What is the purpose of an overture in a Broadway musical?

The purpose of an overture in a Broadway musical is to set the tone and atmosphere of the musical and prepare the audience for what is to come. Typically written for an orchestra, it gives audiences a taste of the musical numbers and themes of the show's score, usually lasting between one to several minutes. It's meant to provide an overture, or broad musical introduction, to the story and characters while creating anticipation and excitement in the audience before the musical itself begins. Additionally, the overture also establishes musical motifs and recurring melodies from the show's songs. These musical motifs or themes will often return at significant moments throughout the story. The overall goal of an overture is to provide a dynamic musical intro to establish the show's musical and thematic soundscape right from the start of the production.