Calculus: The Musical

Call this High School Musical: The Math Years. Of course, it remains to be seen whether music and popular melodies would have helped me catch on to calculus in high school. I rather doubt it. But seeing Mr. Menkhaus try certainly would have made it more fun.

So Calculus: The Musical attempts, in a remarkably ebullient way, to make something empirically un-fun fun. You simply have to credit the creators Marc Gutman and Sadie Bowman (who double as the performers) for their game try. Whether it entirely works is somewhat in question.

Staged appropriately in a classroom at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Calculus: The Musical sets out to explain the history of calculus and some of the defining principles in a flip, Gen-X way. Isaac Newton plays with an action figure of himself (throwing it up and watching it fall) as he ponders instantaneous velocity. Thus begins the journey.

With a sparse set and either a keyboard or guitar as accompaniment, the two actors plow through scenes and songs, ripping through moments in math history at breakneck speed. They quite clearly know that, for the show to succeed at all, it won’t have time to pause and let the audience wonder what just happened. Let’s be honest: The majority of the Fringe crowd are neither math students nor teachers. And they’re probably, like me, too many years removed from the classroom to get any of the “in jokes.” So the genesis of the show — as a mnemonic tool for Gutman’s teaching — makes sense. Practically applied to a Fringe festival? Well, maybe not.

But it is clever. Bowman, specifically, is a pretty solid musician and singer. And the slideshows and videos that supplement the staging are endearing in their extreme low-budget way. (Special props for the Mr. T and Ghostbusters references during the song “Power Rule.”)

Note that all the songs should sound extremely familiar. Gutman and Bowman hijack popular melodies from artists as far-flung as Gilbert and Sullivan to Red Hot Chili Peppers, from The Beatles to They Might Be Giants. Again, the charm of the show — at least for the mathematically challenged — isn’t how they managed to rhyme some oddball math terms together (e.g., “I know that you got Sigma Notation/When your slices add in a big summation”). It’s how accessible the creators have made those concepts by shoehorning them into an Eminem tune.

In my preview for this show I wrote that whether or not it’s any good seems secondary to witnessing first-hand how the creators manage to pull this off. I was right. It might not be great theater in either the traditional or the Fringe sense of the word, but like some 19th-century curiosity show it’s something you just feel compelled to experience. Grade: B-

— Rodger Pille

Comments

[Mickey Wentz]

I witnessed "Calculus the Musical" with my math class. As a math nerd, I had to see it for the sake of my math nerdiness. I can be very skeptical when it comes to fellow teachers forcing math into music in order to be hip. However, this show left me speechless. I can't wait to see it again! I've always loved math and teaching, but they took me to a whole new level.

[Jeff Paul Scam]

My friend and I have started our own small website and internet marketing the site to attract some visitors to buy products from our clients. This can really help make good money.

[cheap levitra]

However, this show left me speechless. I can't wait to see it again! I've always loved math and teaching, but they took me to a whole new level.

[Virginia Marketing]

Hello,

This is a beautiful site. I love its content and its design. I recommend this site among other people. Have a look on this also:
Conversion Pipeline is dedicated to leading your marketing strategy and providing crucial ongoing marketing and communications support.

[sildenafil]

excellent grouping for decades it has always been producing music first, thanks for the excellent blog topic and always live red hot chili peppers ...!!

[certified cna classes in michigan]

I found your website that captures my interest while searching the internet for particular keywords related to real estates. This is a very informative blog of yours. Keep up the good work. You may also check Real Estate Investments and TIC Investments if it interest you for additional information's. Thank You...

[Nike Dunks]

Mathematics is a wonderful course! It all the time full of mystery! Full of people tried their best to force it lifted the veil just to

[buy viagra uk]

I love lyrics of this song.

[Louis Vuitton]

hey this weblog is great. I’m glad I came by this web site. Maybe I can contribute from the around future.

[air yeezy]

Where not to eat bread with tears, people do not know the taste of life of people.

[Shawn21Cote]

I opine that to get the home loans from creditors you must present a firm reason. Nevertheless, once I've received a bank loan, because I was willing to buy a building.

[Kamagra]

Hey,

Great post, please continue sharing to us !!

Thanks

[Kamagra]

Hey,

Great post, please continue sharing to us !!

Thanks

[Remeron]

This is a great idea, I would like to read this information every day
Thanks for sharing

[Astrology Readings]

I need a good compliment for each person but I also need a list of one word complements and the teacher is going to check them (sadly enough) examples: nice, smart, funny, brave, outgoing, etc.

[CNA Schools Neveda]

I would like to think that Republicans are going to make great gains in November and that, having learned their lesson, will govern better.

[Generic Viagra]

The information you provide must for some people is very important, I am also very interested in this content, thank you! I've always been concerned about your article, the content of this course, I may have different views, but the information you provide is very helpful for me, I always support you, yes, I have been doing.

[Careprost]

Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[ゾフラン]

Hey, Great post **

[cialis professional]

I really like this write! I enjoy it so much! thanks for give me a good reading moment!

[Kamagra]

Skönt att vara besöka din blogg igen, har det varit månader för mig. Väl här artikeln som jag har väntat så länge. Jag behöver den här artikeln för att slutföra mitt uppdrag i kollegiet, och den har samma tema med din artikel. Tack, bra aktie.@@

[CNA Training Online]

Excellently written article, if only all bloggers offered the same content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!

[Generic Viagra]

I really agree with the facts that you have shared on this post. An interesting topic like this really enhances reader's mind to have more effective decisions over a certain issue.

[careprost]

Really great post, Thank you for sharing This knowledge.Excellently written article, if only all bloggers offered the same level of content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!..

[Generic Viagra]

I think you are right when you say this. Hats off man, what a superlative knowledge you have on this subject…hope to see more work of yours.