Show Title:
Year:
Composer:
Lyricist:
Book Writer:
Venue:
What is the show about?:
What is the vibe of the show?:
How would you describe the music of the show?:
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:
What did you think of the show?:
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:
Tags:
Author first name:
Author surname:


Show Title:

Jagged Little Pill 
Year:

2018
Composer:
Alanis Morissette, Glen Ballard, Tom Kitt
Lyricist:

Alanis Morissette 
Book Writer:

Diablo Cody 
Venue:

Broadway
What is the show about?:

Based on Alanis Morissette's album, and is about pain, healing, and empowerment. 
What is the vibe of the show?:

Cool, emotional, drama 
How would you describe the music of the show?:

Hippy, upbeat, soft rock
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Mary Jane Healy - female lead mezzo soprano 

Frankie Healy - female supporting mezzo soprano

Nick Healy - male supporting tenor

Steve healy - male supporting baritone
What did you think of the show?:

I think the show is very dark and dramatic, but also very funny. It has a cool vibe to it. 
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

I think people in this class could play the female characters if they have a mezzo soprano voice. 
Tags:

Show Title:

Jelly's Last Jam
Year:

1992
Composer:

Jelly Roll Morton and Luther Henderson 
Lyricist:

Susan Birkenhead
Book Writer:

Goerge C. Wolfe
Venue:

Mark Taper Forum
What is the show about?:

This musical is based on the life and career of Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe.  Morton starts the play deceased looking back on his life. He was born into a wealthy mixed-race Creole family. As a young man, he gets into the music of the streets but gets disowned by his grandmother.  Because of this he rejects his Black heritage and stresses his Creole heritage. Later he realizes his heritage should not be neglected during his final moments.
What is the vibe of the show?:

Vibrant, very energetic
How would you describe the music of the show?:

Jazzy, soulful, blues
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, Chimney Man,  Jack the Bear, Anita, Miss Mamie, Hunnie, Gran Mimi, Buddy Bolden, Foot-in-yo-ass-Sam, Too-tight Nora, Melrose Brother, Three Finger Jack
What did you think of the show?:

I like it. I like the diversity of African American culture. 
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

No
Tags:

Show Title:

Motown: The Musical
Year:

2013
Composer:

A compilation of Motown artists
Lyricist:

A compilation of Motown artists
Book Writer:

Berry Gordy
Venue:

Broadway's Nederlander Theatre
What is the show about?:

A musical about Berry Gordy's journey through the music industry. It tells the story of many great Motown artists, including Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, and more.
What is the vibe of the show?:

soulful 
How would you describe the music of the show?:

RnB, blues, soul, rock and roll
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Motown artist
What did you think of the show?:

I think the show is a great way to tell the history of Motown and the many great Black artists that shaped what music is now.
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

no
Tags:

Show Title:

Oklahoma
Year:

1943
Composer:

Richard Rogers 
Lyricist:

Oscar Hammerstein 
Book Writer:

Oscar Hammerstein 
Venue:

Broadway 
What is the show about?:

Laurey is a farm girl who is in love with Curly but a bad man named Jud is in love with her. 
What is the vibe of the show?:
old timey and western
How would you describe the music of the show?:

upbeat and fun
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Laurey- leading lady

Curly- leading man

Jud- vilian

Ado Annie- Laurey's friend

Aunt Eller- Laurey's aunt
What did you think of the show?:

It was very classic
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

Laurey or Aunt Eller
Tags:

Show Title:

Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Year:

2017
Composer:

Douglas Lyons and Greg Borowsky
Lyricist:

Douglas Lyons
Book Writer:

Melvin Tunstall III
Venue:

Linda Gross Theater 
What is the show about?:

Lily Polkadot moves to a squares-only town in Rockaway. Based on Ruby Bridges
What is the vibe of the show?:

fun, kiddie
How would you describe the music of the show?:

very upbeat and lighthearted with real messages 
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:
Lily Polkadot, Sky Square, Penelope Square, Ms. Square Mama Square
What did you think of the show?:

I think it is a cute show for kids, and it introduces them to how to correct prejudice 
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

.
Tags:

Show Title:

singing in the rain 
Year:

1983
Composer:

Nacio Herb Brown 
Lyricist:

Arthur Freed 
Book Writer:

Adolph Green, Betty Comden 
Venue:
Westend 
What is the show about?:
Don and Lina are always cast as romantic partners, but when their latest film is remade into a musical Lina doesn't have the voice for it. So Kathy, an aspiring actress voices over her part.
What is the vibe of the show?:

classic, feel good, family show 
How would you describe the music of the show?:

dreamy, vintage, sweet
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Don Lockwood- leading male

