I find it difficult to fully enjoy musical theatre songs if I don't know the storyline of the show they are from as well as the context.

I can memorize great swathes of dialogue!

Of course I can appreciate the musicality of the pieces and sometimes the lyrics are generic enough to be listened to without reference, but I often feel cheated if I don't know what the hell is making this person burst out into song.

I find it difficult to fully enjoy musical theatre songs if I don't know the storyline of the show they are from as well as the context.

Frankly I don't listen to lyrics (a problem in that I apparently work in musical theatre) I just want a good tune that doesn't require the use of too much grey matter.