What Is a Musical Theatre Character Song?

Musical Theatre|Theater

Musical theatre character songs are a type of song that is written specifically for a character to perform in a musical. The songs are designed to help the audience understand the character’s motivations, emotions, and overall story arc.

They are used as a way to express the character’s thoughts and feelings in a way that dialogue alone cannot.

Character songs often have an important part in the development of the plot. They can be used to move the story forward, introduce new characters or ideas, or provide further insight into characters’ backstories and motivations.

Musical theatre character songs can range from simple ballads to complex musical numbers with choreography and elaborate sets. They can also be comedic or dramatic in nature, depending on what is needed for the show.

The lyrics of musical theatre character songs are usually symbolic and reflect the moods and feelings of the characters they portray. Some popular examples include “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Misérables, and “Tomorrow” from Annie.

Conclusion:

In summary, musical theatre character songs are an essential tool for helping audiences understand characters’ stories and motivations within a musical production. From heartfelt ballads to comedic numbers, these songs can range vastly in style, structure and content but all serve to provide insight into their respective characters.