sets no limits in his pursuit of revenge and of Christine’s love.
However, Christine escapes with Raoul to the roof, where she tells him about her
subterranean rendezvous with the Phantom. Raoul is skeptical but swears to love
and to protect her always, as demonstrated in their song All I Ask of You.

The Phantom of the Opera is one of the longest-running Broadway musicals of all
time. At the 1988 Tony Awards, the Broadway production was nominated for 11
awards and won seven, including the Best Musical award. The musical also won
several awards at the 1988 Drama Desk Awards.

Les Miserables

Les Misérables, known as “Les Mis,” Is a musical composed in 1980 by French

composer Claude-Michel Schönberg with libretto by Alain Boublil. It is based on
 the novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. It is perhaps the most famous of all
French musicals and one of the most famous musicals performed worldwide.


Les Mis tells the story of paroled convict Jean Valjean who, failing attempts to
find work as an honest man, breaks his chains and conceals his identity in order
to live his life again. Other characters in the musical include the police inspector
Javert, who becomes obsessed with finding Valjean; Fantine, the single mother
of Cosette, who is forced to become a prostitute to support her daughter; Marius,
a French student who falls in love with Valjean’s adopted daughter, Cosette;
Eponine, the young daughter of the Thénardiers who falls in love with Marius; the
Thénardiers, who own an inn; and Enjolras and other students, who are working
toward freeing the oppressed lower class of France.

The musical opened in September 1980 at the Palais des Sports in Paris. The
first English production, produced by Mackintosh and directed by Trevor Nunn,
opened on October 8, 1985 at the Barbican Arts Centre in London. The
Broadway production opened on March 12, 1987 and was nominated for 12 Tony
Awards, winning eight, including “Best Musical” and “Best Original Score,” and
ran until 2003.

On October 8, 2006, the show celebrated its 21st anniversary and became the
longest running West End musical in history and is still running (though it has
changed venues). Its Tony award-winning score includes the songs I Dreamed a
Dream, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty
Tables, Master of the House, and On My Own.

What I Can Do
Activity 2.4 Picture Perfect

Directions: Post a picture of a musical play of your choice (you can use pictures from
the internet, newspapers, magazine, etc.). Describe the picture and justify your
answer. (Rubric/criteria for the activity found in table 2.2 on pp. 19)

PICTURE
 LESSON
Theatrical Elements of
3 Musical Play
Theatrical Elements of
Musical Play
What I Know

Noli me Tangere Showboat Broadway

Music Audience Space
Daragang Magayon Atang-Dulang May Musika El Filibusterismo
Florante at Laura Ang dakilang Anak Pawis Magsimula ka
Script Katy Performer
Director

Directions: Inside the box are the different musical plays in the Philippines.
Write your answer on the space provided before the number.

_______1. The five-act work commissioned by Alfonso Puyat in 1979,

depicting the life of revolutionary hero, music was by Jerry Dadap.
_______2. Written by Floy Quintos and directed by Alexander Cortes, was
shown at UP Diliman in 2008 as part of the Zarzuela Festival organized by the
UP College of Arts and Letters. It is a musical based on the life of the first
superstar of the Philippines.
_______3. It is an art that affects the emotion and thoughts of the
performers to persuade the audience.
_______4. It is about the life of bodabil star. It was initially presented by
Actors Studio East Production in 1988.
_______5. They entertain like actor, dancer, and singer that artistically
expresses their talent to audience.
_______6. It was presented by Tanghalang Pilipino at the CCP Little
Theater (Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino) from July 7 to 24, 1988 in celebration
of the 200th birth anniversary of the author Francisco Balagtas-Baltazar.
_______7. They give their responses to the performance through reacting
and responding in their own perceptions and sees innovation, style, historical
period, level of abstraction, social class, and given circumstances in the play.
_______8. The production for poetry and mixed media for male and female
narrators, female voice, two percussionists, two pianists, and two dancers, is
based on a poem by Merlinda C. Bobis.
_______9. It was staged at the CCP Little Theater from February 1 to 4,
1996 as a production of Tanghalang Pilipino.
_______10. The first major Broadway musical.
 _______11. Musicals that are family entertainment with themes and texts
which are generally light and easy to understand. These may include the
problems of everyday life, such as love and romance, social acceptance,
jealousy and intrigue, and adventure.
_______12. Is a form of writing that consists of a dialogue that the characters
say to each other. It defines dialogue, action, and scenes.
_______13. The musical play that was staged at the CCP Main Theater from
Augus 8 to 10, 1997 as a production of Tanghalang Pilipino.
_______14. The musical play by Gines Tan that was staged at the CCP
Main Theater from April 7 to 24, 1988. As the winner of the CCP Playwriting
Contest in 1983, it became one of the longest running musicals at the CCP.
_______15. Is an important element of a play since the stage itself
represents the space where the action or performance happened or
presented.

