With the new musical season kicking off, here’s a quick guide to help you enjoy and understand every performance to the fullest.
The Types of Songs in a Musical
From its very name —musical theatre— it’s clear that music is the force that binds together the defining elements of the genre. It not only drives the actors’ performances but also shapes the choreography and lyrics, becoming the thread that runs through the entire stage experience.
So, when we talk about musicals, the first thing that comes to mind is music in its purest form: songs. The plot unfolds through them, in both emotion and storytelling. Songs allow for a more immediate connection between the audience, the characters, and the story.
Not all songs are created equal, though. Scott Miller (2000) points out that songs in a musical aren’t just there to entertain; each number should either move the story forward or deepen our understanding of the characters. This means that every song has a clear narrative purpose beyond the melody or spectacle.
Miller describes different categories of songs based on their function. For example, the classic “I Want Song”, which usually appears early in Act One, reveals the protagonist’s central desire and sets up the emotional conflict —think Somewhere Over the Rainbow in The Wizard of Oz or Think of Me in The Phantom of the Opera. There’s often also an opening number that sets the context, tone, and introduces the characters; a climactic song where the intensity peaks and the conflict hits its breaking point (Defying Gravity in Wicked); and finally, a closing number, designed to resolve the conflict and leave a lasting impression (Seasons of Love in Rent).
Each of these songs and structural patterns helps the audience find their way through the story and connect with the characters on a deeper level. But like any theory, it’s not a strict formula. Cabaret is a great example: its closest “I Want Song,” Maybe This Time, appears much later in the show, and instead of revealing an initial desire, it becomes a late self-awareness moment for Sally Bowles.
Characters and the Psychology of Music
Laurence Maslon (1980) highlights how lyrics and music work as an extension of a character’s psychology. When words alone fall short, songs take over. That’s when a character needs to express themselves more fully, revealing emotions, desires, and inner conflicts. This is why attentive listening becomes essential at these points.
Take La Vie Bohème in Rent: it’s practically a manifesto celebrating bohemian life and generational freedom. On the other hand, Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid gives us a glimpse of Ursula’s attempt at self-humanization, a number that gains even more power through its contrast with Ariel’s innocence. These are songs that demand active attention from the audience, because they hold essential keys to grasping the deeper meaning of the story.
Choreography and Staging
The audience’s gaze should also take in the choreography and stage design. Nothing is accidental: every gesture, every space, and every movement contributes to shaping the story and its characters. A scenic design or choreography that doesn’t serve the narrative weakens the richness of the piece.
Set, lighting, and costume are equally crucial as complementary forms of storytelling. They guide the audience through what is happening and how it should be interpreted. For example, the dance sequences in West Side Story mirror the social tensions and gang rivalries at the heart of the plot. In LETSGO’s new Cabaret, the seating layout places part of the audience at tables on stage, with characters interacting directly with them—turning choreography and staging into an intimate, participatory experience.
All these details invite the audience to stay alert: to watch what happens, how it unfolds, and why, transforming theatre-going into an act of conscious curiosity.
So, Where to Begin?
Practical Tips to Enjoy a Musical
Spot the protagonist’s central desire: Every great musical revolves around a conflict or goal that drives the story. Identifying it will help you follow the characters’ motivations and the plot’s direction.
Follow the integration of music, dance, and design: Notice how choreography, costumes, lighting, and set design work together to tell the story and convey emotion.
Feel and analyze at the same time: Listen to the lyrics, pay attention to the movements and body language, and try to piece together how the story is being built.
Watch for the “I Want Songs”: As noted earlier, these reveal the protagonist’s deepest desires and power the narrative. Spotting them helps you understand the emotional direction of the show.
Don’t overlook secondary characters and the ensemble: They often provide humor, context, contrast, or clarity through gestures, lines, or subtleties within each number.
Notice recurring patterns: Many shows use repeated musical, choreographic, or visual motifs to reinforce themes or emotions. Picking up on them lets you appreciate the show’s internal logic.
Embrace the collective experience: Pay attention to how the rest of the audience reacts and how the show interacts with them. In immersive productions, your perception becomes part of the experience.
Don’t worry about missing details: Sometimes action unfolds simultaneously across different parts of the stage. Shifting your attention around allows you to soak in the show’s richness.
Let yourself be carried by the collective energy: Applauding after a big number or during the curtain call is part of the shared experience.
Having the right tools makes all the difference in how we experience things. In musical theatre, these pointers aren’t strict rules but a guide to enjoying a show in a more personal, intense, and enriching way. After all, no two performances are ever the same—and each one opens the door to fresh interpretations.
By the LETSGO Pen, Claudia Pérez Carbonell, on October 2nd, 2025
