Life is a Song...

What is the appeal of musicals? It seems that at some point or other every topic imaginable has been used in or turned completely into a musical. Most TV shows at some point create a musical episode (usually with really lame songs done in an overly campy manner). I recently found out that there is even a musical about the only person  in America to be convicted of cannibalism (and I have plans to go see it soon too)! Some have tackled some really serious topics and helped present them in a light more easily stomached for the general audience, such as Rent. Some have been done mostly just for fun (and for the cult following), such as Rocky Horror. Wicked is a musical done as a horribly botched-up rendition of the book. And on and on and on. But again, what is the appeal? No one in real life bursts out in song during a fight, during dinner, during sex, or even during work. Well, at least not to sing a narrative of the story line... I do know people who burst out singing all the time. But that adds spice, not a necessary cue for the audience. Oh well, I guess I don't know why musicals continue to be so popular. Maybe I'll figure it out while watching Cannibal as the blood starts spilling in time to a song...