Script writing (Play) . Help please?

Question

The draft of the script is done. The story is something like an adventure of a boy. He meets groups of characters along the way, who attempt but are not able to solve his problem. There are three groups then he meets someone who was able to help him. It is actually about 80% performance numbers and 20% speaking dialogues.

The questions are:
How could I build on the conflicts and climax?
How could I build on emotions since the story is laden with a lot of songs and dance numbers? I worry there is not much moment that the audience could relax a bit so that their emotions could be carried away at the next scene.

Answer 1

musicals deal with big emotions, so make sure that the problem that your lead is trying to solve is absolutely critical to his / her happiness.

Put more things in his path. Someone can help him, but ultimately your lead must drive the story and solve his or her own problem. You need obsticles.

Know your three act structure. Set up your character and problem in the first act. Once the character commits to the adventure that will solve his or her problem, you are in the second act. But a third of the way into your second act, something happens that spins the story in a new direction. Raise the stakes here. Make the problem critical. If you have a bad guy, make him or her badder.

At the end of the second act all is pretty much lost. There is no way your lead can win and disaster is going to ensue.

EXCEPT, there is one tiny, desperate chance requiring the ultimate commitment and risk. Your lead goes for it, and the answer to whether he or she suceeds here determines what kind of story you are writing. Musicals usually have uplifting endings, but not always.

Yes. More conflict, make sure all is lost at the end of act 2, your lead must suffer or sacrifice during the story, and the third act has to be one of desperation.

And do it in a new way that no one will see coming.

Have fun!

Answer 2

How could I build on the conflicts and climax?
If by this you mean "build on" what is not there, then it seems a bit late since you have a story line.
If you mean "build on" the base I have constructed, then you have to turn to the characters you have created or sketched and they will also carry the interest of the audience. Also the characters interactions that are not in the main line of the play can be used for relief, comic or otherwise.