"Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance."
A form of theater that combines music, dance, and drama. It emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and has become a popular form of entertainment around the world.
Ancient Greek Theater: The origins of theater and its development in ancient Greece.
Medieval Theater: The emergence of religious and secular theater in the middle ages.
Renaissance Theater: The revival of ancient Greek theater and the birth of modern theater.
Commedia dell'arte: A type of improvisational theater that originated in Italy in the 16th century.
Restoration Theater: The restoration of the English monarchy and the emergence of a new type of theater.
Melodrama: A style of theater that emerged in the 18th century and combines music, drama, and spectacle.
Vaudeville: A type of variety theater that was popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Operetta: A type of musical theater that originated in Europe in the 19th century and features light, comic stories and music.
Musical Comedy: A type of musical theater that emerged in the early 20th century and features integrated songs and dances.
Broadway: The history of the American theater district and its role in the development of musical theater in the United States.
West End: The history of the London theater district and its role in the development of musical theater in the United Kingdom.
Contemporary Musical Theater: The evolution of musical theater in the 21st century and its impact on popular culture.
Operetta: A lighter form of musical theater, using melodic themes and comedic situations, that originated in the 19th century.
Comic Opera: A type of musical theater that is characterized by its comic elements.
Musical Review: This type of musical theater consists of a collection of different songs, sketches, or bits and usually doesn't have a narrative story.
Musical Comedy: A lighter form of musical theater, characterized by its comedic elements.
Pantomime: A type of musical theater that is performed without spoken dialogue, where the story is carried on through dramatic and dance movements.
Burlesque: A type of musical theater that usually has flamboyant costumes and exaggerated performances.
Music Drama: A type of musical theater that combines dramatic storylines with music.
Grand Opera: A more serious form of musical theater, featuring complex, multi-act storylines, and dramatic music.
Contemporary Musical Theater: The type of musical theater popular today, usually featuring more modern music styles and diverse storylines.
Modern Musical Play: A type of musical theater that often features a storyline based on popular books, movies, or TV shows.
"The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement, and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole."
"Musical theatre may be distinguished by the equal importance given to the music as compared with the dialogue, movement, and other elements."
"Modern Western musical theatre emerged during the 19th century."
"The works of Gilbert and Sullivan in Britain and those of Harrigan and Hart in America."
"Edwardian musical comedies, which emerged in Britain."
"Show Boat (1927), Of Thee I Sing (1931), and Oklahoma! (1943)."
"My Fair Lady (1956), The Fantasticks (1960), Hair (1967), A Chorus Line (1975), Les Misérables (1985), The Phantom of the Opera (1986), Rent (1996), Wicked (2003), and Hamilton (2015)."
"Musicals are performed around the world."
"Big-budget Broadway or West End productions in New York City or London."
"Off-Broadway, off-off-Broadway, regional theatre, fringe theatre, or community theatre productions."
"Musicals are often presented by amateur and school groups in churches, schools, and other performance spaces."
"There are vibrant musical theatre scenes in continental Europe, Asia, Australasia, Canada, and Latin America."
"Combine songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance."
"The story and emotional content are communicated through words, music, movement, and technical aspects."
"During the 19th century."
"The works of Gilbert and Sullivan and Harrigan and Hart."
"Show Boat (1927), Of Thee I Sing (1931), and Oklahoma! (1943)."
"Large venues like Broadway or West End productions, smaller venues, or even amateur and school performances."
"Continental Europe, Asia, Australasia, Canada, and Latin America have vibrant musical theatre scenes."