Musical Theatre History

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the history and evolution of musical theatre, including definitions of important terms and influential concepts.

Musical

A stage, television or film production utilizing popular style songs to either tell a story or showcase the talents of writers and/or performers, with dialogue optional.

Dithyrambs

Choral hymns sung to the gods, considered the origin of music in theatre.

Thespis

The first actor to step out of the dithyramb chorus and engage in storytelling, leading to the development of Greek drama.

Chorus

A group of actors/singers in Greek theatre that offered background information, commented on themes, and represented the community.

Commedia Dell'arte

An Italian theatrical form characterized by improvised performances based on stock characters and scenarios.

Slapstick

A style of comedy involving exaggerated physical action and humorous situations, originating from Commedia dell’arte.

Jukebox Musical

A musical that features songs by a particular artist or group, often telling a story through that music.

Mega Musical

Large-scale, spectacle-driven musicals characterized by epic plots and big musical scores, often with minimal dialogue.

The Great White Way

A nickname for the Broadway theater district in New York City, referring to the bright lights of its theaters.

Tin Pan Alley

The collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music scene in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Concept Musical

A musical where the focus is on an idea or theme rather than a traditional narrative structure.

Diegetic Songs

Songs acknowledged by characters within the story, often integrated into the narrative.

Non-Diegetic Songs

Songs that function as background music or dialogue not acknowledged by the characters in the story.

Theatrical Revue

A variety show that features a series of separate acts, including music, dance, and sketches, typically united by a theme.

Ballad Opera

An English theatrical form that combines spoken dialogue with songs set to popular melodies.

Book Musical

A musical that includes a story (book) with songs integrated into the narrative.

Patter Song

A song that features quick, clever lyrics often delivering humorous content, exemplified by the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Blackface

A theatrical practice where white performers darkened their skin to portray black characters, historically linked to minstrel shows.

Liberation Musicals

Musicals that reflect social change, often incorporating themes of civil rights, feminism, and LGBTQ+ representation.

Crossover Artists

Performers who transition between different entertainment forms, often achieving success in both musical theatre and other genres.