It's Not About Love – Main Menu

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The secret to success in romance and marriage

The secret to success in romance and marriage is revealed within the story of “It's Not About Love.” An academic treatment is also included in the “Background” section of this website.

Note: “Background” is located on the horizontal menu. Peruse the links on the vertical menu within “Background” for a step-by-step explanation.

We could have summarized the secret to success in romance and marriage here for your convenience. However, it is necessary to read the supporting information (or experience “It's Not About Love” in person or online) to appreciate the importance and ramifications of this knowledge personally and collectively.

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What makes “It's Not About Love” family friendly?

Think Hallmark® and Disney®.

• No politics

• No violence

• No illegal activities

• No nudity

• No foul language

• No religion

• No ethnic stereotypes

• No homosexuality

• No gender alteration

The story is personally and socially empowering.

• The characters are honorable, hardworking, neighborly and patriotic.

• The characters espouse a moral lifestyle that is safe and sound.

• The story is respectful of men and women.

• The characters are color-blind.

• Proper English is spoken without slang or bastardization.

• The story features an exclusive message that affects everyone.

• Patrons are taught how to nurture important romantic relationships.

• Couples are inspired to stay together while raising their children.

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What makes “It's Not About Love” contemporary?

The story is about you.

• The time is today.

• The setting is your city.

• The subject is love and marriage (timeless and universal).

• You will identify with one of the lead characters.

• The songs are thought and emotion-provoking.

• The songs are relatable.

Traditional elements are missing.

• There are no big-production dance numbers.

• There are no flamboyant costumes.

• There is no glitter or feathers.

• There is no tap dancing.

• The dialogue is not sung or recited unnaturally.

• There is no gratuitous movement.

• No one frolics about the stage belting out “show tunes.”

Modern elements abound.

• The songs are mainstream (pop-country) and finely-crafted.

• The songs have memorable melodies.

• The lyrics are sharp, smart and not forced.

• The dialogue is spoken normally and naturally.

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There are Six Forms of Theater

Note: The various forms of theater differ in the way they tell a story.

A “Symphony” tells a story by way of instrumental music. Emotions are conveyed but, without words or movement, the story is vague at best.

A “Ballet” tells a story by way of dance, movement and instrumental music. There are no words, so patrons are required to guess about the details.

A “Play” tells a story by way of spoken dialogue. Characters share their thoughts, feelings and desires through soliloquy, monologue and aside.

A “Musical Play” tells a story by way of spoken dialogue. Characters share their thoughts, feelings and desires with the audience through “songs.”

Note: “Songs” have strong melodies, are structured, are sung with precision by vocalists, and are not acted out, can stand alone and have wide (radio) appeal.

A “Musical” tells a story by way of spoken dialogue. Characters share their thoughts, feelings and desires through dance, fanfare and “show tunes.”

Note: Not all lyric and melody compositions are “songs.” Ditties, jingles, arias, recitative, rap and “show tunes” serve different functions. Although “Musicals” may feature one or two “songs” to boost their popularity, most lyric and melody compositions are performed by characters as they move about the stage. Consequently, “show tunes,” tend not to have strong structured melodies, are not sung with precision by vocalists, are acted out and cannot stand alone.

An “Opera” tells a story by way of dialogue set to melodies or recited unnaturally, such as to an elevated pitch (recitative) or rapping (rhyming).

See “Summary/FAQs” for more information on nomenclature.

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Most forms of theater have a limited following.

Note: The following three forms of theater suffer in popularity because of their respective deficiencies (as cited below). Consequently, they typically need private donations, corporate sponsorship and government funding to survive.

“Symphonies” suffer because the story told is unclear. Without words or movement to tell the story, the audience is left unaware and in the dark.

“Ballets” suffer because the story told is without details. The lack of words leaves the audience uncertain, guessing, frustrated and unfulfilled.

“Plays” suffer because they are one-dimensional. Music is an inextricable part of life. Why not include lyric and melody compositions in a play?

Note: Although the following two forms of theater have sponsored many successful works, they appeal to a niche audience for the reasons stated.

“Musicals” suffer because it is hard to identify with spontaneous gratuitous dancing and characters frolicking about the stage belting out “show tunes.”

“Operas” suffer because singing or reciting dialogue feels unnatural, and long unbroken musical orations makes for a trying and tedious experience.

See “Summary/FAQs” for more information on nomenclature.

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Why the “Musical Play” has universal appeal.

“Musical Plays” enjoy universal appeal for the following reasons:

1. Unlike “Symphonies,” a specific and substantive story is told.

2. Unlike “Ballets,” the story told is rounded and embellished with details.

3. Unlike “Plays,” “songs” connect characters with the audience.

4. Unlike “Plays,” “songs” break the monotony of continuous dialogue.

5. Unlike “Musicals,” characters react and respond as do regular people.

6. Unlike “Musicals,” vocalists sing “songs” (as opposed to “show tunes”).

7. Unlike “Operas,” spoken dialogue provides realism, calm and balance.

Note: Although technically not musical theater, the “Music Concert” is the most popular form of live entertainment. Still, many would-be patrons do not attend them because of a glaring problem that is absent in the “Musical Play.”

8. Unlike “Music Concerts,” patrons do not clap and sing to the music, or dance or stand on their chairs. Civility makes the “Musical Play” an attractive alternative to the typical rowdy and unruly “Music Concert.”

Note: The “Musical Play” is arguably the ultimate form of live entertainment.

See “Summary/FAQs” for more information on nomenclature.

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