The Conclusion

 

These three musicals show the indepth use of religion as both a forefront and auxilliary theme in musical and theatrical pop-culture. However these are not the only musicals to explore religious themes. Musicals such as "Godspell", "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", "The Lion King", "Les Miserables",... and many more deal with religious context and sub-context. With such a strong presence in musical theatre it is evident that even if religion on broadway became so prevalent because it plays a part in real life culture, religious musical theatre has become a new testament to new generations that uses visual and musical arts to stimulate conversation about theological concepts. Even in cases where religion is used as an organic element in the development of plot, its presence demonstrates the extent to which religion has become engraned in our society, and how cultural artifacts and popular culture is influcenced by its presence.

 

Musical theatre explores the tough and the gritty, as well as the good in theological debate and the religious community. The question is, can you hear the music?