{{Short description|Form of internet theatrical performance}} A '''zoomsical''', which is a portmanteau of the words "Zoom" and "musical", is a form of theatrical performance that combines dialogue, music and lyrics that is then performed, either live or recorded, for an online audience via a video conferencing platform like Zoom.
Zoomsicals can be either original works or adaptations of existing stage musicals. The zoomsical arose in 2020 as a response to the social distancing guidelines put in place in many countries to stem the spread of COVID-19. These guidelines made it impossible for many theatre companies to continue their planned seasons of rehearsals and performances, and many were cancelled.<ref name="zoomsical02">Michael Paulson, ''The New York Times'' [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/theater/oregon-shakespeare-festival-canceled-virus.html] "Spring Culture Fell to Virus. In Oregon, Summer Theater Now Succumbs", 27 March 2020</ref> The zoomsical emerged from the necessity for musical theatre performances that could adhere to physical distancing guidelines, yet also maintain a venue for artistic self expression. Many theatre companies that produce stage musicals, having pivoted away from their live seasons, began experimenting with live streaming video platforms <ref name="zoomsical03">Ben Brantley, Jesse Green and Maya Phillips, The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/08/theater/streaming-theater-experiments.html] "This Is Theater in 2020. Will It Last? Should It?", 08 July 2020</ref> as a way to continue to bring new works to audiences during lockdown.
Published on 5 May 2020 by Music Theatre International,<ref name="zoomsical04">Music Theatre International [https://www.mtishows.com/news/available-may-5-the-big-one-oh-online-edition/] "Available May 5th: The Big One-Oh: Online Edition!", 01 May 2020</ref> the first known zoomsical is an adaptation of the Theatre for Young Audiences production of ''The Big One-Oh!'' by Academy Award winning author Dean Pitchford. It features music by Doug Besterman, lyrics by Pitchford, and a book by Timothy Allen McDonald.
Composer, lyricist and director Haddon Kime of Atlanta is credited with creating the first original zoomsical.<ref name="zoomsical05">Brutscher, Fiona (1 October 2020). [https://www.amexessentials.com/top-online-theatre-shows-experiences-virtual-theatre-platforms/ "19 Unmissable Online Theatre Experiences"]. ''American Express Essentials''.</ref> His zoomsical, produced and premiered by Out of Hand Theater, is entitled ''LAG: A Zoomsical Comedy'', and premiered 30 May 2020 simultaneously on Zoom and YouTube.<ref name="zoomsical06">Arts ATL [https://www.artsatl.org/qa-quarantine-cant-stop-the-beat-of-haddon-kime-and-his-original-zoom-musical/] "Q&A: Quarantine can’t stop the beat of Haddon Kime and his original Zoom musical", 28 May 2020</ref> It has subsequently been published by composer Roger Bean's publishing company, Stage Rights International.<ref name="zoomsical07">Stage Rights [https://www.stagerights.com/allshows/lag-a-zoomsical-comedy/] "LAG: A Zoomsical Comedy"</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://zoomsical.com/ LAG: A Zoomsical Comedy website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zoomsical}} Category:Musical theatre