Concept Musical
The Concept Musical Lorri Glajchen MT2 The musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein of the 1940’s and 1950’s had a clearly defined story line, with musical numbers that support and propel the plot and with choreography and instrumental music integrated to produce a cohesive whole. However during the 1970’s a new type of musical, quite different from the typical Rogers and Hammerstein book musical arose – the concept musical. A concept musical is built on a central concept or issue instead of on a linear story. Rather than a chronological construction, the concept musical often has an episodic structure where the story is fragmented. A concept musical may use song and dance not only as part of the action but also to comment on the situation and characters. Many concept musicals have no beginning, middle or end but are structured rather in a circular or non-linear format.