Are Musicals Musical Theatre?

Musical Theatre|Theater

Musicals are a form of entertainment that combines music, dancing and spoken dialogue. They have been around for centuries and are enjoyed by people of all ages.

The term ‘musical theatre’ is often used to refer to a type of performance which is both musical and theatrical in nature. But what exactly is the difference between musicals and musical theatre?

The main difference between the two is that musicals focus more on the music while musical theatre focuses more on the story. Musicals tend to be lighthearted in tone, with catchy tunes, fun lyrics, and plenty of dancing.

Musical theatre, on the other hand, often includes more complex stories and deeper themes as well as intricate choreography. Musicals also tend to feature larger casts than musical theatre shows, allowing for bigger production numbers and more elaborate set pieces.

Musicals typically feature original songs composed specifically for the production while musical theatre shows may contain some original material but often rely heavily on existing songs from other genres such as pop or classical music. Musicals often have a more lighthearted feel while musical theatre may explore heavier topics such as politics or social issues.

Musicals also tend to be shorter in length than musical theatre shows, with most lasting less than two hours. This makes them easier to produce than longer running shows which require more rehearsal time and resources. Musical theatre performances may last up to four hours or longer.

Conclusion:

Musicals are distinct from musical theatre as they focus primarily on music while still providing an entertaining storyline. Both forms of entertainment can be enjoyed by people of all ages but they differ in terms of length, complexity, tone and subject matter.