If It MUST Be Either Or:
Let's be real, when it comes to choosing a musical or a play, one is not better than the other. One might be more preferred by some than the other, but there is plenty to recommend both. The important thing is that you and your family or date have the theater event that you want.
Musicals Are Better :
OK, I've already said musicals are not better, but go with me. Why would someone who thinks musicals are better think that way? Simple: It's the music.
Music can touch us in places we didn't know we had places. Music and lyrics can express a thought, action, or emotion in a way that uniquely communicates to us.
Music can make a performance accessible to those who might not even know they like theater – including young children.
Just the Facts :
Musicals tend to be more active. There tends to be more going on. There is a feeling of connected segments, each leading to the next, that draws us through and entertains us.
Of course, for musical comedies the sets and costumes tend to be bigger, brighter, more engaging.
Choose for Your Group :
Even in choosing a musical over a play, you need to be sensitive to choose the appropriate musical.
Spring Awakening is about teenagers, but it is not a musical for children. The book for The Little Mermaid was written by a Pulitzer Prize winner, but it is a musical for children.
You can get a snap shot of current Broadway shows (and some that have closed) on this site. Check the shows out before making a selection. Make sure everyone who goes with you will enjoy it.
Plays Are Better :
OK, plays are not better, but if they were, here's why they would be.
There is a connection between playwright, actor, and audience that is achieved by few other arts. In the silences, in the subtle movements of the performers, in the nuanced language of the writer, a play is a living thing on stage unfolding in real time right before your eyes. It's breathtaking.
The actor can allow us to share the experiences of the character. The playwright can take us on a journey, discovering in each beat of the performance, the heart of the characters.
Just the Facts :
Some believe theater, plays in particular, to be our oldest art form. Certainly drama has been in process of serious development for the longest period of time.
What attracts us to plays often is the same thing that draws us to the movies. We want to see a human drama unfold or a comedic plot played out for laughs. We want to be entertained or moved. But there is something indefinable about that entertainment being played out live in front of you.
Choose for Your Group :
As with musicals, there are all kinds of plays. Many dramas are unrelentingly intense. Many comedies will have you gasping for breath as you laugh. Many plays are both poignant and funny.
Be sure to choose the work that accomplishes what you want with your group. It's OK to see an intense drama, even if someone doesn't particularly like drama, so long as they're open to it. Trust me, the actors will draw them in. But it would be unwise to take someone to a drama who really had no interest or isn't ready.
An evening at the theater should build on previous evenings and lay a foundation for more enjoyment in the future.
The Bottom Line :
Know your group. Know your options. Research what's available. Choose a work that your group will enjoy. And, if they are willing, choose one that might challenge them.
A final thought: If your schedule allows, always take a bit of time afterward to go get a soft drink or cup of coffee and talk about the performance you've seen. You will be amazed at the insights shared.