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Plays Versus Musicals

10/7/2026 12AM

Civic Theatre's production of the classic musical "Annie" runs Dec. 4-26 at the Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center.


What's the Difference, and Which Is Right for You?

 

Key Takeaways

  • A play tells its story mainly through spoken dialogue, while a musical uses songs, dance and dialogue together to move the plot forward.
  • Plays often suit audiences who enjoy sharp writing, close character study and quieter emotional moments.
  • Musicals tend to appeal to people who love catchy scores, dance numbers and high-energy staging.
  • Musicals still sell most Broadway tickets, but play attendance grew faster last season.
  • The right choice depends on your taste, your company, and the kind of night out you want.
  • Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, offers both plays and musicals this season.

 

You found two shows playing the same weekend. One is billed as “a comedy in two acts.” The other promises a toe-tapping Broadway musical. Both sound fun, so which one gets your money?

 

Knowing the difference between a play and a musical makes that decision a lot easier. Here's what sets them apart and how to pick the right show for your next night at the theater.

 

What Is a Play?

 

A play is a story acted out onstage and driven by the playwright's words. These dramas are meant to be performed in a theater, with actors playing characters and delivering the dialogue written in the script.

 

Theater people sometimes call this a straight play to separate it from musical theater. Music may still show up, such as a song on a radio or a few notes during a scene change, but it stays in the background. The conversation carries the story.

 

Think of Steel Magnolias, Death of a Salesman or The Odd Couple. Shows like these usually offer:

  • Rich, layered dialogue that rewards close listening
  • Smaller casts and simpler sets, in many cases
  • Characters you get to know in depth

 

What Is a Musical?

 

A musical is a blend of theater, music and dance that tells a story. Plays depend mostly on spoken lines, but musicals weave in songs and dance numbers to convey emotion and advance the plot.

 

In a musical, characters sing when talking isn't enough. A ballad might stand in for a confession of love. A full-cast number might capture a whole town’s excitement.

 

Musicals also come in different styles. For example, a book musical features an original story, music and lyrics, while a jukebox musical builds a production around the songs of a particular artist, band or musical style.

 

Play vs. Musical: Key Differences at a Glance

  • Storytelling: Plays rely on dialogue. Musicals combine dialogue, song and dance.
  • Creative team: Musicals typically add a composer, a choreographer, a music director and often a live orchestra or band.
  • Pacing: Plays often unfold at a conversational rhythm, while musicals shift between intimate scenes and big production numbers.
  • Performers: Actors in a play need strong acting and vocal delivery skills, but musical theater performers often must sing, dance and act, sometimes all in the same scene.

 

Are Plays or Musicals More Popular?

 

Musicals still lead the box office, but plays are catching up. During the 2025-26 Broadway season, musicals made up 77% of tickets sold, yet play attendance climbed almost 14% while musical attendance fell 4.7%.

 

Ultimately, audiences want both.

 

Is a Play or a Musical Right for You?

 

A play may be your best bet if you:

  • Love clever writing and quotable lines
  • Prefer stories centered on a handful of characters
  • Want something to discuss over dinner afterward

 

A musical might be the better fit if you:

  • Leave movies humming the soundtrack
  • Enjoy dancing, costumes and big group numbers
  • Plan to bring kids or first-time theatergoers who may enjoy a livelier pace

 

Still torn? See one of each. Plenty of lifelong theater fans started with musicals and found their way to plays, or the other way around.

 

See Plays and Musicals at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts

 

You don't have to travel to New York for great live theater. Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, is home to six Resident Companies, including Civic Theatre and Actors Theatre of Indiana.

 

Upcoming shows include:

 

Browse our full lineup and grab tickets for your next night out.

 

Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization that aims to engage and inspire the Indiana community through enriching arts experiences. We are responsible for the operation and programming of a multidisciplinary performing arts campus in Carmel, Indiana, that presents scores of events each year. We provide space and support services for six resident companies: Actors Theatre of Indiana, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Civic Theatre, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, and Indiana Wind Symphony. Explore our upcoming events and experiences, or support our work and the expansion of the arts today!