How do you define different show types?
Understanding the distinctions between show types can help you better navigate and select material on StageAgent. Here are the definitions we use, along with example shows for each type:
A production in which music, singing, and dancing are often integral components to storytelling. Musicals typically combine spoken dialogue with songs and choreography.
Example: Hamilton
Play:
A production that primarily uses spoken dialogue to tell a story. Plays generally do not include singing or extensive dancing.
Example: Death of a Salesman
A short opera that includes spoken dialogue, usually focusing on light or comedic subjects. Unlike musicals, operettas maintain a vocal style closely aligned with opera and rarely involve complicated dancing.
Example: The Pirates of Penzance
A dramatic work performed entirely to music for singers and instrumentalists. While opera may occasionally include spoken dialogue (such as in Die Zauberflöte or the original Carmen), this is usually replaced by recitative—a style of singing that mimics speech.
Example: La Traviata