Musical Theatre Song: A Comprehensive Course in Selection, Preparation, and Presentation for the Modern Performer

by Stephen Purdy

Overview

Musical Theatre Song is a handbook for musical theatre performers, providing them with the wide-ranging skill set they need for success in today's competitive musical theatre environment. Breaking down the process into knowing how to select your song material based upon your individuality and how to prepare and perform it in a manner that best highlights your attributes, Stephen Purdy provides a succinct and personalized trajectory toward presentation, taking the reader through a series of challenges that is designed to evoke original, personal and vibrant song performances.

Written by renowned Broadway and West End vocal and audition coach Stephen Purdy, Musical Theatre Song is a must-have guide for all performers who are looking to succeed in the musical theatre industry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472566560
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/25/2016
Series:	Performance Books
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Stephen Purdy has coached hundreds of singing actors and his clients have been cast in many major musicals of the last decade including Wicked, Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, Memphis, Hairspray, and more. He is presently on the voice faculty of Marymount Manhattan College, New York City, and has taught and given masterclasses at universities and theatre festivals throughout the United States and internationally. He has worked extensively both on and off-Broadway, toured the US with multiple shows, and spent nearly five years playing and conducting musical theatre throughout Europe.

Table of Contents

Preface


Section I: Song Selection
Chapter 1: Introduction to Song Selection and Historical Context: What You Should Know and Why You Should Care
Chapter 2: Song Selection for Singing Actors: The Philosophical – What to Sing and Where to Find it
Chapter 3: The Song is You: Song Selection for Singing Actors – The Practical

Section II: Song Preparation
Chapter 4: Introduction to Song Preparation
Chapter 5: Off the Table and Off the Page: Techniques for Playability
Chapter 6: A Music and Musical Theatre Term Lexicon
Chapter 7: Coaching Songs Through with Singing Actors

Section III: Song Presentation
Chapter 8: Your Turn at Bat, Sir.

Editorial Reviews

Purdy guides the singer/performer through a well-conceived series of chapters, moving from a basic understanding of the history of the genre, to choosing a song repertoire and then performing/acting the song. It is obvious that Purdy's experiences in professional musical theatre have given him a strong perspective on the art, which he shares with the performer in a logical and well-designed fashion … The journey that Purdy takes the reader on, from song selection, through song preparation, to song performance and audition, is comprehensive and filled with personal anecdotes that bring the ride to life. With the new musical theatre performer in mind, Stephen Purdy has given a guidebook and source for information that will also inform the seasoned performer or instructor moving in a logical timeline approach to the process … The ideas Purdy puts forth in preparing the song move from in-depth table or paper work, through an easy to process performance. And finally, the information he puts forth on the business side is invaluable, stemming from a long personal experience in all aspects of musical theatre. Musical Theatre Song by Stephen Purdy is a book that will aid both the performer and the coach in preparing for the world outside of the studio.” —Voice & Speech Review

“With its combination of historicity and practicality, Musical Theatre Song … will be of interest to both educators and performers.” —Journal of American Drama and Theatre

“Dramatic stage singers today are more hard-pressed than ever to deliver original, truthful and personal performances with bravura. Stephen Purdy's new text contains insightful, invaluable wisdom that gives modern stage performers the tools and the wherewithal to do this in a way that nurtures their individuality and fosters their artistry” —Placido Domingo

“It's about time that somebody put a real, relevant text out there about theatre song preparation and choice. As a music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator of many "rock" and "pop" Broadway, West End and Internationally produced musicals I'm extremely sensitive in the casting process to a singer's ability to execute story-based song performance and "act" the song. This is in addition to having chosen material that works for them personally. Purdy's knockout book gives modern musical theatre performers the essential ingredients they need to accomplish these things and so much else.” —Ethan Popp, Grammy-nominated producer and Tony-nominated orchestrator

“Purdy offers Musical Theatre Song as a guide to the singing actor in the selection, preparation, and presentation of audition material … Anyone preparing for an audition in the music theater arena will find this book invaluable.” —NATS Journal of Singing

“Purdy's book serves as an excellent companion on the road to success in the audition room … the sections in which he offers practical advice, tricks of the trade, and exercises make the book a useful guide for students of musical theatre, as well as musical theatre practitioners and teachers … an excellent tool for classroom use … Purdy's unique perspective and experience lend Musical Theatre Song a level of authority and insight that make it an excellent addition to any musical theatre student's, teacher's, or practitioner's library.” —Theatre Topics

From the Publisher

It's about time that somebody put a real, relevant text out there about theatre song preparation and choice. As a music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator of many "rock" and "pop" Broadway, West End and Internationally produced musicals I'm extremely sensitive in the casting process to a singer's ability to execute story-based song performance and "act" the song. This is in addition to having chosen material that works for them personally. Purdy's knockout book gives modern musical theatre performers the essential ingredients they need to accomplish these things and so much else.

Grammy-nominated producer and Tony-nominated orche Ethan Popp

It's about time that somebody put a real, relevant text out there about theatre song preparation and choice. As a music supervisor, arranger and orchestrator of many "rock" and "pop" Broadway, West End and Internationally produced musicals I'm extremely sensitive in the casting process to a singer's ability to execute story-based song performance and "act" the song. This is in addition to having chosen material that works for them personally. Purdy's knockout book gives modern musical theatre performers the essential ingredients they need to accomplish these things and so much else.

Ethan Popp

Dramatic stage singers today are more hard-pressed than ever to deliver original, truthful and personal performances with bravura. Stephen Purdy's new text contains insightful, invaluable wisdom that gives modern stage performers the tools and the wherewithal to do this in a way that nurtures their individuality and fosters their artistry

Placido Domingo