IMPORTANT: Please note that this guidance pertains to the updated 2027 Musical Theatre Syllabus (for exams taken from 1st January 2027 onwards). For guidance relating to the 2021 Musical Theatre Syllabus (for exams taken before 31st December 2026), please see here: Musical Theatre Exams (Solo / Duo) - 2021 SYLLABUS

Definition: Musicals from the classic Broadway period approximately between the years of 1943 and 1959 when song, story and dance became closely integrated. 

Typical features include; large orchestras, memorable melodies, mostly tonal harmony, legit singing and early musical-theatre belt, clearly structured songs, integrated dance and strong storytelling and advancement of character through song. 

Show Examples 

Oklahoma! (Rogers & Hammerstein) 

Male song: Oh, What A Beautiful Morning 

Character: Curly 

Female song: Many A New Day 

Character: Laurey 

My Fair Lady (Lerner & Loewe) 

Male song: On The Street Where You Live 

Character: Freddy 

Female song: Wouldn’t It Be Loverly? 

Character: Eliza 

West Side Story (Bernstein & Sondheim) 

Male song: Something’s Coming 

Character: Tony 

Female song: I Feel Pretty 

Character: Maria 

This genre also encompasses musical movies which were released between the 1930s and 1950s, such as The Wizard of Oz and Singin' in the Rain.