I like creative people.
I like smart people.
So I like creative, smart people. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many in my life, both as a performer and as a teacher, and to be friends with quite a few as well. I saw this quote by Albert Einstein, and I couldn’t agree more:
Right now I am working on Sunday’s presentation for my musical theater history/performance course, From Tin Pan Alley to Today. This is week 4, and my focus is on the 1970s-1980s, and what is referred to as the “Concept Musical,” as well as on the “Mega Musical.”
The former is linked to my favorite composer, Stephen Sondheim. As I discussed in a recent blogpost, Sondheim has a very specific approach to composition from which I think most of us could benefit in areas other than art. His concepts for shows are specific and often a little unusual. I think most of his shows would make excellent fodder for the Facebook game, “Explain the story of a musical badly.”
- Man turns 30, can’t decide who to marry
- Old showgirls never die, they just cheat on their husbands
- Vengeful barber kills unsuspecting clients while his practical landlady cuts them up for pies (gives a whole new twist to the idea of mincemeat)
- Unattractive woman becomes obsessed with hot soldier
You have to be both intelligent and creative to make musicals like these work, and work beautifully.
Honestly, I could spend the entire class on Sondheim alone (I could spend the entire course on Sondheim alone), but I suppose I should give some time to Claude-Michel Schönberg, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Maury Yeston, because they wrote a few things during this time period as well as well (and they pretty much embody the idea of the “mega-musical”).
What composer or writer or actor (or non-arts person – creativity is not only to be found in the arts) inspires you the most? Feel free to comment below!
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If you want to have fun and find your voice while being smart & creative, there are a few openings in Mezzoid Voice Studio, either as a voice studio or in one of my upcoming courses. Touch base with me here to get more information.