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Building Blocks
A series of posts about the specific types of songs and plot structure that together make up the classic format of a musical.


Dispensing with the Sexy Song and Dance
A bit of burlesque is standard fare in a Broadway show, because sex sells and keeps the audience awake. But is this device worth the price?
Rebecca Burnham
Mar 67 min read
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The Song That Plays Hard to Get
Sky Masterson pursues Sarah Brown with "I'll Know" Not every musical tells a love story. But a huge number of successful ones do. This is...
Rebecca Burnham
Jan 308 min read
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"I Want": Making the Story Matter
Elphaba sings "The Wizard and I" While the opening numbers of a musical give us a taste of what’s coming and get us oriented to the world...
Rebecca Burnham
Jan 166 min read
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Pulling the Audience Onboard
Opening of The Music Man by the Washington Park Playhouse in Albany, NY This is the first post in my Building Blocks of a Musical series,...
Rebecca Burnham
Jan 87 min read
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Why We Should Pay Attention to the Pattern For a Musical
Finding a solid pattern is the first step to a newbie making an impressive cake How does one create a great musical? That’s a question...
Rebecca Burnham
Jan 16 min read
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