Final answer:
A Jukebox musical is a musical theatre genre that uses pre-existing songs to create the musical score and tell the story. It differs from traditional musicals that typically feature original music and has become quite popular in Commercial Broadway productions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Jukebox musical is a musical that features pre-existing songs as its score. This style of musical weaves together a collection of previously released popular songs by a particular band or artist, or a compilation of songs from a particular genre, to tell a story. Unlike traditional musical theatre that features original scores written expressly for the narrative, jukebox musicals rely on famous tunes to engage the audience and propel the plot.
Examples of popular jukebox musicals include 'Mamma Mia!' which features the music of ABBA, and 'Jersey Boys' which presents the story of The Four Seasons.
Though jukebox musicals can be seen as a bridge between musical theatre and the vaudeville performances of the past, they bring their own unique presence to the theatrical world. With their pre-existing soundtracks, they often attract fans of the original music, allowing a natural crossover of audiences and introducing new patrons to the wonders of musical theatre.
The success of this genre on Commercial Broadway is a testament to its universal appeal and ability to resonate with diverse audiences.