MUSICAL PLAYS

1. BONIFACIO: ANG DAKILANG ANAK-PAWIS

The musical play entitled Andres Bonifacio: Ang Dakilang Anak-Pawis is a

five-act work commissioned by Alfonso Puyat in 1979, depicting the life of
revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio. It was co-produced by the Cultural Center of
the Philippines and the Andres Bonifacio Music Foundation, Inc., and was staged
again at the CCP main theatre on August 20 and 21, 1994 with Jerry Dadap as the
composer-conductor and the late Elmo Makil as Bonifacio.

2. ATANG - DULANG MAY MUSIKA

The musical play Atang - Dulang May Musika, written by Floy Quintos and
directed by Alexander Cortes, and with music by Von de Guzman, was shown
atGuerrero theatre, Palma hall in UP Diliman in 2008 as part of the Zarzuela Festival
organized by the UP College of Arts and Letters. It is a musical based on the life of
the first superstar of the Philippines, Atang Dela Rama.

3. KATY!

The musical Katy! is about the life of bodabil star Katy de la Cruz. It was
initially presented by Actors Studio East Production in 1988. The music and musical
arrangements were done by Nonong Buencamino, based on the book and lyrics of
Tony Perez. The play commissioned Ryan Cayabyab for the music, Jose Javier
Reyes for the lyrics, and starred Mitch Valdes in the title role.

4. FLORANTE AT LAURA

The musical Florante at Laura was presented by Tanghalang Pilipino at the

CCP Little Theatre (Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino) from July 7 to 24, 1988 in
celebration of the 200th birth anniversary of the author Francisco Balagtas-Baltazar.
It was selected as the official Philippine entry to the first ASEAN Theater Festival in
August 1988.

5. DARAGANG MAGAYON

The musical play Daragang Magayon, a production for poetry and mixed
media for male and female narrators, female voice, two percussionists, two pianists,
and two dancers, is based on a poem by Merlinda C. Bobis. It was first presented at
the Cultural Center of the Philippines Loading Dock on March 1 and 2, 1991. It was
produced by the CCP Women’s Desk and the Coordinating Center for Dance to
celebrate Women’s Month.

6. NOLI ME TANGERE

The musical play on Noli Me Tangere was staged at the CCP Little Theater
from February 1 to 4, 1996 as a production of Tanghalang Pilipino. The creative
team included Ryan Cayabyab as Composer and Musical Director, National Artist
Bienvenido Lumbera as Librettist, Edna Vida as Choreographer, National Artist
Salvador Bernal as Set and Costume Designer, Masaaki Sano as Lighting Designer,
Gerry Fernandez as Associate Lighting Designer, and Nonon Padilla as Stage
Director. The musical play closely follows the storyline of the original novel and the
opera. The musical play assumes a more contemporary approach in the musical
compositions owing to Cayabyab’s chromatic and rhythmically innovative style, as
compared with de Leon`s highly tonal and more lyrical character. Selected songs in
the musical include Sa Muling Pagkikita, Dalawang Lihim, Tatlong Sulok ng Pag-
ibig, Ang mga Sawimpalad, Ang Multo sa Lawa, Ang Totoo ay Totoo, and Sa
Bagtasan ng mga Landas.

7. EL FILIBUSTERISMO

The musical play on El Filibusterismo is a two-act play that was staged at the
CCP Main Theatre from August 8 to 10, 1997 as a production of Tanghalang
Pilipino. The creative team was composed of Ryan Cayabyab for Music,Jovy Miroy
for the Libretto, Edna Vida for the Choreography, National Artist Salvador Bernal for
the Set and Costume Design, and Nonon Padilla for Stage Direction. The musical
play closely follows the Rizal novel, whose major character Crisostomo Ibarra
disguised as Simoun.

