Have you ever listened to a song and realized you had never really paid attention to the lyrics? This goes beyond simply mishearing the lyrics. Who hasn’t sung the wrong lyrics from time to time, right? This involves not truly understanding what the song is about. That’s how you end up singing something inappropriate at a bar mitzvah.

Here are some songs from musicals that will make you say “”Wait, THAT’S what that is about?”

Related: Top 10 Broadway Musicals You’ve Never Heard Of

10 “Edelweiss”–The Sound of Music

When The Sound of Music premiered on Broadway in 1959, the world instantly fell in love with Maria and the singing von Trapp kids. Nearly every song has entered the American vernacular—the titular opening, “Do Re Mi,” “So Long, Farewell,” and one kid-free tune: “Edelweiss.”

“Edelweiss” comes at a turning point in the show. Captain von Trapp has previously disapproved of his childrens’ singing, but when he hears his daughter playing the song, he’s moved. “Edelweiss” is meant to represent the Captain’s home country of Austria, as the edelweiss is a small white flower found in the Alps.

Over the years, rumors have spread that “Edelweiss” is an old Austrian folk tune or even the country’s national anthem. But Oscar Hammerstein II biographer Hugh Fordin says that even though “Edelweiss” was widely believed to be an old Austrian song, Hammerstein composed it for The Sound of Music.^[1]

9 “With You”–Pippin

From weddings to proposals, “With You” from Pippin has been used for years as a profession of love. On the surface, the lyrics do seem to point to a beautiful ballad meant for a loved one. Pippin claims his life would be “Twice as fair” if he could share his days with his girlfriend.

Except he’s not singing the song to his girlfriend. The scene is actually a huge orgy—Pippin weaves through women, comedically singing about “you” to dozens of women. The lyrics are meant to be humorously ironic, highlighting Pippin’s lack of commitment and genuine affection.

So unless you’re in an open marriage, probably leave this one out of the wedding reception.^[2]

8 “All You Wanna Do”–Six

There are thousands of songs with dark messages that are overlooked as such due to their poppy tempos or catchy refrains. Think about “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People, which is actually about a school shooter. Or “Hey Ya” by Outkast, which, despite its upbeat meter, is about how love never really lasts.

In 2020, “All You Wanna Do” from Six the musical went viral on TikTok. Six tells the story of the six wives of Henry XIII from their point of view. “All You Wanna Do” is sung by Katherine Howard, Henry’s fifth wife, and details the history of how they met. On TikTok, people danced to the groovy title lyrics as Katherine talks about how all men want to do is have sex with her. This is already kind of sad. But if you listen to the whole song and not just the danceable parts, it gets even darker.

Katherine relays her first romance with her tutor: “He was 23 / And I was 13 going on 30!” And it doesn’t get better from there. As Katherine sings about her past boyfriends, the song ends with, “All you wanna do, baby / Is touch me, when will enough be enough?”

I’m not sure the kids on TikTok can really relate to that on a personal level. At least, I hope not.^[3]

7 “Not While I’m Around”–Sweeney Todd

“Nothing’s gonna hurt you / Not while I’m around” are the opening lyrics of this song from Sweeney Todd. Young Toby is held by his surrogate mother, Mrs. Lovett, as he protectively lets her know that he will do whatever it takes to shelter her from harm.

Sounds sweet, right? Not really. Lurking in the background of the show is Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber. Toby doesn’t know it, but at the moment, Sweeney is on a rampage, ready to kill anyone in his path (Spoiler alert: including Mrs. Lovett and Toby. And himself.) The song is meant to be ironic and sad, showing Toby’s innocence in contrast to literally every single other character’s murderous rages.^[4]

6 “Hope”–Groundhog Day

While this song may not be as popular outside of the theater community as other songs on this list, it’s the perfect example of a song that is significant only within the show itself.

Based on the Bill Murray movie of the same name, Groundhog Day follows jaded reporter Phil as he is forced to relive February 2nd over and over and over again. Both the movie and musical are humorous but have darker themes lying beneath them. One of the most jarring parts of the plot is after Phil decides he is done sleeping around, eating whatever he wants, and generally being a menace with no repercussions. Instead, he opts to kill himself.

It doesn’t work. He wakes up the next day and tries to kill himself again. In the musical, this happens during the song “Hope.” With lyrics like “Never give up hope / Never let yourself be defeated,” it’s easy to read this as an optimistic anthem. In reality, each chorus of the song shows Phil finding a new way to commit suicide, from dropping a toaster in the bathtub to jumping off a building.

