Audience Quote by Howard Ashman
“In almost every musical ever written, there's a place that's usually about the third song of the evening - sometimes it's the second, sometimes it's the fourth, but it's quite early - and the leading lady usually sits down on something; sometimes it's a tree stump in Brigadoon, sometimes it's under the pillars of Covent Garden in My Fair Lady, or it's a trash can in Little Shop of Horrors... but the leading lady sits down on something and sings about what she wants in life. And the audience falls in love with her and then roots for her to get it for the rest of the night.”
About This Quote
In many musicals, a female lead sings early about her desires, gaining audience support for her journey.
In simple terms: Early songs reveal a heroine’s wishes.
Key Takeaway
Use early storytelling to build audience empathy.
Themes
musical theatre
character
desire
Mood
creative
engaging
Type
theatrical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- opening numbers
- character introductions
- plot development
Key Concepts
narrative structure
empathy building
Questions to Reflect On
- Why place desire songs early?
- How does this shape audience expectations?
A Different Perspective
Not all shows follow this pattern.
