Facebook: Teen Voices @ TFP
By Sylvia Zdunek
Valley Voices Staff Writer
On-screen musicals have come a long way since “The Jazz Singer.”
In the 83 years since Al Jolson belted “Blue Skies,” musicals have held their popularity with flashing lights, intricately coordinated dance numbers and catchy songs.
And they continue to spark the interest of teens today. Especially on television.
“I have always really liked stage productions,” said Melissa Brunvoll, a senior at Ooltewah High School, “but I guess TV and movies kind of sparked a stronger interest because it was around me more.”
From “one-episode wonders” like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s” “Once More With Feeling” or “How I Met Your Mother’s” “Girls Versus Suits” episode to musically focused shows like “Glee,” musicals continue to light up the small screen.
Fox’s popular series, which premiered in 2009, centers on students in a struggling diversity-rich Glee Club trying to make it to sectionals while attempting to survive high school. “Glee” was named Best Television Series/Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globe Awards last month.
Another small-screen phenomenon, “High School Musical,” sparked both small-screen and big-screen sequels, as well as stage adaptations and mass merchandising.
“I have always had more interest in stage musicals; I think they’re better,” said Will McPherson, an Ooltewah High School junior. “But I think other people have definitely become more interested in musicals because of film.”
The complexity and spectacle of musicals make watching them a unique experience.
“Because it’s not realistic, you can get away with giant costumes and tons of people doing dance numbers,” said Casey Jackson, a theater teacher at Ooltewah High.
With the popularity of on-screen musicals, are today’s teenagers being pulled away from the stage? Or brought back?
“I prefer onstage musicals. Definitely,” said Andrea Bucci, a senior at Notre Dame High School. “The first one I saw was ‘Hairspray’ in D.C., and I loved it.”
Hannah Yancey loves her musicals no matter how she gets them.
“There’s an element about musicals that makes me feel involved with the plot,” said the Central High School senior. “Maybe it’s the fact that I can sing along. It makes me feel like I’m part of the cast.”
Sylvia Zdunek is a student at Ooltewah High School.