Musical Adaptations: Investigate the Adaptation (3 of 4) (Lesson)

Musical Adaptations: Investigate the Adaptation (3 of 4)

Type: Lesson

Topic(s): Theatre History & Dramaturgy, Musical Theatre

Audience: High School, College/Higher Education

Skill level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Suggested Time Frame:

2-3 days

Keywords: musical theatre adaptation distance learning play analysis comparative analysis research skills presentation skills romeo and juliet west side story my fair lady pygmalion

Description

Based on source material, students examine the appropriate musical adaptation: West Side Story or My Fair Lady. They will look at how the show developed from an historical as well as artistic perspective, and identify important similarities and differences in the plots.

This lesson is in the Unit "Musical Adaptations: Critique & Artistic Intent."

Essential Question

How does a play become a Broadway musical?

Learning Objectives

Compare and contrast dramatic elements between original play and musical adaptation
Make interpretative decisions about the musical, based on the source material

Related Lessons

National Arts Anchor Standards

Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, & historical context.
Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

Preparation

Students need their StageAgent log in. They should have read Romeo and Juliet or Pygmalion in preparation for learning about the corresponding musical. Use the comparison handout in Resources for students to take notes.

Modification notes

This lesson is designed for distance learning.

Warm-up activities

Have students read the relevant show guide for their Golden Age musical adaptation: My Fair Lady or West Side Story.

Instructional Activities

Students are familiar with the source material; now they will explore the adaptations. Use the Comparative Critique handout for students to take notes on the shows. This handout asks students to consider both the dramatic and structural elements of the shows, as well as develop their own opinions on the intentions behind creating musical adaptations.

Students should read and watch as much of the musical adaptation as is available. Film versions of both My Fair Lady and West Side Story are available to watch through YouTube, either as a full movie or in fragments.

My Fair Lady

This video from the PBS Series Broadway: The American Musical chronicles the adaptation of Pygmalion into My Fair Lady.

The full 1964 film of My Fair Lady is also on YouTube (at least in fragments).
The show was revived in 2017-18 and nominated for ten Tony Awards. See this interview about the revival.

West Side Story

This video is a look at how West Side Story was made. (This documentary is almost an hour, and looks at both the original production as well as recent versions.) This video is a quick overview of the 2020 Broadway revival and the changes from the original production. The StageAgent guide for West Side Story also has professional production photos from this revival.