What Makes A Good Musical?

There’s just something about that moment when the curtain begins to open for the first time.

You know that you’re about to embark on a musical adventure that might make you laugh, cry, ponder, or some combination of all three.

These things are what makes musical theatre so magical.

But what makes a good musical? Is it the music itself? Is it the ensemble cast? Or is it something else entirely?

Typically, there are a lot of moving parts in each and every production, and collectively their efforts are what make musicals not just good — but great.

In this post, we’re going to give some love to some of the aspects that make musical theatre a must for those in San Diego and indeed all around the globe.

Ready to experience the wonder for yourself? Take a look at some of our upcoming San Diego Broadway shows right here at SDMT, and get your tickets today!

The Crowd

Think about all of your favorite musicals. While you may enjoy sitting all alone while blasting the soundtrack, seeing it in person is a more transformative experience entirely.

Why is that? It could be because of the people. Sitting in a crowded theatre or auditorium full of engaged audience members, each of whom are on the edge of their seat right along with you, is really something to behold in and of itself.

There’s something to be said about going to any performance with a group of people who all feel their own unique relationship with the performance.

That’s why having a good crowd is one part of having a good musical.

The Cast

Casting is a crucial element of any musical theatre production, whether it’s a pre-professional show or a large-scale Broadway musical.

Finding the right singers, dancers, and stage actors for each and every role is an art in and of itself. In many cases, the casting directors are the unsung heroes of each great musical.

The Music

The orchestra is another unsung part of the production which literally brings the stage to life. With each and every note, the music conveys a sense of happiness, sadness, dread, or whatever else might be going on in the production at that time.

You simply can’t have good musical theatre without good music.

The Scenery

Arguably one of the most overlooked elements of musical theatre is the background that we see during each performance.

While many audience members might take it for granted, there are hundreds of hours that go into creating the striking visual elements for the set, many of which transport you to another place altogether.

The Stage Hands

Of course, nothing could really be accomplished without a good set of stage hands. Heck, without the help of the behind-the-scenes workers, the curtains would never even draw in the first place!

Every good musical has a set of stage hands who are as dedicated and as hardworking as the performers themselves.

The Atmosphere

There’s no better local way to see Broadway than at the San Diego Musical Theatre.

Our performances take place at the historic Horton Grand Theatre, an intimate 240-seat theatre which brings high-quality professional productions to life all year long.

If you’re looking for a good musical, then you’re looking for our San Diego Broadway shows. Get your tickets today and enjoy the show!