HELP - Why do YOU like musicals so much?

They are so "musical"

Seriously, songs sometimes do better telling a story or explaining a character than the written word.

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It is also amazing that , done correctly, you can musicalize almost anything.

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I love musicals because:
1) It happens to be the music I find most appealing. I tend to like even genres of music I don't usually like (re: country, rap) if it's done within the context of a show. I also do enjoy actually hearing lyrics set to an exciting, pretty, or dramatic melody.

2)In the theater, I think nothing expresses emotion quite like a song. That chill that all musical theater fans know and love- it is MUCH harder to come by in any other medium, as far as I'm concerned.

3)Musical theater lyrics can be as beautiful as poetry.

4)Musicals are just entertaining

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The characters are very relateable in many cases and for me singing is my way of letting off steem and relieving stress. And as of now many of the songs written in the musical theatre universe help me express feelings I otherwise wouldnt maybe be able to say if that makes any sense. I feel strong connections in the lyrics no matter what the actual context of the show may be. I feel like many times there will be lyrics in various musical theatre songs that define me and who I am and what I want from life.

Edit: Male 19 yrs old

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Updated On: 11/19/08 at 06:31 PM

I was also born into it. Like 40% of my family are actors.

I've always appreciated that musicals combine virtually all of the arts together in one package. It's great to see lots of different talents in different areas all working towards the same goal.

Also, I like that musicals are forced by their length to explore themes and ideas in depth with their music. I always appreciate the depth of the larger picture of a musical, and sometimes have issues with more popular music which is trying to get across an idea, since I feel a single song cannot explore an idea fully or with any real significance. Basically, a musical could provide a lot of examples and make a detailed argument about something like the horrors of war, whereas a single song would be like "Yeah! Killing people sucks! End war forever!" which I feel does not acknowledge the depth or complexity of the issue. Which isn't to say I'm against songs expressing opinions and difficult ideas, god knows it's better than some mindless crap about how great it is to sleep with a million women a day, I just think musicals can be more successful in exploring something more complex and nuanced, and are therefore more interesting and rewarding to listen to.

ETA: Male, 18

Updated On: 11/18/08 at 07:10 PM

These are all great please keep them coming!
Thanks so much.

Also I forgot to add on the original post - could you please let me know your gender and age if you reply.

Thanks

Michael

I like them because they are like a magical version of life. they take life and focus on the beauty and optimism of it. even when they're tragic, they're still hopeful just by their existence. plus it takes all different aspects (music, story, characters, themes, dance, visuals) and brings them together in a visceral and exciting and LIVE way (when they're good, anyway).

because it reminds me what's really important in life.

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I love musicals because there is usually going to be at least one song that will blow you away, where the whole cast is involved. It's almost like the gates of heaven opening up. It's the only place you can experience that.

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Anyone else?

The more the merrier

Thanks to everyone who has contributed
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Musicals are heightened reality. The best of them take what is human and true in us all ... and add artistic perception, imagination and insight.

Plus an 11 o'clock number!

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