To the Greeks, their theatER and their theatRE were not only places to debate their civic issues, but also a place to express their wonderment about the universe. A place where they could freely worship the god Dionysus--he of wine and sex and other revelry--not only by attending these plays, but by participating in the festival. Historians tell us that the greek audience was loud and it is perhaps not too much of a stretch to say that they had been drinking since sunup (we DO know that the City Dionysia began at dawn). It was a religious holiday... and eventually a PAID religious holiday, at that. While many would dispute this as being "not worthy of classical civilization", it is far too easy (and naieve) to address this as simply a "primitive" notion of culture. No, for anyone concerned with the future (and ultimately the past) of the theatRE this belief can be seen as key.
Additionally, for those theatre "purists" who think that musicals do not have the potential for true and meaningful theatre, this much is known. One of the most likely origins of theatre involves the recitation of the dithyramb, or "goat song". Likewise, historians know that the choral roles involved were sung and involved dancing. To what extent, we are unsure. Perhaps Wagner was right in saying that in the beginning (of theatre, at the very least), all the arts were one.
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