The song ends with “Hold on to your faith / You may wanna live / But baby don’t give up hope,” revealing Phil’s true meaning was to keep hoping one day the suicide will work.^[5]

5 “You Will Be Found”–Dear Evan Hansen

“Have you ever felt like nobody was there?” is the opening line of this song from the musical Dear Evan Hansen.

Apparently, a lot of Christians feel that way because as soon as Dear Evan Hansen premiered on Broadway in 2016, “You Will Be Found” became an instant religious classic. The song skyrocketed from theater kids’ playlists right into public thanks to performances from Brigham Young University’s acapella group and other religious congregations.

The message of “You Will Be Found” is right there in the title. “Even when the dark comes crashing through, when you need someone to carry you,” main character Evan Hansen sings an uplifting tune. Or is he?

The person Evan is singing about isn’t himself, but a boy named Connor who recently killed himself. Evan wishes that everyone could be found, but Connor never had someone care about him the way Evan describes. It’s a heartbreaking lament about suicide, not a cheery little ditty to sing at church.^[6]

4 “What I Did for Love”–A Chorus Line

One of the most influential Broadway musicals of all time (and the seventh-longest-running Broadway show ever), A Chorus Line is noted for its lack of plot. The show consists of a chorus line of dancers telling their stories to a casting director, each one hoping to be hired. Through song, monologue, and dance, each performer is given a moment to shine.

“What I Did For Love” has become a part of popular culture thanks to artists like Bing Crosby, Aretha Franklin, and Josh Groban recording the song for albums. Out of context, the song sounds sweet: “As we travel on / Love’s what we’ll remember.” But the refrain “I can’t regret / What I did for love” doesn’t refer to a person; rather, it’s meant to convey the performer’s passion for dance and her reaction if she could never dance again.

It’s a song of intense suffering as the dancer recalls how she has poured her entire life and career into something that could be taken from her at any time. Some have even interpreted the song’s lyrics to be referencing the casting couch, a euphemism for performing sexual acts in exchange for a job. This was especially rampant in the 1970s when the show premiered.

Either way—it’s not about romantic love.^[7]

3 “My Favorite Things”–The Sound of Music

Okay, this song is pretty straightforward. So why is it on this list? Well, people not very familiar with musical theater have probably still heard this song on the radio in December. For some reason, “My Favorite Things” has become associated with the holiday season. Anyone listening to the lyrics “Warm woolen mittens / Brown paper packages tied up with strings” and mention of sleigh bells might assume that within the show, it’s Christmas morning or Eve.

In reality, this isn’t the case. “My Favorite Things” is sung by governess Maria to her children after they are frightened by a thunderstorm. It’s a sweet song that has gained international acclaim, but it has nothing to do with winter or Christmas.^[8]

2 “Everything’s Coming Up Roses”–Gypsy

This song has been referenced in everything from The Simpsons to The Muppets” but rarely with the original intent of the song.

The main character of the musical Gypsy is a stage mother who, halfway through the show, learns her talented youngest daughter has eloped. In a fit of rage and mania, she sings “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” to express her desire to have her older daughter, Louise, become a star instead. The title and refrain are a pun on the stage mother’s name, Rose. Thus, “roses” represent rose flowers and happiness, but also herself. Everything will come up Rose’s way.

Despite the big, brass notes and fun lyrics, the song isn’t triumphant or as happy as it seems. Ethel Merman biographer Brian Kellow says that the song is often misunderstood, as it’s meant to be a “chilling illustration of blind ambition with megalomania.”^[9]

1 “Cabaret”–Cabaret

The titular song of this tour-de-force of a show is quite famous thanks to stars like Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, and Judi Dench’s recorded renditions. Within the show, the song is sung by Sally Bowles, a pregnant former cabaret star. Out of context, the lyrics seem to be praising the joys of humanity: “Life is a cabaret old chum, come to the cabaret!”

The song has been used in movies and TV shows for years, usually as a delightful little ditty. But that’s not what the song is about. Sally isn’t happy at all—she’s coming to terms with the rise of Nazism in her home city of Berlin. Rather than addressing the emerging politics of the 1930s, she makes a vow to live her life in ignorance, having fun wherever she can. This includes making sure she’s unattached to her baby’s father, so the song ends with her deciding to get an abortion. In some stagings, such as the most recent Broadway revival, this is depicted through Sally punching herself in the stomach multiple times.

