SETH DECONSTRUCTS: Musical Theatre Buttons

Seth Rudetsky deconstructs all of your favorite musical theatre buttons. The “button” is probably the most well-known (and classic) musical theatre ending-that big note on the final downbeat of a song used to close the tune neatly and completely. The opening of a song sets the tone, but from fade-outs to buttons the orchestral endings determine the audience’s reaction.

[@nelson8970]

Really love how passionate u r in this video! You grow my love for musical theatre

[@christianwritesmusic]

"Sandy I thought you went back to australia"

[@genevitale2626]

I actually laughed out loud!

[@TLK9419]

I kinda like the ending of Nobody’s Side… reminds me of a lot of ALW songs especially from Joseph. Also fits with the ABBA style and still retains a “musical-theatre” feel without being too over-the-top sounding.

[@chocolatesouljah]

I'm so happy for a new term I can use with my musical theatre students "sassy syncopation"

[@kinglaurac]

I would literally watch Seth deconstruct anything

[@lindaandcara]

This video is so full of sassafras it cracks me up. Seth, you are genius.

[@GABE98godislove]

These are great. Keep them coming!

[@barbaraarmy3974]

I knew what you meant without spelling “ r i t a r d “ Thanks for this

[@marsim84]

Great video and very informative. Your enthusiasm and passion is lovely to see.

[@JonMeFree]

This is amazing! Thank you, Seth and Playbill!

[@AvalonMorley]

Personally, I like the end to "If I Were a Bell." So, sue me! (Maybe I'm just used to it.) You certainly improved that CHESS ending, with Ms. Murney's riffing. And that WAR PAINT example is killer! Got to get that recording.

[@oober349]

Orchestration at the end of If I Were A Bell is awesome, has a vibe I associate with big bands like Eckstine’s

[@TomIdelson]

Im #OBSESSED with him!!!!!

[@ethereal.pi.ratttttttt.e6497]

i thought the brick wall was real until he started dancing

[@durellgriffin3399]

Lol same!

[@brianna1181]

Love thisssss 💕💕

[@megangrasselli4613]

When he plays air violin I about died.

[@sacredlunatic]

Still got it! Two years later.

[@jasonc.parker4644]

I think the ending for "If I Were A Bell" is absolutely perfect because it compliments the story and the action and the characters so well. If you don't know the story, at this point Sarah and Sky are in Havana, and she's trying to seduce him after getting drunk. At the end of the song, she is suppose to fall into his arms. It's this very tender moment between the two characters. If they had gone for a "splash" ending, where they freeze, wait for the applause, and then do the fall, it breaks the momentum. If they were to have her fall on the button, it would seem too abrupt. If they were to have a brassier ending, it ruins the tenderness of the moment. Instead, they chose to mirror the action on stage, and have the orchestra sort of fall away at the end. In my experience, it has never caused the audience not to applaud, and even if they don't, is that really the most important thing?

[@johnpickford4222]

Jason C. Parker: You’ve got the story wrong: After taking her to Cuba to win a bet, orders milk spiced with rum to loosen her up for romance. He’s trying to seduce her, not the other way around. Do the women you date spice your drink to seduce you when you take them out?

[@hunterreed1010]

Omg I love this video!

[@saschahoupt6177]

I agree about the war paint ending. Riveting.

[@justingarde181]

Please do another video talking about more buttons!

[@dannymcdougallphd]

Love the Runaways reference. Where *do* people go ... when they ran-a-way?

[@eliseterry2092]

I really proud of myself that after the first 2 "sassy-brassy" endings, I just KNEW the third would be Hello, Dolly!

[@coolguyhino92]

...I high key love 'stingers'

[@coolguyhino92]

6:24 Not just Broadway, but a *LOT* of Jazz, as well.

[@TomBacchus]

That last bit! LOL

[@BEE-mp9vk]

Has anyone ever heard the whistling at the end of Tonight on the OBC of West Side Story?

[@Itstonytime77]

Ragtime has the best endings cause every song is like a finale!

[@jenvorocket]

You should teach music theory right here on KZbin. You make it fun!

[@stvp68]

If I Were a Bell ending seems clear to me

[@mattlandry-mcwilliams7077]

LIZ SWADOS

[@dustytheloneranger]

Wait, you mean these buttons aren't about sewing?

[@margotduque3788]

trying to figure out what his shirt means

[@SethTV]

It's Pac Man from "Back in the day"