The musical I have chosen is Mary Poppins.

Exposition/basic summary:

After a recent resignation, two children receive a new nanny to look after them
while their father is busy. This nanny (Mary Poppins) is different to any other nanny
they’ve ever had before, taking them on fun adventures with her magical ways.
Once their parents have learned to get along with them, and know how to have
fun, Mary Poppins goes back to wherever she came from, her job being done.

Rising action:

After the first adventure in the chalk, the dad is angry and upset at Mary Poppins
irresponsibility. He isn’t happy, and threatens to fire her. They end up going on an
outing, and she manages to somewhat convince him not to fire her, and he starts
to focus on his children more (because of the outing).

Climax:

George (the dad) is fired but doesn’t care, because he’s learned that there’s more
to life than money, and his job. He is willing to finally focus more on his children.
He also goes slightly crazy, repeating the weird phrase introduced by Mary
Poppins, supercalifragilisticexpealidocious, before laughing uncontrollably. It
seems he has finally given in to her way of life.

Falling action

Life gets better with the family, and they do more things together. They have slowly
learnt what it’s like to spend beneficial time together. One of the main things they
do is fly a kite in the park as a family. Everything is much better.

Resolution

Mary Poppins leaves again, now that her job is done. The problem is solved, and
the parents (predominately the father) have learned to get along better with their
children. They don’t need her anymore. Mary Poppins is only somewhere when
she is needed, and leaves when those in need have learnt to do things right
without her help.

4 labeled songs

Comedy song: I love to laugh

I love to laugh is a song with fairly basic lyrics, although it is one of the more
melodically complex songs, and one of the ones more pleasant to listen to. A
comedy song is meant to be a song that is funny, doesn’t really involve the whole
cast with any energetic dancing, and doesn’t really contribute much to the plot.
Another way it’s fairly clear it’s a comedy song, is the lyrics. The lyrics are about
laughter, and literally say ‘ I love to laugh, aloud and long and clear, I love to laugh,
it’s getting worse every year’.

Character song: The life I lead

The life I lead is sung by the father, George Banks. This song, as the name
suggests, gives us some insight on the personality and life of his character. The
lyrics even inform us of this character’s daily schedule. For example, ‘I run my
home precisely on schedule, at 6:01, I march through my door, my slippers, sherry,
and pipe are due at 6:02, consistent is the life I lead!’.

Rhythmic song/production number: Step in time

Step in time fits the definition of both a rhythmic song and a production number
(as they are very similar). It is definitely a large ensemble song, as almost all the
main characters are featured in it, along with some supporting characters. There
are large dance sections, and actually, the lyrics and song itself isn’t that
complicated. The dance is a major feature in this. It is also energetic, with a 4/4
time signature and fast tempo.

Action song (sort of): The perfect nanny

The perfect nanny was as close as I could get to an action song, and does have
some of the necessary features. An action song is meant to develop the plot, and
in a way, this does. The perfect nanny is sung by the two children who are now
looking for a new nanny. The lyrics within the song show what they’re looking for,
and sort of show where the plot is heading. In the lyrics, it says the requirements
for the children’s new nanny, as well as hinting at some of the things that will come
further in the movie. ‘Wanted a nanny for two adorable children, if you want this
choice position, have a cheery disposition rosy cheeks, no warts! Play games, all
sort,’. From the lyrics, we would now know they wanted a happy, beautiful nanny,
who willingly played games with them (which Mary Poppins did later in the movie,
particularly with spoonful of sugar, where she mentions ‘the job’s a game’).

Characters & Motifs

Note: I wasn’t able to find all the time stamps. I only have the ones from early in
the movie, as the attachment was taken off SEQTA

The instrumental tune of Supercalifragilistic would be the motif for Mary Poppins. It
is first played when you first see her character on screen at the start (2:11) and is
then sung by her later on. Supercalifragilistic is in 4/4 and has a fast tempo,
representing the upbeat feel of the song. The song shows her craziness, and when
you hear it playing, you can assume she is
somewhere nearby.

A second motif would be the first set of

notes in the two different Chim Chim
Cheree songs (one at around 3:18, not sure
exactly when the other one is because the
movie attachment was taken off SEQTA).
Definitely within the first half of the movie
though). There are two different versions of Chim Chim Cheree, both introduced by
the same notes (I’ll add a picture). Chim Chim Cheree is in the time signature of
3/4. The notes tell you that the chimney sweep is on screen, or the other
characters are doing something with him/relevant to him.

Motif extra:

This is sort of a motif, and sort of not. It was the same word with the same intent
but said by two different characters. Although it was still relevant to the original
character, and connected the later character to the original.

The word supercalifragilistic is said originally by Mary Poppins, when she says it is
a word that can be exclaimed when you’ve got nothing else to say. Later on in the
movie, George says supercalifragilistic when asked if he has anything to say (after
he’s been fired). By saying this, it seems to be him accepting Mary Poppins beliefs,
and the word supercalifragilistic is sort of the confirmation of being on Mary
Poppins side. Supercalifragilistic being repeated on multiple occasions by multiple
people is sort of a motif.?