Bryan, I agree with everything you've said, and would offer a clarification:

Musicals get video taped in a variety of situations. Sometimes, it's for the purposes of making DVDs available to cast, crew, parents, friends, etc. Sometimes it's to make an archival record for the producing entity. Sometimes it's for later broadcast and/or distribution.

Each is going to result in a different approach to the shoot.

My posts in this thread addressed only archival recording and/or subsequent broadcast and distribution and relate, primarily, to professional stage productions. For videos of amateur and school productions, where the intent is to create a saleable keepsake for those involved, all bets are off and I have no opinion whatsoever -- as with wedding videos, the event videographer knows what works. I certainly don't. I consider myself an expert on musical theater. I do not, in the least, consider myself even remotely competent when it comes to professional videography.

I'm just finishing up editing a small ballet production of The Sleeping Beauty. Since many people only think of the Disney movie when they here the title the director was nice enough to outline the story and summarize what happened in each act in the program. During the overture I have the story showing in front of the curtain so that the music coincides with the words for each act. That way the viewer will have an idea of what is going on and can associate each act with the music they are listening to.

Doesn't work for every situation but it worked out for this one.

Garrett,
I have always wanted to shoot "Sleeping Beauty" and Swan Lake," two of my favorites. Kudos on getting to shoot that and I am glad it worked out for you. I am looking forward to some additional theater shoots but in my area there is not much demand for it these days...but I do what I can to change that.

Paul, you are so spot on about the audience determines the finished piece but I think you really brought up some great points that are universal regardless of output. Thanks for taking time to share your experience with us.