Musical Theater Jargon

[Lot666]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 2:38pm

Please help me settle a difference of opinion by defining the terms "book", "libretto", and "lyrics" as used in musical theater parlance.

[LYLS36372]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 2:41pm

As I was taught, the book is just the spoken dialogue. The lyrics are just the words to the songs while the libretto is the combining of both to show the complete work from start to finish. 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 2:42pm

^ This (more or less)

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 2:42pm

Updated On: 5/5/17 at 02:42 PM

[Lot666]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 3:01pm

Liza's Headband said: "^ This (more or less)"

What distinction are you suggesting by "more or less"? My understanding was that the book is the story (i.e., the plot), the lyrics are the song words, and the libretto is the lyrics with stage directions. Can anyone clarify?

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 3:15pm

LYLS36372 said: "As I was taught, the book is just the spoken dialogue. The lyrics are just the words to the songs while the libretto is the combining of both to show the complete work from start to finish. 

 

These are the definitions I have always gone by, though I include stage directions as part of the book. 

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 3:18pm

Lot666 said: "the libretto is the lyrics with stage directions. Can anyone clarify?"

I have always known the libretto as the lyrics + stage directions + spoken dialogue. (In a sung-through musical, obviously just the lyrics + stage directions)

 

[LYLS36372]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 3:19pm

Lot666 said: "Liza's Headband said: "^ This (more or less)"

What distinction are you suggesting by "more or less"? My understanding was that the book is the story (i.e., the plot), the lyrics are the song words, and the libretto is the lyrics with stage directions. Can anyone clarify?

 

No-- the book includes the actual spoken, unsung dialogue (with some stage direction, if applicable-- thanks TheGingerBreadMan) while the libretto combines the book with the lyrics for the complete "script"

 

Updated On: 5/5/17 at 03:19 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 3:22pm

"Lyrics" are words set to music.  "Libretto" is generally regarded as the full text of dialogue and lyrics (without musical notation) as previously described, but over the last three or four decades, is a term more often reserved for operas or sung-through musicals, or in publishing.  "Book" has evolved to be more than just the spoken dialogue in musical theatre and now may include the narrative structure of a revue or be interchangeable with "libretto" for sung-through musicals with respect to awards, credits and casual parlance.

Updated On: 5/5/17 at 03:22 PM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 3:27pm

Mister Matt nailed it.

An important point I wish more people knew is that a show's book is certainly not its spoken dialogue. After all, it would make no sense for a show like Hamilton to win the Tony for it. A show's "book" is effectively its narrative structure.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 5:12pm

Yes, Mister Matt is exactly right. This is why we need a "like" button.

[Lot666]

Posted: 5/7/17 at 4:53pm

So when a cast recording comes with a booklet insert that contains stage directions, dialog, and lyrics, is that referred to as the libretto and book, interchangeably?