Ruth Moreno Calderón Theater Appreciation 100 Sheldon Mba October 16, 2019 Moreno 1

Ruth Moreno Calderón
Theater Appreciation 100

Sheldon Mba
October 16, 2019
Moreno 1
All musical theatre shows are different because of the story that each one is trying to tell. In
this specifically musical all elements of design are used but there is one of them that is
necessary for this show, it is Color, you can find color in costumes, scenes, lights... Color
brings texture in each character, movement and shapes, without this particular element this
musical could not be the same.
For example, at the beginning Shrek is receiving advice from his parents, his particular
green colour helps to recognize his face because he is backwards, helping to the audience to
discover the beginning of the story.
As he grows up, his color remains with a different texture (rinks, less happy...) but where he
lives and all of the swamp where he must walk brings brightness because of the different kind
of colors that appears in the scenes.
As the musical continues, the music lyrics goes with the big range of colors appearing in
each scene. This is the moment where I start to think what is the difference between Opera
and Musical theater.
Both have singers, a story tell by songs and speeches, both have characters, both includes all
the elements of design. For example, The Magic Flute of W. A. Mozart or Puccini from Verdi
where also you can find drama, comedy, sadness but most important you can find an
orchestra making music for the story.
My question is, why both have different names but at the end their essence is the same?
While I was watching Shrek there was a scene that could be perfectly remove and put it in
some Monteverdi or Rossini Opera's. The scene was when the princess is about to be free
from the castle, they introduce a child with a particular tone of voice singing first, then to
make the age transition, they introduced a young girl with a dark soprano coloratura and then
Sheldon Mba
October 16, 2019
Moreno 2
finally, they introduce to one of the main character, Princess Fiona, singing with a lighter
soprano quality voice.
The way of how color works in terms of brightness, texture and shape in this scene makes it
perfect to be an Aria in some opera as I wrote above, also I have been trying to do some
research to find the difference between these two genres of music.
Shrek has several kinds of scenes that I found unnecessary or it could be change with an
interesting dialogue that fits most of all ages. For example when Shrek meets Dunky the
dialogue could be more interesting or the music arrangement could substitute the dialogue
creating a different environment for the moment.
Another scene that I would prefer in a different kind of scene or scenario was the act when
Fiona is rescued and they are trying to scale from the dragon and the castle but the way of
how Fiona breaks the ice with the audience is singing while Shrek and Dunky are fighting for
their lifes, that was ok but maybe Fiona could be more present with the other characters.
Color is used in a such way that is impossible to loose the attention to the play. For example,
there is a variety of colors in Lord scenes including the soldiers, music was use as a dialogue
between the characters, orchestra and the audience.
The way that the set is use with the mirror scene works perfect for clot and texture, also
movement can be notice with the kind of shapes that are creating with black and white lights.
This was one of my favourite scenes because you can almost find all of the elements helping
to bring suspense and brightness.
The way of how they recreate each scene gives the sensation of calm and it looks like if
everything works together as a puzzle. Orchestra brings color with the kind of dynamics and
chords texture with the kind of I instruments they are using.

Sheldon Mba
October 16, 2019
Moreno 3
For example, flutes brings brightness, clarinets brings the softness with bassoons and French
horns, the strings works as the mattress of the entire set, they bring texture and movement.
Without the Orchestra the show could not have the same essence.
As conclusion, this particular show works with all elements of design, the smooth way of
how the entire cast introduces it gives to the audience a different kind of experience. Also, I
think that Orchestra is another character, it is necessary to listen what the orchestra is playing
because is another kind of dialogue, music gives life to the show.

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Ruth Moreno Calderón

Theater Appreciation 100

musical could not be the same.

discover the beginning of the story.

of colors that appears in the scenes.

and Musical theater.

orchestra making music for the story.

soprano quality voice.

research to find the difference between these two genres of music.

creating a different environment for the moment.

between the characters, orchestra and the audience.

to bring suspense and brightness.

chords texture with the kind of I instruments they are using.

because is another kind of dialogue, music gives life to the show.

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