Overview
Synopsis
Fame the Musical follows the highs and lows of the final class of New York City's illustrious High School for the Performing Arts from their first year in 1980 to their graduation in 1984. It tells the story of several of the students, depicting their struggles, triumphs and tempestuous relationships with sincerity and dramatic effect. We see their struggles with ambition, fame, and self-confidence through the eyes of students such as Carmen, the ambitious dancer obsessed with fame, serious actor Nick, overweight dancer Mabel, and the talented dancer Tyrone, who struggles desperately with dyslexia. The show does not shy away from complex issues, such as racial prejudice, drug abuse, and sexual exploitation, as the young performers explore the realities of striving for a career in showbusiness.
Fame the Musical is a worldwide success that continues to be performed by growing generations of young performers. It provides a unique opportunity to display a diverse range of talents on the one stage, including dancing, singing, acting, rapping and musicianship.
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Context
Based on the phenomenally successful 1980 film, Fame the Musical premiered in Miami, Florida in 1988. It was developed by the film’s producer, David De Silva, and follows a darker, grittier storyline than the original movie, ending with the fatal overdose of the one of the main characters, Carmen Diaz. Aside from the title song, “Fame”, the musical has a completely new score and has been produced/translated all over the world in various different countries, including Mexico, Germany, France,
to read the context for Fame and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
As the curtain rises, older teenagers from across New York City are clutching envelopes, desperate to be accepted into the NYC High School of Performing Arts (“I Pray I Make P.A”). As the successful students make their presence known, Miss Sherman, the English teacher, tells the new students that it will be tough to succeed at the prestigious performing arts school (“Hard Work”). One by one, their introductory classes begin. Music students Schlomo, Goody, and Lambchops decide
to read the plot for Fame and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
Showing 8 of 15 characters
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Fame.
Showing 8 of 43 portrayals
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Songs
Act One
Pray I Make P.A. – Ensemble
*Hard Work – Ensemble
I Want to Make Magic – Nick
*Can’t Keep It Down – Joe, Students
*Tyrone’s Rap – Tyrone
*There She Goes! /Fame – Carmen, Students
Let’s Play a Love Scene -Serena
Bring on Tomorrow - Schlomo, Carmen
Teacher’s Argument – Miss Bell, Miss Sherman Hard Work [reprise] - Ensemble
Act Two
*I Want to Make Magic / There She Goes (Reprise) – Nick and Company
Mabel’s Prayer – Mabel, Students
Think of Meryl Streep – Serena
*Dancin’ on the Sidewalk – Tyrone, Students
These Are My Children – Miss Sherman
In L.A. – Carmen
Let’s Play a Love Scene (Reprise) – Nick and Serena
Bring on Tomorrow (Reprise) – Schlomo, Students
*Finale: Hard Work/Fame (Reprise) – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Key Terms
An adaptation is a reworking of a story from one medium or cultural context into another, such as turning a novel into a play or updating a classic play’s setting. Adaptations often reinterpret themes, characters, and style for new audiences. They can range from faithful recreations to bold reimaginings.
A classical dance form used in theatre for expressive movement, storytelling, and interdisciplinary performance.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A spoken rhythmic vocal style incorporated into modern musicals and theatre to convey energy, storytelling, or protest.
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher