I'm writing a musical?

Question

I need to write a musical. Any ideas on what to write about?

Answer 1

Write music ? Well I remember my songs without writing notes. You should download something on your computer that allows you to do something like that.

Answer 2

If you want to practice, find a short story or short novel and turn that into a musical. This way you already have fully formed characters and situations to work with. This is a little easier than starting from scratch. Once you feel comfortable with this format, you can move on to an original piece. Also, try to find the Inside the Actors Studio with Stephen Sondheim as guest. He gives a great lecture on how he got started. Oscar Hammerstein had him start with a short story, then allowed him to move up to an original piece. You need to walk before you can run.  

Answer 3

There are three legs to a musical: the book (the story and dialog), the music and the lyrics. This is a huge undertaking that is normally divided between at least 2 and often 3 or more parties.

My first suggestion to you is to find at least 1 collaborator to work with. For example, if you are a musician, you might consider finding a partner to do the book. Rogers and Hammerstein was a great team. Rogers did the lyrics and Hammerstein wrote the score. Aside from the issues of collaboration here's how I would proceed.

Start with a main theme or idea: injustice, transformation, love, quest, etc. Then find a story or event that supports that theme. If I choose transformation as my theme, then I might want to do a musical about a jihadist who, through a set of events and personal experience, rejects terrorism and jihad to travel the path of a peace maker. You might also decide on a tone at this point as well. Will the story be funny, sad, uplifting, tragic, etc.

Once the theme and story are defined, then I need to develop a plot, characters and all that goes along with it like setting, period (length of time the story takes to be told), etc. Scenery, costumes, orchestration can come much later.

The path forward from this point is less clear. Some complete the book before commencing work on the songs, dance numbers, etc. Others work on the book, music and lyrics at the same time.

Ultimately, your chances for success will increase if you find a theme and story that move you emotionally, intellectually and spritually. It should resonate with your core.

Good luck!

Answer 4

some kid who overheard that there was auditions for his/her favorite musical brought to DVD (like the movie mamma mia was first a musical but now its also a movie) and its about the trouble the amatuer faces

please write in the details why u need to

song titles could be-

-this is my chance

i will do good

what if i fail

i did it!

did they like me?

and maybe (depends on if he gets  a part in the movie or not)

a song called-  i succeed

Answer 5

love heartbreak anger  

Answer 6

I agree with the first answer. =)