There is no one way to make a musical. Nor is there a limit to the stories one can tell on the musical stage. But there remains an art to musical storytelling, realized in the middle of the 20th century, and not to be confused with the nonexistent rules of musical theatre. Analysis, based on objective observation and a practical and historical understanding the maturation of the art form and the established standards of excellence in musical storytelling, is critical to assessing quality and effectiveness of material and production, and to the betterment of artists and shows. Below is an abbreviated list of questions one might ask when analyzing a stage musical. It is not comprehensive, and the answer to every question need not necessarily be “yes” to yield an exceptional product.

• Does the show have a distinct, individual character? A cohesive style?
• Do the book, lyrics, and music share a singular point of view?
• Is the language of storytelling established at the start?
• Does the show have a sustained dramatic charge? A sustained tension? A sustained momentum?
• Does each moment build upon the preceding moment?
• Are the plot points effectively kept in play throughout the proceedings?
• Are the characters effectively kept in play throughout the proceedings?
• Does the dialogue delineate character?
• Are the characters, relationships, and settings clearly, efficiently, and organically introduced?
• Does the dialogue effectively and deliberately build into and out of song?
• Does the emotional pitch of each song cue naturally complement and support the literal and emotional pitch of the top of each song? And vice versa.
• Does each song have a reason for being, a dramatic purpose, a dramatic charge, a continuous lyrical and musical progression, a theatrical shape?
• Is there a clear progression of the lyrical thoughts, moment to moment, line to line?
• Do the melodic climaxes match the lyrical climaxes? Does the lyric properly and naturally scan with the melody? Do the lyrical phrases align with the musical phrases?
• Does the style of music support the lyric and the moment in the story?
• If there are mode shifts within a song, are they supported, deliberate, purposeful, propulsive?
• Do the lyrics and music independently and together exude character?
• Does the lyric have either perfectly rhymed or deliberately free lines (i.e. no false rhymes)?
• Does the lyric, if a list, continuously top itself?
• Does the lyric effectively extend dialogue if designed to do so?
• Does the music (phrases, melody, rhythm) match and support the moments of lyrical attack?
• Does the arrangement and or orchestration help to push the song forward?
• Does the arrangement compliment and support the vocal?
• In the arrangement, do the musical fills allude to specific lyrics?
• Do the transitions pick up the energy from one scene and set up the emotional pitch of the next? Are they efficient, deliberate, and seamless?
• Is each song individual such that it individualizes and distinguishes its respective moment? Do they vary in style while still contributing to a cohesive soundscape?
• Does each song have its own way of ending, thus further individualizing each moment?