musical
A theatrical form combining spoken dialogue, songs, and dance to tell a story.
In Depth
The musical (or musical theatre) combines acting, singing, and dancing in a unified dramatic presentation. Unlike opera, which is sung throughout, musicals alternate between spoken scenes and musical numbers. The songs advance the plot, reveal character, and heighten emotional moments.
The American musical evolved from operetta and vaudeville in the early 20th century. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! (1943) is often cited as the first fully integrated musical, where every song and dance serves the story. Stephen Sondheim pushed the form's dramatic and musical complexity, while Andrew Lloyd Webber brought the through-sung (no dialogue) approach to popular success.
Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda broke every record on Broadway by telling the story of a Founding Father through hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes — it won 11 Tony Awards in 2016.