Unsurprisingly, the Louis Armstrong version of the song chose to leave those lyrics out.^[10]

It isn’t often that Broadway and pop culture meet. How many regular people do you know who can name three musicals on Broadway right now?

But these songs did the impossible. Thanks to great lyrics, catchy tunes, and some famous covers (mostly by Frank Sinatra), here are ten iconic songs most people don’t know started as show tunes.

Related: Top 10 Broadway Flops That Actually Aren’t That Bad

10 “We Need a Little Christmas”—Mame

One of the multiple Christmas songs you may not have known is from musicals, “We Need a Little Christmas,” takes the cake for most surprising. Sure, not everyone knows that “White Christmas” is from the Broadway musical of the same name, but even less know that “We Need a Little Christmas” actually originated with the Jerry Herman musical Mame.

Within the show, the song is sung when Mame Dennis, a New York City sophisticate, learns that her fortune has been lost in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. She sings to her nephew that they “need a little Christmas” in order to cheer up from the depressing thoughts of their next few years.

Now, it may be sung about needing to cheer up from holiday family parties with the in-laws.^[1]

9 “You’ll Never Walk Alone”—Carousel

One of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most controversial shows, Carousel is a sweeping epic love story between carousel barker Billy and mill worker Julie. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is sung by Julie’s best friend, Nettie, after Julie learns her husband has killed himself. Despite this sad background, it is an uplifting tune about friendship and love that has exploded out of the musical theater world and into football games.

Liverpool Football Club adopted the song as its anthem after the success of a 1963 recording by local Liverpool group Gerry and the Pacemakers. The song’s title is the club motto and is even included on their coat of arms.

Since then, the song has become almost spiritual, with Elvis Presley recording a gospel version in 1967, which was used in support of COVID-19 doctors and nurses in 2020.^[2]

8 “My Funny Valentine”—Babes in Arms

No, Frank Sinatra didn’t write this song, though he certainly did popularize it.

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart wrote “My Funny Valentine” for their 1937 musical Babes in Arms, a coming-of-age story about a group of teenagers who must put on a show to avoid being sent to a work farm (don’t question it, it was the ’30s.)

Though the lyrics seem clever on their own, as the singer (within the show, a girl named Billie) mocks their love’s bad looks but lets them know they shouldn’t “Change a hair for me / Not if you care for me,” affirming their true affection. As an added little bonus for those who know the show, Billie is singing to her crush, Valentine. That’s right, the song isn’t about Valentine’s Day, but an actual person with that name!

While other artists such as Harpo Marx, Elvis Costello, and Miles Davis have recorded the song, it was Sinatra’s version in 1955 that pushed “My Funny Valentine” into the public consciousness.^[3]

7 “I Feel Pretty”—West Side Story

Even though West Side Story is one of those musicals everyone seems to know, anyone who hasn’t actually sat down and seen the show or watched the movie may be surprised to learn that the classic little ditty “I Feel Pretty” is from the modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

From Sesame Street to Friends, the song has been featured or parodied in media for years, to the point where many people don’t know it originated with West Side Story. The simple lyrics “I feel pretty / Oh so pretty / I feel pretty and witty and bright” are enjoyable even out of the context of the show and are a popular choice for talent shows or choirs.

Composer Stephen Sondheim has said that “I Feel Pretty” is actually his least favorite of all the songs he’s written. According to him, not only does the song disrupt the dramatic momentum of the show, but he’s criticized himself for including lyrics that sound good but are not necessarily words that a young woman learning English would know.^[4]

6 “Edelweiss”—The Sound of Music

Most people have seen the classic 1965 movie musical The Sound of Music. But for those who haven’t, it may come as a shock to hear that the sweet song “Edelweiss” is from this Rogers and Hammerstein show.

In the context of the show, “Edelweiss” is sung by Captain von Trapp as a sentimental goodbye to his homeland of Austria, as he is being forced out by the impending Nazis. “Edelweiss” is a simple but sweet tune that does such a good job of sounding like an old Austrian folk song many people actually believe it is. There are even rumors that the song used to be the national anthem of Austria. This isn’t true. The song was written over 10 years after the end of World War II, and while the edelweiss flower is still a symbol of Austria, it’s only thanks to the musical.^[5]

5 “The Lady Is a Tramp”—Babes in Arms

This is the second song on this list to come from the 1937 musical Babes in Arms. Arguably even more famous than “My Funny Valentine,” “The Lady Is a Tramp” was made famous by Frank Sinatra’s recording in the 1950s.

