Book musicals

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In a Book Musical the songs form part of the narrative or plot.

The songs lyrics contain part of the storyline to progress plot of the musical.

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'Spoken dialogue and sung dialogue' not sung through

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There is equal importance given to the singing/music as the spoken dialogue.

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A book musical consists of three parts:

• the book (which means script, where the dialogue and drama is contained)

• the music (arranged for various instruments within a band or orchestra)

• the lyrics (where the words to the songs are written underneath a piano part)

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The musical can contain dancing

The lyrics and piano part together are known as the score.

The spoken and sung text together is referred to as the libretto.

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The musical theatre works of Rodgers and Hammerstein are key examples of 'Book Musicals' 

Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music

 

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