show tunes
Musical theater songs
Show tunes are songs from Broadway musicals and similar theatrical productions.
The term evokes a particular style—melodic, emotionally direct, meant to be sung with theatrical flair: She belted out show tunes at the piano bar.
Show tunes range from romantic ballads to comic numbers, unified by their origins on stage rather than in pop or rock traditions.
Manhattan theatrical district
- librettoOpera's written words
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
- finaleConcluding part of performance
reprise · ensemble · ballad · soprano · tenor · baritone · chorus · refrain
Visually striking event
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- prosceniumTheater's architectural frame
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- playbillTheater performance listing
audition · rehearsal · costumes · understudy · stagecraft · spotlight · footlights · orchestra pit
Period of peak prosperity
- classicOf lasting excellence
- timelessUnaffected by eras
- vintageQuality from past eras
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
evergreen · memories · sentimental · reminisce · wistful · fondness · Gershwin · Sondheim
Pleasing sequence of notes
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
tempo · key · refrain · modulation · counterpoint · hook · verse · bridge
Broadway
Manhattan theatrical district
- librettoOpera's written words
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
finale · reprise · ensemble · ballad · soprano · tenor · baritone · chorus · refrain · act
spectacle
Visually striking event
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- prosceniumTheater's architectural frame
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
playbill · audition · rehearsal · costumes · understudy · stagecraft · spotlight · footlights · orchestra pit · standing ovation
golden age
Period of peak prosperity
standards · evergreen · memories · sentimental · reminisce · wistful · fondness · Gershwin · Sondheim · Cole Porter
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
orchestration · tempo · key · refrain · modulation · counterpoint · hook · verse · bridge · crescendo
- songssong, songs, folk ballads, melody, ballads
- Broadwaymusicals, musical, Tony Award, musical theatre, theaters
- musical theateract, musical theater, scene, cast recordings, Evita
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- American Singingspirituals, blues, country, gospel, barbershop
- Piano Barpianist, grand piano, baby grand, upright piano, ivories
show tunespunk rock
Stripped-down aggressive rock genre
death metal · noise music · gangsta rap · industrial music · hardcore punk
show tunesunderground music
Non-commercial sonic culture
avant-garde music · protest songs · experimental music · street music · garage rock
show tunessound effects
Artificial noises for media
work songs · meditation music · ringtones · muzak · folk songs