What is a musical?
A musical is a performance where catchy songs, solo style, choruses, ensemble, and duets. Spoken dialog, dance sequences, and costumes are used to entertain.
How is dance used in musicals?
Dance is used in musicals to build plot and further character development, Jazz, ballet, and tap dancing are usually the most fundamental dance used in dance musicals, though more modern dances like hip hop are becoming more common.
Some popular dancers
Jack Cole, Jack Cole is known as ‘the father of theatrical jazz dance.’ His dance style is heavily inspired by east India, Africa, and Caribbean, though he does incorporate methods from ballet, and Lindy hop. Jack Cole is best known for his performance for Marilyn Monroe’s ‘ Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’
Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd was the first choreographer to have received five Tony Awards, he has performed many athletic dances for the films ‘Seven brides for seven brothers’ and the band wagon.
Gwen Verdon started as the assistant of Jack Cole, but she went on to become a muse to Bob Fosse and then they eventually married. the both of them collaborated and worked on several projects including, ‘Chicago’, and ‘Sweet charity’, later on she had received the National medal of the arts in 1998.
Susan Stroman, Susan Stroman toured in the original production of ‘Chicago’ and won her first Tony Awards for the best choreography for ‘Crazy for you’ in 1992. she also became a producer and produced or choreographed a total of 14 shows.