VERY INTERESTING: MUSICALS

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

Five Fun Facts about Musical Theater!

The triple threat of the dance world, musical theater involves acting, singing, and dancing. It uses the stage to tell stories. In Musical Theater, you will be pushed and challenged. You will also be greatly rewarded! 

We love our musical theater classes and Starz, our theater company. If you love musical theater, or are just curious about it, let’s dive in and take a look at some fun facts! 

1. Musicals have only been around for about a century. 

While the theater has been around for a very long time, musicals started just about a century ago. Taking elements from Vaudeville and opera, musicals created their own unique form of theater. 

 2. Musicals were originally all comedic. 

Up until the Hammerstein and Kern production of Showboat in 1927, all American musicals were based in comedy. Showboat opened the door to a wider variety of themes. Now musicals cover all human emotions, and themes from comedy to more somber content as well. 

 3. Broadway is “The Place” for musical theater performers and shows. 

For anyone interested in musical theater, making it onto Broadway is often the ultimate accomplishment. To get there takes a lot of hard and intentional work! It is an extremely competitive and professional space. Some shows will even dismiss you for arriving late to a rehearsal. Broadway is also a fantastic place to see shows and enjoy great performers!

4. Broadway was known as the “Great White Way”

In the 1890s, the Theatre District in New York was one of the first streets to be fully illuminated by electric bulbs. Thus it’s nickname! Then in 1910, Broadway  signs were illuminated with candescent bulbs to add dazzling lights. 

Bonus Fun Fact : During WWI, the lights of Broadway were dimmed. However, the public outcry forced the government to increase the city’s rations in order to restore the lights.

 5. Broadway Theatres don’t have to be physically located on Broadway Street

To qualify as a Broadway theatre, a theatre must have 500 seats and be located between 40th St and 54th St, and the West of 6th Ave. to East of 8th Ave, which  includes Times Square. Theatres with 99-499 seats are Off-Broadway, and if they have under 99 seats they are off-off-Broadway.  

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking