Posted: 12/17/15 at 8:34am
I was listening to the Hamilton soundtrack and heard a lot of repeating musical themes for different characters. Kind of like in Les Miserables. How they have those reoccurring songs for certain people. Was wondering what other musicals have done this. Haven't heard any other musicals do this except these two. Maybe West Side Story.
Posted: 12/17/15 at 10:41am
1) Cast recording
2) There's actually a great chapter in this book all about the motifs in LM.
http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-West-Side-Story-Directors/dp/0435086995/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Posted: 12/17/15 at 10:55am
It's the same composer, but Miss Saigon does this.
I may be wrong, but I think Candide did it as well.
Into the Woods certainly does...
Posted: 12/17/15 at 10:57am
Sondheim is brilliant with his leitmotifs, although they are more subtle. Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods etc, are great examples of shows with themes you can spot throughout.
Andrew Lloyd Webber is also a fan of the technique.
It's funny, the three shows you mentioned, Les Miz, Hamilton, and WSS all have an Act 1 closer with multiple themes playing over each other.
