Affective Interruptions: Political Collectivity in Halftime

Abstract In this article, I analyze a rhythmic device in musical theater performance that is often used but rarely discussed: The sudden break into halftime. Breaking halftime—a shift performed and perceived as occurring at half the tempo (or speed) of groove preceding subsequent sections—has effect abruptly stretching out slowing down temporality. With halftime, song's suddenly broader, more open, expansive. When accompanied by lyrics, move suggests deliberateness, calls attention to lyrical address, invites considered response from listener. It akin drastically spoken cadence ensure listener fully grasping significance one's words. or without temporal disruption has powerful on listeners’ bodies as, suddenly, established timing experience disrupted immediately set speed previous pace. By analyzing use halftime three filmed musicals—Newsies, Rent, Rocky Horror Picture Show—I show how carries with it social coding solidarity collective power among queer, marginalized, and/or otherwise outcast individuals ultimately alters broader narrative shows. Ultimately, articulate serves queer time forge action, allowing us reimagine what sort politics, formations, collectives, futures are possible.