Welcome to the Musicals Thread, the Avocado’s space for anything and everything related to musical theatre! Every month I’ll post a discussion prompt, but please feel free to comment on other topics, from new discoveries to old favorites. If you have ideas for future prompts or would like to write a feature for the thread, let me know!
Today’s discussion prompt is based on a suggestion from J. Silence, MX. Thank you!
In comparison to sung or spoken words, dance can be a subtler but just as powerful means of expression in musical theatre. On a technical level alone, ensemble numbers pack an extra punch – the planning and practice involved to get all those bodies to match or complement each other in time with the music. On a narrative level, they can illustrate the prevailing character of a setting – how its people move reflects their attitudes and circumstances, the kind of world we’ll be visiting for the next 2-3 hours. They may all move as one, or distinct groups or individuals within the community might each get their few bars in center stage before all are united for the final chorus. What are your favorite types/examples of ensemble dance numbers?
The overall mood of “Side by Side by Side/What Would We Do Without You?” from Company is one of frenzied fun, as Bobby and his friends use each other to dance through life, mindless and careless, to quote a loosely similar number from Wicked. The greater truths they’re ignoring seep through, however, as the married couples within the group take turns giving brief duet performances. Each husband dances a few steps and then prompts his wife to do the same. In one production I saw, the brusque Joanne answered her husband Larry with the bare minimum of participation, one reluctant stamp of her foot. That’s more than can be said for the perennial bachelor Bobby, though, who gets caught up in the energy of the number, dances his part, and is taken aback when he realizes he’s gesturing to no one. Such discomfort isn’t why these friends keep company, though, so they sweep him into a rousing finish.