What are the important and iconic scenes from musicals with the participation of women: background
In the history of musicals there are many memorable and iconic scenes that have become part of the visual culture and are constantly being played up and reproduced in other media films and TV shows. We decided to recall the most recognizable scenes from musicals with the participation of women - very different in terms of vocals, choreography and cultural significance.
Justin Higuchi CC BY photo
Hamilton is one of the loudest American musicals of recent years. The musical received the Grammy Award (best album based on theatrical musical), the Pulitzer Prize as the best dramatic work and eleven Tony statuettes.
This is a story about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, in an atypical Broadway genre - rap in half with R'n'B. Despite the fact that the main characters of Hamilton are predominantly men (politicians, rulers and the military, among whom are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and even King George III), in female characters, Skyler sisters are one of the most memorable songs of the musical.
Like the whole musical, set design and choreography of the number also have their own meaning - the platform revolves around the heroines, symbolizing the active and eventful social life of New York, where the American Revolution begins to mature. The main musical motive of the song is harmony among sisters (vocal and family), although each of them is presented separately. Social norms are reversed (in this the artistic intent of the musical): Skyler sisters at the Hamilton are strong women who historically could not play a large role in the events described, but in the space of the musical take a more proactive stance.
One of the most long-playing and iconic performances of Broadway was coolly received by critics after the premiere in 2003, but won spectator love. In 2017, Wicked (“Evil”) outstripped “The Phantom of the Opera” and became the second highest grossing musical in the history of Broadway - only “The Lion King” was ahead.
The story of Wicked develops in parallel with the events of the book "The Amazing Wizard of Oz" by Leimen Baum. Two heroines (Elfaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the future Good Witch of the North) grow up, compete with each other, try to improve relations and resist the Magician tyrant.
Defying Gravity by Idina Menzel is one of the iconic songs in the history of the musical.
Elfaba decides to leave Oz, where everyone looks askance at her because of her unusual appearance, and breaks with her past life, the Wizard and his values — this song has become a metaphor for the courage to be yourself in spite of everything and get rid of the opinions of others.
Interestingly, Wicked is one of those musicals, where most of the songs are united by several common leitmotifs, which are transformed depending on the mood and meaning of the song and performed by different instruments.
The highest grossing and popular Broadway musical is The Lion King, based on the Disney cartoon of the same name.
There are noticeable differences between the cartoon and the musical - in general, the musical turned out to be more serious and gloomy. For example, in the musical, becoming King, Scar gradually begins to go crazy and insists that Nala become his wife. She, in turn, refuses and decides to go in search of a more fertile land and help.
About this - her party Shadowland, tense and heavy, one of the most emotional songs in the musical. It sounds like "in contrast" with the frivolous and relaxed life of Simba far from the lands of Pride. The song is performed in a mixture of English and Zulu.
Rafiki in the musical is a female role, because the creators noticed that there was no central female role in the original cartoon . The heroine has a very complex and multi-level costume and make-up with many layers and details that help to make her story, not very revealed in the musical, deeper.
A classic musical, where the plot, which is turned inside out, forms the basis of the plot and concept. Legally Blond (Legally Blonde) is a Broadway musical based on a film with Reese Witherspoon with a similar name (which, in turn, was based on Amanda Brown's novel). The film was released in 2001 and was well received by viewers and film critics and nominated for a Golden Globe. In 2007, the premiere of the musical on Broadway took place - the production quickly became financially successful.
This is a very energetic and funny musical with large-scale dance numbers and a great deal of humor, which is also reflected in some stage decisions - for example, the traditional theater role of the “ancient Greek choir”, which serves as a narrator and commentator for events, a group of cheerleader girls plays here. Despite the glamor and apparent lightheadedness, the musical (as well as its heroine) proves an important thesis - people cannot be “judged by the cover”.
Les Misérables - a musical based on Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables". This is one of the most long-running musicals in history - it was first staged on the Parisian stage in 1980. In London, he has been performing since 1985.
Eponina is in love with Marius, who, in turn, is in love with Cosette, the adopted daughter of the protagonist - former convict Jean Valjean. Eponina knows that Marius will never share her feelings, but this does not prevent her from helping him during the revolution. In the end she dies in his arms. Eponina On My Own song is one of the most emotional and beautiful in the musical. There are almost no other actors in this scene - Eponina is in complete isolation, alone with the feelings that cause her almost physical pain.
In the history of the musical many important, beautiful and vivid scenes (although female roles in musicals and in general in the theater are statistically less than the male). However, women's songs and numbers can be very different - we remembered only some of them.
Our cultural and historical rubric - additional reading:
Justin Higuchi CC BY photo
Skylor sisters from Hamilton
Hamilton is one of the loudest American musicals of recent years. The musical received the Grammy Award (best album based on theatrical musical), the Pulitzer Prize as the best dramatic work and eleven Tony statuettes.
