Here are some ways to think about where a musical takes place:
* Setting: This is the most basic answer. Where does the story physically happen? It could be a specific place like:
* A city: New York City (West Side Story), London (Les Miserables), Paris (Moulin Rouge!)
* A country: Spain (The Phantom of the Opera), Japan (Miss Saigon), Ancient Greece (Antigone)
* A specific location: A high school (Grease), A ship (Titanic), A magical forest (Into the Woods)
* Time Period: When does the story take place? This can significantly impact the setting:
* Historical periods: Victorian England (Sweeney Todd), Medieval Times (Camelot), The American Revolution (1776)
* Modern times: Present-day New York City (Rent), The 1980s (The Prom), The 2000s (Hamilton)
* Fantasy worlds: A magical land (Wicked), A futuristic dystopia (The Hunger Games), A realm of dreams (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
* Emotional Landscape: Musicals often create a specific atmosphere:
* Joyful and celebratory: (Mamma Mia!, The Greatest Showman)
* Dark and suspenseful: (Sweeney Todd, Phantom of the Opera)
* Hopeful and inspiring: (Les Miserables, Hamilton)
Ultimately, the setting of a musical is part of what makes it unique and engaging. It's a combination of the physical location, the time period, and the emotional atmosphere.