The song inspired the title of Walt Disney’s The Lady and the Tramp and has been parodied by the Spice Girls, Glee, Star Trek, and more. It recently regained popularity thanks to Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s duet version in 2011, which topped charts in the UK and Japan.^[6]

4 “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

Okay, this one isn’t from a musical, but it was originally written for one.

Much has been said about the history of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Most famous, Meat Loaf openly complained that composer Jim Steinman had originally written the song for him, not Tyler. Steinman had previously written for Meat Loaf’s breakout hit album Bat Out of Hell, to great success. However, newfound fame did not treat Meat Loaf well, and Steinman was allegedly advised to leave Meat Loaf and find a new singer to write for.

So Steinman paired up with Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, reusing one of his old songs that was meant for a musical version of Nosferatu. Though ultimately the musical never materialized, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” was originally meant to be a vampire love song. Steinman says, “If anyone listens to the lyrics, they’re really like vampire lines. It’s all about the darkness, the power of darkness, and love’s place in the dark.”

According to Tyler, that’s why the music video is shot in a gothic former asylum. They were trying to keep creepy vampire vibes within the song, even though it was no longer part of a larger plot.^[7]

3 “One Night in Bangkok”—Chess

“One Night in Bangkok” is particularly interesting because it really doesn’t work or make sense outside of the context of the show. But somehow, it still became a hit, even though the show didn’t.

Chess the musical started in 1984 as a concept album by Tim Rice and ABBA composers Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. The plot revolves around a chess game during the Cold War, with a Soviet on one side and an American on the other. Unfortunately, when the show transferred to Broadway in 1988, it was a financial flop, losing $6.6 million.

However, one song broke through to the mainstream. “One Night in Bangkok” is a testament to the Thai city’s reputation as the place to be for nightlife and adventure (and chess). While the choruses describe Bangkok as exciting and inspiring, the Americans in the show claim the city is “muddy” and less interesting than a game of chess.

In a turn of events no one could have predicted, the single version of the song topped the charts in countries around the world, including South Africa, The Netherlands, Australia, and the United States. Interestingly, “One Night in Bangkok” is banned in Thailand itself, as it is deemed to “cause misunderstanding about Thai society and show disrespect towards Buddhism.”^[8]

2 “Send in the Clowns”—A Little Night Music

Often hailed as one of the saddest songs ever written, “Send in the Clowns” is a heartbreaking admission of being defeated by life. “Isn’t it rich / Aren’t we a pair” kicks off the number, which comes directly after the main character, Desiree, is rejected by the man who chased her throughout her youth. Now that she’s ready to settle down, her ex is already married with a child.

The forced joviality in the lyrics is part of what makes it so devastating. With everything lost, Desiree has to laugh at her folly and stupidity. If only she would have realized what she wanted years ago, back when she had the opportunity.

The clowns in the title and chorus do not refer to literal clowns. Composer Stephen Sondheim says that he meant it to be a theater reference meaning, “‘If the show isn’t going well, let’s send in the clowns’; in other words, ‘let’s do the jokes.’” Desiree asks where the clowns are now that everything has gone wrong. It ends with the line “Don’t bother / They’re here,” as Desiree and her ex have been the clowns the whole time for not seizing the moment when they had it.

The lyrics aren’t so specific that they only apply to the context of the show. Judy Collins’s recorded version hit the Billboard Top 100 for 11 weeks, and Frank Sinatra added it to his 1973 album Ol’ Blue Eyes Is Back. Since then, it has been used in media across the world, perhaps most famously in the 2019 blockbuster film Joker.^[9]

1 “Til There Was You”—The Music Man

Written by Meredith Willson for the 1957 musical The Music Man, “Til There Was You” skyrocketed to the public’s eye thanks to a chart-topping cover by The Beatles.

If you didn’t know that this tune was from a musical, don’t feel bad: Neither did Paul McCartney for a while. He grew up with the Peggy Lee cover of the song and has said that he had “no idea until much later” that it was from The Music Man, sung as a love ballad by the main character Marion. The Beatles’ recording helped cement the band as one that could appeal to all ages and genres, not just young girls.

Willson’s wife has said that the estate has received more money from The Beatles cover royalties than they have from the actual show itself!^[10]

Fans of musical theatre know that every show is an opportunity to fall in love with incredible characters, get lost in thrilling tales, and witness great talent at work. For most of us, singing along to music in “The Producers,” “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera,” or even “Hamilton” is almost instinct at this point. But if we are being honest, it’s impossible to attend almost every show on Broadway, and some great productions can slip our attention. This list dives deep into the archives to present some Broadway gems that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.