This is a story about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, in an atypical Broadway genre - rap in half with R'n'B. Despite the fact that the main characters of Hamilton are predominantly men (politicians, rulers and the military, among whom are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and even King George III), in female characters, Skyler sisters are one of the most memorable songs of the musical.
Like the whole musical, set design and choreography of the number also have their own meaning - the platform revolves around the heroines, symbolizing the active and eventful social life of New York, where the American Revolution begins to mature. The main musical motive of the song is harmony among sisters (vocal and family), although each of them is presented separately. Social norms are reversed (in this the artistic intent of the musical): Skyler sisters at the Hamilton are strong women who historically could not play a large role in the events described, but in the space of the musical take a more proactive stance.
Wicked Elfab's Witch
One of the most long-playing and iconic performances of Broadway was coolly received by critics after the premiere in 2003, but won spectator love. In 2017, Wicked (“Evil”) outstripped “The Phantom of the Opera” and became the second highest grossing musical in the history of Broadway - only “The Lion King” was ahead.
The story of Wicked develops in parallel with the events of the book "The Amazing Wizard of Oz" by Leimen Baum. Two heroines (Elfaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the future Good Witch of the North) grow up, compete with each other, try to improve relations and resist the Magician tyrant.
Defying Gravity by Idina Menzel is one of the iconic songs in the history of the musical.
Elfaba decides to leave Oz, where everyone looks askance at her because of her unusual appearance, and breaks with her past life, the Wizard and his values — this song has become a metaphor for the courage to be yourself in spite of everything and get rid of the opinions of others.
Interestingly, Wicked is one of those musicals, where most of the songs are united by several common leitmotifs, which are transformed depending on the mood and meaning of the song and performed by different instruments.
Nala and Rafiki from The Lion King
The highest grossing and popular Broadway musical is The Lion King, based on the Disney cartoon of the same name.
There are noticeable differences between the cartoon and the musical - in general, the musical turned out to be more serious and gloomy. For example, in the musical, becoming King, Scar gradually begins to go crazy and insists that Nala become his wife. She, in turn, refuses and decides to go in search of a more fertile land and help.
About this - her party Shadowland, tense and heavy, one of the most emotional songs in the musical. It sounds like "in contrast" with the frivolous and relaxed life of Simba far from the lands of Pride. The song is performed in a mixture of English and Zulu.
Rafiki in the musical is a female role, because the creators noticed that there was no central female role in the original cartoon . The heroine has a very complex and multi-level costume and make-up with many layers and details that help to make her story, not very revealed in the musical, deeper.
Elle Woods from Legally Blonde
A classic musical, where the plot, which is turned inside out, forms the basis of the plot and concept. Legally Blond (Legally Blonde) is a Broadway musical based on a film with Reese Witherspoon with a similar name (which, in turn, was based on Amanda Brown's novel). The film was released in 2001 and was well received by viewers and film critics and nominated for a Golden Globe. In 2007, the premiere of the musical on Broadway took place - the production quickly became financially successful.
This is a very energetic and funny musical with large-scale dance numbers and a great deal of humor, which is also reflected in some stage decisions - for example, the traditional theater role of the “ancient Greek choir”, which serves as a narrator and commentator for events, a group of cheerleader girls plays here. Despite the glamor and apparent lightheadedness, the musical (as well as its heroine) proves an important thesis - people cannot be “judged by the cover”.
Eponina from Les Misérables
Les Misérables - a musical based on Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables". This is one of the most long-running musicals in history - it was first staged on the Parisian stage in 1980. In London, he has been performing since 1985.
Eponina is in love with Marius, who, in turn, is in love with Cosette, the adopted daughter of the protagonist - former convict Jean Valjean. Eponina knows that Marius will never share her feelings, but this does not prevent her from helping him during the revolution. In the end she dies in his arms. Eponina On My Own song is one of the most emotional and beautiful in the musical. There are almost no other actors in this scene - Eponina is in complete isolation, alone with the feelings that cause her almost physical pain.
In the history of the musical many important, beautiful and vivid scenes (although female roles in musicals and in general in the theater are statistically less than the male). However, women's songs and numbers can be very different - we remembered only some of them.
Our cultural and historical rubric - additional reading:
- "Non-artistic" reading: memoirs, essays and music studies
- “Sound in the Museum” - industrial design and creative experiments
- Weekend reading: 5 books about music and musicians
- Forgotten Formats: Flexible Records
- “Innovative Conservatism”: The History of Bang & Olufsen
- “Minute Sound Studies”: on the cultural sense of sound
- "Wall": remember the legendary album Pink Floyd