Musicals are, by nature, theatrical, meaning poetic, meaning having to move the audience's imagination and create a suspension of disbelief, by which I mean there's no fourth wall.

The quote "Musicals are, by nature, theatrical, meaning poetic, meaning having to move the audience's imagination and create a suspension of disbelief, by which I mean there's no fourth wall" by Stephen Sondheim captures the essence of what makes musicals unique in the world of theater. Sondheim suggests that musicals transcend the boundaries of traditional theater because they engage the audience in a more immersive and emotionally impactful way. Theatrical performances are meant to evoke feelings and thoughts beyond what is literally happening on stage, relying on poetic elements like music, lyrics, and choreography to engage the audience's senses and emotions.

Sondheim further explains that musicals require the audience to exercise their imagination. Unlike other forms of theater where the focus may be on realism or naturalistic performances, musicals ask the audience to suspend their disbelief. This concept refers to the willingness of the audience to accept the fantastical elements of a musical—such as characters suddenly breaking into song or dance—as part of the story, despite it being outside the realm of everyday reality. The lack of a fourth wall, in this case, means that the audience is invited to be a part of the experience, acknowledging that they are witnessing something beyond the ordinary.

The origin of this quote stems from Sondheim's deep understanding of the theater and his mastery of the musical genre. As a composer and lyricist known for his innovative and often complex musicals, Sondheim saw the unique role that musicals play in bridging the gap between reality and imagination. He viewed the medium as a place where reality could be stretched and enhanced through music and performance, creating an environment where emotions and stories could be told in ways that other genres of theater could not.

In essence, Sondheim’s quote emphasizes that the theatrical nature of musicals relies on the active participation of the audience’s imagination. It’s a genre that challenges the boundaries between reality and fantasy, asking the audience to embrace the poetic nature of performance and willingly enter a world where the usual constraints of theater are lifted. By eliminating the fourth wall, musicals invite the audience into a shared, fantastical experience that is essential to their emotional and artistic power.