Another one is 'The Rocky Horror Show'. It has elements of horror and the strange with its transvestite scientist and other out - there characters. The musical is known for its interactive performances and its unique blend of horror, comedy, and rock - and - roll music that has made it a cult classic.
They use music, of course. In 'Sweeney Todd', the music is often in minor keys which gives an immediate sense of unease. The lyrics are also filled with dark themes, like revenge and murder. The set design is important too. Dark, dingy sets with lots of shadows can make the audience feel like they're in a spooky place.
These musicals can be very adaptable in terms of staging. Because they come from short stories, they can be presented in a variety of ways. They can be big and elaborate like 'Sweeney Todd' with its large sets and complex choreography, or they can be more simple and intimate like some small - scale productions of 'The Secret Garden'. The music also has the ability to expand on the emotions that might only be hinted at in the short story. For instance, the loneliness of the girl in 'The Secret Garden' is much more palpable in the musical through the sad and longing melodies.
The structure of slasher horror stories involves several aspects. Firstly, there is an introduction of the setting, which is usually a place that can be easily cut off from the outside world, like an old asylum. Then, the characters are introduced, mainly the victims and the antagonist - the slasher. The slasher often has a backstory that might be hinted at during the story, which adds to the mystery. As the story progresses, the slasher starts to pick off the victims one by one, creating more and more tension. There are often false scares and jump - cuts to keep the audience on edge. Finally, there's a climax where the remaining characters try to fight back or escape from the slasher, and the story concludes with either their success or failure, leaving the audience with a sense of relief or dread depending on the outcome.
One is 'Hamilton'. It tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Another is 'Jersey Boys', which is based on the story of the Four Seasons, a famous American rock and roll band. And 'Evita' is also a well - known musical based on the life of Eva Perón, an important figure in Argentine history.
Musicals based on graphic novels often have a very distinct visual style that they inherit from the source material. For example, the set designs might be more stylized compared to traditional musicals.