What Is a Musical?

A musical is an emotional, entertaining stage show or film with its own plot, integrating music, dance and dialogue into the action. Its two main forms are musical theatre and musical film.

The musical's roots reach back to the mid-nineteenth century. “The Black Crook”, staged on Broadway in 1866, is presented here as an early musical theatre landmark. It delighted audiences, ran for 474 performances and inspired later musicals.

With the development of cinema, musicals moved from stage to screen. Warner Bros.' “The Jazz Singer” became a widely acclaimed early example and received a special honorary Academy Award.

Musicals combine three elements: movement, music and dialogue.

Scenes that combine music and dance often convey the greatest emotional intensity to the audience.

Duygu Deniz Uşaklıgil
Rekor Sanat – Violin Teacher