8. MAGSIMULA KA

The musical play Magsimula Ka by Gines Tan was staged at the CCP Main
Theatre from April 7 to 24, 1988. As the winner of the CCP Playwriting Contest in
1983, it became one of the longest running musicals at the CCP. Later, it underwent
a series of revivals in the ensuing years while some of its initial lead performers
eventually became stars in their own right.

Magsimula Ka is the story of young dreamers whose ambitions begin to fade

in life’s realities. They are part of the graduating class filled with hope but end up
compromising their idealism for their own survival. The play responds to the young
peoples’ lingering question of whether there is hope for them in this cruel world. A
major factor in realizing this hope is to start and uphold one’s talent or ambition
despite all odds.

What’s More

Locate and encircle the word related to Musical Play and Theatrical Elements
inside the box. The word/s may be arranged horizontally, vertically,
diagonally/inverted. Match the words found to the questions below.

T C E P S A L A U S I V G E A
S O U N S X E H J B A A M D B
X Y Z O A S S F K N C U J A F
B M X P R E T A E H T C Y N L
M A K E U P H S L S S B I U O
A G S S T Z G Q O S A D H U Y
R S O U N D I C M Y B G G O Q
O I A A S L L A A N I E F S U
T M C M U S I C A L P L A Y I
C U I D F A N G N R A R S B N
E L K F X A E G H T S X O A T
R A R T Y S E R I S O Y Q P O
I K V R I Q Z Z Y R E N E C S
D A R A G A N G M A G A Y O N
A R U A L T A E T N A R O L F

 It is a collaborative performances presented in an area with live audiences. It is

an art that is used to show actual experiences as a form of dramatic
representation as an art or profession.
 A lighter form of musical drama compared to opera.
 Their role is to enhance the performance of the actors and present the story of a
play in a persuasive way.
 Are considered to be impressive since it includes the relationship of the actors
during the performance. It also involves the stage setting and design, lights,
props and costumes of the characters.
 It helps to convey the mood and feelings of the actors and viewers due to its
placement and intensity.
 These are the equipment used to communicate environment during the
performance like curtains, flats, backdrops, or platforms.
 It is what the audience hear during a performance to communicate character,
context, and environment.
 Any moveable objects that are used during a performance and can also be taken
in a short period of time.
 It is used to transform an actor to into a character like costumes, wigs, and body
paints.
 These are the clothing and accessories worn by the performers/actors to portray
their characters during the play.
 He wrote the musical play Atang - Dulang May Musika.
 The composer and Musical Director of the musical play Noli Me Tangere.
 One of the Philippine musical plays that tells about the story of young dreamers
whose ambitions begin to fade in life’s realities.
 This musical play was first presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Loading Dock on March 1 and 2, 1991
 This musical play was selected as the official Philippine entry to the first ASEAN
Theater Festival in August 1988.

What I Have Learned

Theater is a collaborative performances presented in an area with live audiences. It
is an art that is used to show actual experiences as a form of dramatic
representation as an art or profession.

The theatrical elements are combined with opera music which creates an
ambiance of original theater. The playback singers perform their singing and their
voice is mixed with the musical notes to produce the best theater effect. Apart from
this, dancers will show their expressions for the corresponding music.

The music is put strategically in emotional high positions, and

the media effects have been calibrated to create realistic moods. This combines
the theatrical elements in a musical play with music and media to create a special
effect that attracts attention of the audience.

The idea or the story in a musical play is presented in a live performance by

combining songs, dance numbers, dialogues and even acting. These are the means
in which the story or the concept will be presented and made to understood and
appreciated by audience.

To sum up, the following are the major elements of theatre:

 Performers
 Audience
 Director
 Theatre Space
 Design Aspects (scenery, costume, lighting, and sound)
 Script (which includes focus, purpose, point of view,

The technical elements of theatre are the: Scenery, costumes, props, lights,
sound and make up. For performance elements, the most obvious elements are
acting and the characters. Musical play is a theatre production with many songs and
dances that provide the story.

Musical theatre is a form of theatre that combines songs, spoken dialogue,

acting, and dance. Music is a form of art; an expression of emotions through
harmonic frequencies. Most music includes people singing with their voices or
playing musical instruments, such as the piano, guitar, drums or violin. The
word music comes from the Greek word (mousike), which means "(art) of the
Muses".