These are the top 10 Broadway Musicals you’ve never heard of before.  

10 Contact (2000)

Dance is one of the body’s purest forms of expression, and “Contact” is a musical that taps into this magic. The musical has no original score or dialogue. Instead, it tells its tale through a modern ballet jukebox soundtrack. In the Broadway musical developed by Susan Stroman and John Weidman, the major theme is “contact,” or at least, the lack of it. The musical is arranged in three parts dubbed “Swinging,” “Did You Move,’ and “Contact” that tell stories through dance.

Contact was inspired by Stroman’s experiences on a night out where she met a captivating lady in a yellow dress. Whenever the lady stepped on the dance floor, she accepted a dance from a gentleman and became the center of attention. The unique inspiration gave birth to a musical that chooses dance as its language, and the result is impressive. Still, as a Broadway musical, “Contact” is too progressive, which is both a strength and weakness as far as theatre audiences are concerned. Either way, the musical was so good that it won the Tony Award in 2000 for Best Musical, a triumph that turned controversial since it had no live singing or an original score.

9 Hands on a Hardbody (2013)

Can dreams come true on Broadway? Heck yes, they do—for people of all backgrounds, professions, and hobbies! In this case, “Hands on a Hardbody” is a Broadway show that focuses on the dreams of wannabe car owners. This Broadway musical features a cast of ten Texans who are cash-strapped but keen on winning a brand-new red Nissan truck. In the musical set in the scorching red sun, the contestants must battle the elements by keeping at least one hand on the truck. In the end, only one person can drive away with the car, and the test of perseverance drives the entire plot.

The incredible show is based on a 1994 documentary that covered an endurance competition in Longview, Texas. In the competition, 24 contestants battled to see who could keep their hands on a pickup truck for the longest time without leaning or squatting on it. In the Broadway version, the intriguing story gets a much-needed uplift by featuring Amanda Green’s (“Bring It On: The Musical”) score and Dough Wright’s (“I Am My Own Wife”) book.

8 Newsies (2017)

“Extra, extra, read all about it!” Newspaper headlines capture the hottest news in any city and Disney’s “Newsies” highlights the experiences of newspaper boys. The story follows a group of orphaned newsboys in Lower Manhattan who find themselves at odds with newspaper boss Joseph Pulitzer. The plot escalates after the publisher increases the cost of his paper. His decision incites a strike that literally “makes the headlines.”

“Newsies” is closely based on the “Newsboys Strike of 1899” of New York that influenced dramatic changes in the compensation of child laborers. This Broadway musical enhances the story further, featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics from Jack Felden. Now considered one of Disney’s best musicals on Broadway, the musical was filmed, released in theatres, and is now available for streaming.

7 The Bridges of Madison County (2014)

Romantic narratives are a staple on Broadway, and “The Bridges of Madison County” taps into this theme with a twist. The show starts on a simple note, introducing Francesca, an Iowan housewife who’s dedicated to her family but still feels dispassionate about her reality. In a tale of forbidden love, Francesca crosses paths with Robert, a hunky National Geographic who takes her back to her maiden days. In an affair that lasts four days, the two go on an emotional rollercoaster that leaves audiences swooning and tense. After watching the show, you can’t help but wonder, “What will Francesca do after Robert leaves? What if?”

“The Bridges of Madison” is based on a novel by Robert James Waller, but the adaptation by Marsha Norman transforms it into an exciting selection. Jason Robert Brown’s musical arrangement is so captivating that it earned him the 2014 Tony Award for Best Score. As far as musicals go, this underrated musical punches all the necessary buttons, from a powerful story to heartbreaking romance.

6 American Idiot (2009)

“American Idiot,” the musical, highlights the struggles of ordinary people in a post-9/11 world. It follows three men from a less-than-exciting hometown. With a score by Green Day—which you may have already heard if you are a Green Day fan—the musical narrates how Michael, Tunney, and Johnny make unique choices in search of happiness. Michael becomes a family man, Johnny turns to drugs, and Tunny joins the army and ships abroad.

“American Idiot” was developed as an expansion of the stories from Green Day’s punk rock album of the same name. For the musical, the band also helped compose the music with lyrics by Billie Joe. Billie Joe collaborated with Michael Mayer to write the musical’s book. Yet, despite connections to Green Day, the musical and its important themes are heavily overlooked.

