There are many different forms of art produced and consumed today. Some people paint, some like to go to museums, some create and enjoy pottery, and some see shows. No matter the art form or venue, all art tells a story. Though different forms of art are favored and appreciated by different people, they are all similar in that they utilize creativity and storytelling. One such form of art in particular is theatre. Though theatre in general involves storytelling and performance, there are still different forms of art within the larger field. In general, theatre is most commonly attributed to “Broadway.”
When most people think of “Broadway,” they think of big, showy musicals: Wicked, Lion King, Kinky Boots. Many don’t stop to consider the amount of straight plays available for consumption that are also on “Broadway.” Despite what many believe, in the theatre industry, it’s incredibly rare to hear someone misnomer a musical as a “play.” There are distinct differences between plays and musicals, and both are highly valued and valuable.
Musicals involve singing, dancing, and acting. They tell a variety of stories, from comedies to tragedies to romances. In the musical “Something Rotten,” there’s a song title “A Musical.” The song essentially involves one character describing to another character what “a musical” is. The character says a musical is “a play where the dialogue stops and the plot is conveyed through song.” The best musicals traditionally have three essential elements: “brains, heart, and courage.” There are both stage musicals and movie musicals. Recently many stage musicals have begun to be adapted to movie musicals, such as Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, and West Side Story. Essentially, a musical is a story told through song and dance.
Plays, on the other hand, similarly involve the telling of a story. However, unlike musicals, they usually do not involve song and dance. Plays, though they don’t contain the fun elements of singing and dancing, still have the same potential to leave a lasting effect on the audience. Plays, similarly to musicals, tell stories in a myriad of ways: humor, sorrow, etc. The true beauty of plays is that though there isn’t often showy elements like singing and dancing, they are still incredibly compelling. Even if a story is done three hundred different times, with the same exact lines spoken each time, it will never be the exact same. Each play is produced with a unique creative, a unique cast, and a unique set of circumstances.
Both musicals and plays are incredibly vital and influential in the world of theatre. Each has the ability to connect with its audience in a unique and powerful way. No matter how the story is told, it is done creatively and with intelligence and heart. While different people may have different preferences and beliefs when it comes to plays vs. musicals, both garner their own fair share of audience members and appreciators. It’s up to each individual person to decide for themselves which art form they wish to consume.