The Immortal Journey

Composing for a musical is more than just writing songs; it's storytelling through sound. In a gothic musical like Immortal, the music must evoke mystery, romance, and the eternal struggle of the soul.

1. Theme and Character Motif

Every major character should have a musical signature, a recurring motif that evolves with their journey. In Immortal,

• Phineas’ (the hunter) melodies center around his “I want” song – Where Are You Hiding
• Lucas (the vampire) utilizes the harpsichord and minor keys (haunting sounds)
• Justine’s sound (the romantic lead) is a harp – in contrast to the metallic, staid sound of the harpsichord – and her themes are hopeful, bright, ethereal
• Chorus numbers are whimsical, even when dark
• Richard (a baron/Justine’s father) enters with pomp
• Sophia (French maid) is teasing

2. The Power of the Ballad

Fans of Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera know that powerful ballads define a show. But how do we build them?

Start with the character. What is it they want – their deepest desire? What emotion is at the heart of that desire? That is where you start. Focus on that emotion. Feel it. Listen to what your heart sings when you experience the extremes.

3. Dramatic Orchestration

Modern Broadway hits like Wicked use a blend of traditional orchestral sounds with contemporary elements. For Immortal, we utilize sounds of the time period (harpsichord, orchestra) and layer in bass and distortion guitar for intense, dark, or epic moments. Drama requires extremes – a contrast of high and low pitches to subconsciously communicate massive emotions, light notes and whimsical instruments for playfulness, etc. The instrument voices should compliment the mood.

Whether you are a seasoned composer or an aspiring writer for musical theatre, the key is to stay true to the story's heart. Stay tuned for more updates on our road to Broadway!