Musical Theatre Podcast | Episode 22 – Visual Element Series: Choreography
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Episode 22 of the Take Me To The World Musical Theatre Podcast is the fourth episode in my series on visual elements in musical theatre. In this episode I talk about choreography and my perspective on how choreography is used in musicals.
You don’t need to listen to the previous episodes of the Visual Elements series to understand this episode. However; if you want to listen the previous episodes of this series check out:
Episode 19 – Lighting Design
Episode 17 – Set Design
Episode 15 – Props
While you don’t need to listen to these episodes to understand this one I do talk about the musical Cabaret. If you’re interested you can listen to my 3-part series on the musical Cabaret here.
I also failed to mention in the podcast the choreographer for the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was Larry Fuller. The choreographer for the original Broadway production of Hairspray was Jerry Mitchell. The choreographers for the movie Singing in the Rain were Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen.
Where to Listen to Episode 22?
If you haven’t heard it yet you can listen to Episode 22 on Podcasts.com
Listen and subscribe to the Take Me To The World Musical Theatre Podcast on the following websites/apps
Audible
Deezer
iTunes
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Resources – Music
This has links to the cast recordings/soundtracks that I mentioned in this podcast, as well as to some musical playlists.
It’s Broadway, Bitch – Deezer Playlist. This has over 1700 songs from different musicals. Albums are listed in random order. Some songs contain strong language and subject matter; listener discretion is advised.
Sounds of Broadway. This is an online radio station with over 4600 songs from 560 different musicals. The station also has a great weekly podcast about musicals.
Newsies (2012 Original Broadway Cast)
Rent (1996 Original Broadway Cast – Highlights)
Hadestown (2019 Original Broadway Cast)
Fela! (2010 Original Broadway Cast)
The Lion King (1994 Movie Soundtrack)
Hairspray (2002 Original Broadway Cast)
The Book of Mormon (2011 Original Broadway)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979 Original Broadway Cast)
Cabaret (1998 New Broadway Cast)
Singing in the Rain (1952 Movie Soundtrack)
Resources – Videos
These are links on Just Watch (unless stated otherwise) for any musicals mentioned in the episode that have a movie adaption or a proshot/filmed live on stage version. Nonmusical movies that exist for these shows may be listed as well.
Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical (2017 Filmed Stage Production)
Rent (2005 Movie)
Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway (2008 Filmed Stage Movie)
Les Misérables (2012 Movie)
Fela! (Clip of the song “Zombie” on YouTube)
The Lion King (1994 Disney Animated Movie)
Hairspray (2007 Movie)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007 Movie)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982 Filmed Stage Movie)
Cabaret (1972 Movie Adaptation)
Cabaret (1993 London Revival). This is a version on YouTube that was professionally recorded that’s the closest to the to the 1998 revival.
Singing in the Rain (1952 Movie)
“Moses Supposes” scene from Singing in the Rain from the Warner Brothers YouTube page.
Resources – Websites and Apps
The following musicals mentioned in this episode have professional productions running where you may be able to buy tickets (if not sold out). This list is accurate for February 12, 2024, and if you’re listening to this podcast after this date these productions may have closed.
Hadestown (New York, London, and Tour)
The Lion King (New York and Several International Productions)
Hairspray (Tour)
The Book of Mormon (New York, London, and Tour)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (New York)
Cabaret (New York starting April 2024) and Cabaret (London)
Reddit Musicals and Reddit Musical Theatre. Both subreddits are great places to learn about musicals, get tips (if you’re a performer), and to get recommendations on shows to check out.
Broadway Musical Home. This is a great website with a list of over 300 musicals. The Rights page has information on where to get the rights to put on a variety of musicals. Concord Theatricals and Musical Theatre International are the two main companies to license musicals.
Playbill has a listing for shows (musicals and plays) in New York, London and National Tours.
Today Tix has an App for both iOS and Android. You can use the app to buy cheap, same-day tickets for shows in several cities like New York, London, and more. I’ve used this app in London and highly recommend it.
Use the Code JGZYL to save £10 (or $10) on your first order with Today Tix.
What do you think about choreography in musicals? Is there a particular musical where you love the choreography?