types of musical theater titles: a non-comprehensive list
1. just the character’s name
examples: Anastasia, Annie, Evita, Hamilton, Oliver!, Pippin, Sweeney Todd
often seen when: the main character is either royalty or deeply socially disadvantaged; their struggles play out on an epic, mythic, and/or archetypical scale. The musical tracks the character’s rise/fall (or both).
2. the character’s title, but not their name
examples: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Fiddler on the Roof, Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Waitress
often seen when: the titular character is marginalized due to an aspect of their identity.
examples: A Bronx Tale, Chicago, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Memphis, West Side Story
often seen when: the story involves systemically disadvantaged characters.
4. metaphorical/double meaning
examples: Bare, Falsettos, Next to Normal, Rent, Spring Awakening
often seen when: focus is on complex relationships between characters. Drama is created not so much by external events, but by shifting dynamics between complicated people. The genre is usually tragedy.
5. includes but is not limited to main character’s name
examples: Dear Evan Hansen, Hello, Dolly!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Sunday in the Park with George
often seen when: to a greater extent than usual, almost all the characters are brought together because of the main character’s actions. Supporting characters may be very well-developed, but their presence ultimately revolves around the main, who is often a deeply polarizing figure.
6. seems to refer to main character, but actually applies to multiple people
examples: Hamilton, The Lion King, Sunday in the Park with George, Waitress, Wicked
often seen when: supporting characters are well-developed and complex, holding almost as much weight as the leads. The story usually operates on a multi-generational timescale.
examples: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
often seen when:Â adapting a classic story with a modern, often comedic twist.
examples: 13, 1776, 9 to 5, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
often seen when: the plot features a rich ensemble cast without a clear main character.
examples: A Chorus Line, Les Misérables, The Producers
often seen when: the show makes a sweeping statement about a certain profession, social class, or way of life.
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