Musical Theatre History and Anatomy

Show Boat

Landmark musical that premiered in 1927.

Oklahoma!

Golden Age musical that premiered in 1943.

West Side Story

Golden Age musical that premiered in 1957.

Hair

Rock musical that premiered in 1968.

A Chorus Line

Hit musical that premiered in 1975.

The Phantom of the Opera

British Invasion musical that premiered in 1988.

Rent

Landmark 1990s musical that premiered in 1996.

Hamilton

Acclaimed musical that premiered in 2015.

Broadway Venue

A theatre with 500 or more seats.

Off-Broadway Venue

A theatre with 100 to 499 seats.

Off-Off Broadway Venue

A theatre with under 100 seats.

Book Writer

Writes the spoken dialogue and story structure.

Jukebox Musical

A musical that uses previously released popular songs.

Sung-thru Musical

A show with no spoken dialogue, entirely set to music.

"I Want" Song

A song early in the show establishing a character's core desire.

11 o'clock Number

A major production number occurring late in Act Two.

The West End

London's primary theatre district containing 38 venues.

Basic Elements of Musical Theatre

Music, lyrics, book, and dance.

Overture

Instrumental introduction played at the start of Act One.

Entr'acte

Instrumental opening music for Act Two.

Producer

Financial backer and overall administrator of a theatrical production.

Director

Oversees the creative vision and stages the production.

Choreographer

Creates and arranges dance movements for a show.

Music Director

Oversees the musical aspects and leads the orchestra.

Stage Manager

Coordinates practical and technical aspects during rehearsals and performances.

Opening Number

The first major musical number introducing characters or themes.

"I Am" Song

A song that reveals a character's current state or personality.

Reprise

The repetition of a previously heard song with modified meaning.

Regional Theatre

Professional theatres outside New York City producing their own seasons.

Summer Stock

Theatrical productions operating primarily during the summer months.

Composer

Writes the music for a musical.

Lyricist

Writes the words to the songs.

Orchestrator

Assigns instruments to play the musical score.

Lighting Designer

Plans and executes the lighting design for a production.

Set Designer

Creates the physical environment and scenery for a show.

Costume Designer

Designs the clothing worn by actors on stage.

Company Manager

Handles day-to-day operations for the cast and crew, including housing and payroll.

The Ensemble

A group of actors, singers, and dancers who perform chorus numbers.

Musical Comedies

A genre of musical theatre emphasizing lighthearted comedy, romance, and catchy tunes.

Golden Age Musicals

Musicals from the 1940s to 1950s characterized by integrated plots and character-driven songs.

Underscoring

Instrumental music played under dialogue or dramatic action.

Ballads

Slow, emotional songs often sung by soloists or in duets.

Finale of Act One

The major musical number that concludes the first act.

Bows

The final acknowledgement of applause by the cast at the end of a show.

Girl Crazy

Musical that premiered in 1930.

Of Thee I Sing

Musical that premiered in 1931.

Anything Goes

Musical that premiered in 1934.

On the Town

Musical that premiered in 1944.

Kiss Me, Kate

Musical that premiered in 1948.

South Pacific

Musical that premiered in 1949.

Guys and Dolls

Musical that premiered in 1950.

The King and I

Musical that premiered in 1951.

Can-Can

Musical that premiered in 1953.

The Pajama Game

Musical that premiered in 1954.

Damn Yankees

Musical that premiered in 1955.

The Most Happy Fella

Musical that premiered in 1956.

My Fair Lady

Musical that premiered in 1956.

Jamaica

Musical that premiered in 1957.

The Music Man

Musical that premiered in 1957.

Gypsy

Musical that premiered in 1959.

The Sound of Music

Musical that premiered in 1959.

Bye Bye Birdie

Musical that premiered in 1960.

Camelot

Musical that premiered in 1960.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Musical that premiered in 1961.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Musical that premiered in 1962.

No Strings

Musical that premiered in 1962.

Oliver!

Musical that premiered in 1963.

She Loves Me

Musical that premiered in 1963.

Fiddler on the Roof

Musical that premiered in 1964.

Hello, Dolly!

Musical that premiered in 1964.

Cabaret

Musical that premiered in 1966.

Mame

Musical that premiered in 1966.

Sweet Charity

Musical that premiered in 1966.

Promises, Promises

Musical that premiered in 1968.

1776

Musical that premiered in 1969.

Applause

Musical that premiered in 1970.

Company

Musical that premiered in 1970.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Musical that premiered in 1971.

Godspell

Musical that premiered in 1971.

Grease

Musical that premiered in 1972.

Pippin

Musical that premiered in 1972.

Chicago

Musical that premiered in 1975.

The Wiz

Musical that premiered in 1975.

Annie

Musical that premiered in 1977.

Sweeney Todd

Musical that premiered in 1979.

Evita

Musical that premiered in 1979.

42nd Street

Musical that premiered in 1980.

Dreamgirls

Musical that premiered in 1981.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Musical that premiered in 1982.

Cats

Musical that premiered in 1982.

La Cage Aux Folles

Musical that premiered in 1983.

Sunday in the Park with George

Musical that premiered in 1984.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Musical that premiered in 1985.

Into the Woods

Musical that premiered in 1987.

Les Misérables

Musical that premiered in 1987.

Starlight Express

Musical that premiered in 1987.

Jerome Robbins' Broadway

Musical that premiered in 1989.

City of Angels

Musical that premiered in 1989.

Once on This Island

Musical that premiered in 1990.

Miss Saigon

Musical that premiered in 1991.