What Is a Legit Song in Musical Theatre?

Musical Theatre|Theater

A Legit Song in musical theatre refers to a song that is sung in a musical theater production with a classical, or ‘legit’ vocal style – meaning that it is sung with a full voice, as opposed to the belting style more commonly used in modern musical theater. Legit songs typically have strong melodies and are often written for solo singers or small groups.

The term ‘legit’ refers to the classical style of singing that is used in musical theatre. It is a full-voiced style of singing, as opposed to the more modern belting technique which has become popular in recent years. Legit songs are written for solo singers, duets and larger groups, and tend to feature complex harmonies and intricate melodies.

Legit songs often have longer phrases than other styles of music theatre, allowing performers to express emotion through their singing. This type of song usually requires vocal strength and control, as well as acting skills in order to convey the character’s story arc over the course of the song.

Some well-known examples of legit songs include “I Could Have Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady; “Memory” from Cats; “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from Funny Girl; and “Tonight” from West Side Story. These songs all demonstrate the classic techniques associated with legit singing – they require skilled performers with strong vocals, who can deliver emotive performances whilst maintaining control over their voices.

Legit singing is an essential part of musical theatre – it provides an opportunity for performers to showcase their vocal abilities and create powerful characters through their performances. With its roots firmly embedded in classical music, legit singing allows performers to create unique interpretations of characters and stories on stage whilst staying true to the spirit and tradition of musical theatre.

Conclusion: A legit song in musical theatre is one that is sung with a classical vocal style – strong melodies, longer phrases and complex harmonies – and requires skilled performers with solid vocal technique. Such songs provide opportunities for performers to showcase their talents whilst staying true to the spirit of musical theatre.