What are the advantages and disadvantages of an original story? Feel free to reference other jukebox musicals like Mamma Mia!

This week, we’re looking at a relatively new form of musical theater, the jukebox musical. While the musical has always included song and dance revues and compilation shows, the jukebox musical is a new genre that takes previously produced music by a well-known artist – Carole King, the Four Seasons, Cher, etc. – and may do one of two things – create an original story that interpolates an artist’s songs – as in Mamma Mia! or Moulin Rouge – or tell the story of the artist herself through her own music. In the reading, Millie Taylor refers to this as the bio-musical, using Jersey Boys as her case study. Beautiful is also a bio-musical, telling the story of Carole King’s rise to singing and songwriting fame. Do you think the bio-musical is the best form for using previously recorded music in a show? Or would you prefer an original story? What do you think is the advantage of the bio-musical? Does it have disadvantages? What are the advantages and disadvantages of an original story? Feel free to reference other jukebox musicals like Mamma Mia!, Jagged Little Pill or Ain’t Too Proud to Beg if you are familiar with them. Were you familiar with the music of Carole King before listening to the musical? If so, what did you think about the musical’s interpretation of her songs? Do you know Cher’s music and what did you think about the Tony Awards performance? Should jukebox musicals be concerned with accurately presenting the music of the artist they are representing or should jukebox musicals reinterpret popular music?These questions are, of course, only suggestions. Please feel free to write your own response as the material moves you.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6FitKcf5Y8&feature=youtu.be