Kathy Seldon- leading lady

Lina Lamont- aspiring actress 
What did you think of the show?:

It was very cute and fun
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

I think that someone could play either Lina or Kathy
Tags:

Show Title:

Six
Year:

2017
Composer:

Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow
Lyricist:

Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow
Book Writer:

Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow 
Venue:

Broadway
What is the show about?:

A modern, comical retelling of Henry VIII and his six wives. It presents itself as a pop concert, and each wife sings about their misfortunes caused by Henry to see who suffered the most and who should be the lead singer. They then realize that comparing themselves to each other and trying to see who had it worse being married to Henry does not show who they were as individuals.
What is the vibe of the show?:

Fun, lighthearted, educational
How would you describe the music of the show?:

catchy and not hard to listen through
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

(Wife 1) Anna of Cleves; Serious  

(Wife2) Anne Boleyn; Comic relief, flirty, raunchy  

(Wife 3) Catherine of Aragon; nice, sincere

(Wife 4) Katherine Howard;  funny, free-spirited, sassy

(Wife 5) Catherine Parr; nice nasty, promiscuous

(Wife 6) Jane Seymour; nice
What did you think of the show?:

I think the show is entertaining and educational
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

 I don't know everyone's acting style enough to know who could play who.
Tags:

Show Title:

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Year:

1978
Composer:

Carol Hall
Lyricist:

Carol Hall
Book Writer:

Larry L. King and Peter Masterson
Venue:

Broadway
What is the show about?:

There is a brothel in Gilbert, Texas and the owner is now Miss Mona Stangley, who inherited it from the original owner. She is friends with the local sheriff so that it why it doesn't get shut down. But, there is a reporter who is suspicious of the house and is trying to get it shut down.  
What is the vibe of the show?:

Square-dance
How would you describe the music of the show?:

Banjo, Country, Folk, Upbeat, Story-Telling
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd: Baritone

Melvine Thorpe: Baritone

Mona Stangley: Alto

Senator Wingwoah: Spoken

Angel: Mezzo

Shy: Mezzo

Jewel: Mezzo

Doatsy Mae: Alto

C.J. Scruggs: Spoken

Governor: Baritone; Bass

Edsel Mackey: Spoken

Band Leader: Spoken, Tenor, Baritone

Major Rufus Poindexter: Spoken
What did you think of the show?:

I like country music so I found it really entertaining. 
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:
If you aren't worried about the topics discussed and you can do a country accent, I feel like they could. 
Tags:

Show Title:

The Book of Mormon
Year:
2011
Composer:

Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone
Lyricist:

Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone
Book Writer:

Same
Venue:

Broadway
What is the show about?:

About a LDS Church and Kevin Price who go house to house to convert people to The Church of Latter-Day Saints. Every aspiring mormon missionary goes on a two-year mission and Price gets sent to Uganda with Elder Cunningham. When they get to Uganda, they learn that no one has been able to convert the people and Price believes that he will be the first missionary to succeed. When it doesn't work, he starts to make up stories about the religion to make it seem more interesting. 
What is the vibe of the show?:

Satire, point out the ridiculousness of some religion
How would you describe the music of the show?:

Upbeat, comedic
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Elder Cunningham: Tenor

Elder Price: Tenor

Nabalungi: Mezzo

Mafala Hatimbi: Baritone

General: Baritone

Elder McKinley: Baritone
What did you think of the show?:

Different than what I had heard before
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

Probably not
Tags:

Show Title:

The Music Man 
Year:
1957
Composer:

Meredith Willson 
Lyricist:

Meredith Willson 
Book Writer:

Meredith Willson 
Venue:

Broadway 
What is the show about?:

about a con man who poses as a boys band leader and sells instruments who falls in love. 
What is the vibe of the show?:

classic, dreamy, romantic
How would you describe the music of the show?:

classic, choppy, talk singing 
What characters are in the show? What do they demand of the actors who play them?:

Marian Paroo - female lead soprano

Harold Hill - male lead bass-baritone

Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn- female supporting alto

Mrs. Paroo - female supporting mezzo soprano 
What did you think of the show?:
The overall vibe reminded me of musicals like marry Poppins.
Does the show have any roles or songs that might be appropriate for folks in the class?:

Yes if you can play classic characters well 
Tags:
◄ Sample Session Paperwork
Student As Character Reading (Please read full doc by class 9/30.) ►