[lateef-omidiji Posts: 14 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I'm writing a story and it's inspired by the Broadway musical Annie. I'm trying to figure out what genre the play is, exactly. I've searched a bit online and the general consensus is that genre is simply a "Broadway musical," but I don't want to believe that. If anyone knows or at least think of genre they think Annie should fit in, then please do tell me!   

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 5,456 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

That is how the genre would be expressed from a theatrical perspective. There are musicals and plays. Plays can be dramas or comedies, but musicals aren't split.

If Annie were a book, I think it would be a middle grade. I forget how old she's supposed to be. Since it was written after the time period it takes place in, it might also be thought of as a historical piece. But it's based on a comic strip.

What genre Annie is may not relate to the genre your final story is. It might be good to finish it and then see where you stand.

[Melody Posts: 870 Status: Offline WWW]

Yup. As a book you consider the age of the main character as well as the maturity level of the story. So, this would likely be MG.

[lateef-omidiji Posts: 14 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

That is how the genre would be expressed from a theatrical perspective. There are musicals and plays. Plays can be dramas or comedies, but musicals aren't split.

If Annie were a book, I think it would be a middle grade. I forget how old she's supposed to be. Since it was written after the time period it takes place in, it might also be thought of as a historical piece. But it's based on a comic strip.

What genre Annie is may not relate to he genre your final story is. It might be good to finish it and then see where you stand.

Thanks for the extra insight!

[lateef-omidiji Posts: 14 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thanks! You guys are a big help

[DianaM Posts: 1,668 Status: Offline Writer, rhymer, runner, punner. WWW]

I think it would be MG if it were a novel, because the main characters are around 12-ish.

[thunderingelephants Posts: 1,437 Status: Offline]

Annie is one of those films which is spread across a broad spectrum. Also, it can appeal to a wide audience and you might need to consider that most wouldn't consider it to have ever been a book. What might associate it as a film musical, or adapted for the stage.
It could work as a book, but you'd really need to research the relevance of that type of plot in today's market. Opinions on that topic have changed dramatically!
Personal opinion.

[Christine B. Posts: 524 Status: Offline WWW]

I’m a theater professional. We would call the stage musical “Annie” a work of musical theater, or more specifically a musical comedy. Or, as you read, a Broadway musical (although that term is used more outside the industry than inside). Some might also call it a comic book musical. In terms of translating this all to book terms, I agree with the posts above.

[lateef-omidiji Posts: 14 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

I’m a theater professional. We would call the stage musical “Annie” a work of musical theater, or more specifically a musical comedy. Or, as you read, a Broadway musical (although that term is used more outside the industry than inside). Some might also call it a comic book musical. In terms of translating this all to book terms, I agree with the posts above.

Thanks for the insight! I would agree with the post of above as well. I'm not a theatre professional but I worked as an usher at San Francisco Orpheum theatre for 4 years and grew to love the art form Although, most shows that played at my theatre were musicals.