A concept musical is a work of musical theatre with a book and score structured to develop and embody a theme or message, rather than convey a narrative plot.
The form was popularized by Man of La Mancha (1965), Cabaret (1966), and Hair (1967), with Company (1970) paving the way for bolder concept musicals.
The careers of producer-director Harold Prince, composer Stephen Sondheim, and director-choreographer Bob Fosse are all closely associated with the genre.