Monday 11 February 2013

West Side Story - Questions and Task

As we watch this film, pay particular attention to how the musical numbers are used to reveal character, establish situations, move the plot forward, etc.

Remember that the questions are due on Wednesday, February 13--you will have them back in time for Valentine's Day!



ADA 3M/4M                                                      February 8, 2013

 
Theatre Genres:  Reflections of Society and Culture


 MUSICAL THEATRE

The example of musical theatre we are using for this unit is West Side Story, which won numerous awards as a Broadway Musical and later as a Hollywood film.  While many musicals are considered lighter entertainment, West Side Story deals with serious issues.


  1. List three of the things the opening dance sequences establish for the audience as the film version begins.  (K/U:  3 marks)

  1. Read the lyrics to “When You’re a Jet”.  According to this song, why do boys join gangs?  (K/U: 2 marks)

  1. The Puerto Ricans discuss why they came to America and whether it’s better for them in the ‘land of opportunity’ or ‘back there’.  At one point, Anita calls the leader of the Jets a ‘polack’, while her lover is a ‘spic’—and complains that people of any other ethnic background are accepted as Americans while they are not.  What does this show of American society at that time?  From you perspective and experience, has this shifted/changed?  Explain your viewpoint, citing the tv, movies, theatre and/or other media sources upon which it is based.  (I – 5 marks)
 
  1. “Officer Krupke”  is a favourite song from this musical.  In a few short verses, it deals with the issue and problems of juvenile delinquency.  What social agencies/services/institutions does it cover?  Does it blame, explain, or simply shine a light onto the issue to make us think?  (I – 5 marks)

  1. Creative Choices:  Pick A or B:  Rubrics for each course to follow—although you are choosing from the same options, your evaluation is based on the individual course expectations.  J

A.    Imagine you are developing a musical for a Romeo-and-Juliet story set in Dryden High School.  Write a song lyric that establishes a situation or explores a problem central to your version of the story.   (You may wish to set it to one of the West Side Story tunes for optimal effect….or another show-tune melody.)


B.     Write a script for a two character scene that could be considered ‘missing’ from West Side Story.  It can be set prior to, during, or after the events of the existing musical.  It should reveal character and/or develop situation.  Write it in proper script format.

 

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