Theater music refers to the musical compositions created for performances in live theater productions. This genre includes songs, instrumental pieces, and background scores that enhance the storytelling and emotional impact of a play or musical. It can range from orchestral arrangements to simple piano accompaniments, depending on the style and setting of the production. In musicals, theater music is often integral to the narrative, with characters expressing their thoughts and feelings through song. Famous examples include works by composers like Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose scores have become iconic in the world of theater.