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THE LAST 2500 YEARS: DEFINING, DISSECTING AND DIRECTING THE LESS LINEAR MUSICAL

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Date Issued:
2010
Abstract/Description:
Since the first recorded theatrical events, theatre has been presented in a linear fashion. It is no surprise that the majority of American Musical Theatre also follows a linear plot conception. Musicals that blatantly defy linearity are often called ÂÂ"conceptÂÂ" musicals. However, there is a small portion of concept musicals that do not abandon their linear plot altogether, but instead choose to skew the line in order to give the audience a unique perspective of the story being told. This mass categorization does not accurately take into account the extreme difference in structure of the two types of concept musicals. For this purpose, I explored the notion of a new structural category, the Less Linear Concept Musical, in hopes of identifying the unique characteristics and challenges associated with this type of musical. Beginning with AristotleÂÂ's "The Poetics" and ending in modern day Musical Theatre, I examine key events in the shaping of this musical theatre form, as well as define the form itself. The application of this research culminated in a classroom presentation of Jason Robert BrownÂÂ's The Last Five Years, which I directed. I pose the question, ÂÂ"Can sound direction conquer the pitfalls found within the Less Linear Concept Musical?ÂÂ"
Title: THE LAST 2500 YEARS: DEFINING, DISSECTING AND DIRECTING THE LESS LINEAR MUSICAL.
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Name(s): Lewis, Andrew, Author
Weaver, Earl, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2010
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Since the first recorded theatrical events, theatre has been presented in a linear fashion. It is no surprise that the majority of American Musical Theatre also follows a linear plot conception. Musicals that blatantly defy linearity are often called ÂÂ"conceptÂÂ" musicals. However, there is a small portion of concept musicals that do not abandon their linear plot altogether, but instead choose to skew the line in order to give the audience a unique perspective of the story being told. This mass categorization does not accurately take into account the extreme difference in structure of the two types of concept musicals. For this purpose, I explored the notion of a new structural category, the Less Linear Concept Musical, in hopes of identifying the unique characteristics and challenges associated with this type of musical. Beginning with AristotleÂÂ's "The Poetics" and ending in modern day Musical Theatre, I examine key events in the shaping of this musical theatre form, as well as define the form itself. The application of this research culminated in a classroom presentation of Jason Robert BrownÂÂ's The Last Five Years, which I directed. I pose the question, ÂÂ"Can sound direction conquer the pitfalls found within the Less Linear Concept Musical?ÂÂ"
Identifier: CFE0003361 (IID), ucf:48479 (fedora)
Note(s): 2010-08-01
M.F.A.
Arts and Humanities, Department of Theatre
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Aristotle
Plot
Musical Theatre
Linear
Non-linear
Neoclassicism
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003361
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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