FAQ About The Evolution of Musical Theater

The 20th century saw tremendous evolution in musical theater, with changes in style, theme, and presentation. Early musicals emphasized spectacle and light entertainment, but as the century progressed, they began to tackle more serious themes and complex narratives. The Golden Age of the 1940s-60s, exemplified by Rodgers and Hammerstein, brought integrated musicals where songs and dances were integral to the story. Later, the rock musicals of the 1970s and more diverse offerings in the late 20th century continued to expand the genre's boundaries.