musical comedy
Broadway laughs sung
Musical comedy is a theatrical genre combining spoken dialogue, songs, and dancing, typically with lighthearted plots and happy endings.
The term dates from the late 19th century and originally distinguished these lighter shows from operettas and dramatic musicals.
Today it's often shortened to simply "musical," though musical comedy specifically suggests humor and entertainment over serious themes: The golden age of musical comedy produced shows like *Guys and Dolls*.
Manhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- operettaComic musical theater piece
- revueMusical variety entertainment
- vaudevilleTheatrical variety entertainment
cabaret · burlesque · extravaganza · pastiche · libretto · book · score · Gilbert and Sullivan
Mockery exposing vice
- parodySatirical imitation
- witClever, inventive humor
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
banter · punchline · shtick · double take · sight gag · wordplay · buffoonery · running gag
Synchronized stage dancers
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
- finaleConcluding part of performance
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
curtain call · encore · audition · rehearsal · understudy · troupe · headliner · leading lady
Spectacular crowd-pleasing performance
- balladNarrative poem or song
- duetPiece for two
- repriseRecurrence of a theme
- chorusSingers performing together
verse · bridge · lyric · refrain · torch song · soliloquy · medley · finale
Theater's architectural frame
- orchestra pitRecessed area for musicians
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- costumeClothing for portrayal
set design · scenery · props · makeup · trapdoor · turntable · backdrop · wings
Designing performance movement sequences
- chorus lineSynchronized stage dancers
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- jazz handsShowy spread-finger gesture
- kick lineRow of synchronized dancers
soft shoe · ballet · showgirl · dream ballet · production number · can-can · shuffle
Broadway
Manhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- operettaComic musical theater piece
- revueMusical variety entertainment
vaudeville · cabaret · burlesque · extravaganza · pastiche · libretto · book · score · Gilbert and Sullivan · Sondheim
satire
Mockery exposing vice
farce · banter · punchline · shtick · double take · sight gag · wordplay · buffoonery · running gag · innuendo
chorus line
Synchronized stage dancers
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
- finaleConcluding part of performance
overture · curtain call · encore · audition · rehearsal · understudy · troupe · headliner · leading lady · leading man
showstopper
Spectacular crowd-pleasing performance
chorus · verse · bridge · lyric · refrain · torch song · soliloquy · medley · finale
proscenium
Theater's architectural frame
- orchestra pitRecessed area for musicians
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
costume · set design · scenery · props · makeup · trapdoor · turntable · backdrop · wings · playbill
choreography
Designing performance movement sequences
- chorus lineSynchronized stage dancers
- tapValve controlling liquid flow
- jazz handsShowy spread-finger gesture
kick line · soft shoe · ballet · showgirl · dream ballet · production number · can-can · shuffle
- comedyjokes, humor, puns, sarcasm, stand-up
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- musical theateract, scene, cast recordings, Evita, number
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- comedy termsjokes, puns, wit, sarcasm, irony
- live actsmagic show, circus act, variety act, solo act, clown act
musical comedystraight play
Theater without musical numbers
tragedy · dramatic play · opera · Greek tragedy · Shakespearean tragedy
musical comedytragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
Greek tragedy · Shakespearean tragedy · melodrama · tearjerker · weepie
comedy, musical, musician, comedian, unmusical, musically, musicals, comedic, comedies