Audience Quote by Stephen Sondheim
“On stage, generally speaking, the story is stopped or held back by songs, because that's the convention. Audiences enjoy the song and the singer, that's the point.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing Musical Theatre Conventions, 2015
Songs often pause narrative flow because audiences expect and enjoy them, making them a structural convention in theatre.
In simple terms: Songs interrupt the story for audience enjoyment.
Key Takeaway
Embrace songs as a narrative tool, not a hindrance.
Themes
theatre
storytelling
music
audience expectations
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- musical productions
- stage direction
- song placement
- audience analysis
Key Concepts
Narrative pacing
musical structure
convention
Questions to Reflect On
- How can songs advance plot rather than pause it?
- When should a song be omitted for narrative clarity?
A Different Perspective
Songs can dominate and limit deeper plot development if overused.