5 Assassins (2004)

The success of any Broadway theatrical production relies on multiple factors, and the release date determines how appealing a show is to audiences. “Assassins,” which premiered on Broadway in 2004, was released too soon after the September 9/11 attacks. Because of the musical’s political themes, it didn’t go over well. However, that says nothing of the remarkable quality of the show.

As the unambiguous name suggests, “Assassins” features people who historically tried or successfully assassinated American presidents. The cast features names like John Hinckley, Lynette “Squeaky” Froome, and John Wilkes booth among others. Together, these figures narrate their justifications for offing presidents while chanting “Everybody’s Got the Right…”

The original concept for the musical was developed by Charles Gilbert, with the musical score created by Stephen Sondheim. Given the sensitive theme, Sondheim and others in the production anticipated backlash from the public but remained adamantly unapologetic. While the musical earned some awards, including five Tony Awards, its mixed and negative reviews affected its popularity.

4 Finian’s Rainbow (1995)

The best musicals are revived over and over. One of those musicals is “Finian’s Rainbow,” which has been revived on Broadway an impressive four times over. The musical centers on the adventures of Finian, an elderly fellow that travels to Southern America in a quest to hide a pot of gold. Hot on Finian’s trail is the gold’s original owner, Ogg, a leprechaun in danger of turning human without his precious possession. The tale gets even wackier when a corrupt US Senator learns about the gold and also seeks to possess it.

“Finian’s Rainbow” was developed from a book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, with music from Burton Lane. While the film version is more popular, the musical version is a masterpiece that has been nominated every year it was produced and revived on Broadway. But despite the quality that makes it worthy of the Broadway stage and its revivals, “Finian’s Rainbow” is widely unrecognized. It’s a shame that “Finian’s Rainbow” is less popular among theatre lovers because everyone deserves to see its story. 

3 Chess (1988)

Chess is a common allegory for strategy and warfare. In the Broadway musical titled “Chess,” these literary and theatrical devices emerge. The musical centers on a chess tournament between American and Russian grandmasters. The two, equally capable players battle it out for one woman. Of course, the “chess game” represents the manipulations that characterized the Cold War ideologies by the Americans and Russians.

A distinctive aspect that makes “Chess” a lesser-known musical in the US is its alterations before it hit Broadway. In London’s West End theatres, the show was popular after it opened in 1984 as it attracted audiences for three years straight. It even features music by Murray Head—Judas in the original British cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar”—”One Night in Bangkok” hitting the mainstream charts. But when the musical was revised for Broadway in the US with Richard Nelson’s book, its fortunes differed as it lasted only two months. Despite the slump in the US, “Chess” remains one of the most underrated, and best, musicals ever.

2 Wonderful Town (1953)

In the world of musicals, “Wonderful Town” is a hidden gem that deserves a poster on every street of New York. The musical, which first went on Broadway in 1953, focuses on the life of two sisters living in New York’s Greenwich Village. Ruth and Eileen Sherwood aspire to make it big in the city, but things don’t pan out as they planned. In some moments, the sisters find themselves home-sick, remembering their simple life back home in sweet “Ohio.” “Why, oh, why, oh, did I ever leave Ohio?”

With a strong book by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov and music from Leonard Bernstein, “Wonderful Town” elucidates a great love for New York. The musical qualifies as a must-see as its story is founded in comedy and music for every mood.

1 Little Me (1962)

“Little Me” is a Broadway musical that takes an alternative route based on its loose, autobiographical structure. Based on a novel by Patrick Dennis titled Little Me: The Intimate Memoirs of that Great Star Stage, Screen, and Television/Belle Poitrine, the musical is endlessly energetic and hilarious. Divided into three main acts, the novel traces Belle Poitrine’s story as she writes her memoir alongside author Patrick Dennis. Belle pens her ups and downs in the musical, including her comical relationships, marriages, and rise to fame and fortune.

After its initial Broadway production, “Little Me” was revived two more times. While it attracts little mention among the great musicals of our time, “Little Me” is a refreshing stab at the mundane concerns that dominate our experiences in an unpredictable world.

While not everyone is a fan of musical theater, it still does draw plenty of people to its elaborate stage sets, over-the-top song and dance numbers, and enthralling actor performances. In fact, the New York Broadway season for 2018–2019 saw a record-breaking $1.83 billion in gross sales with an attendance of more than 14.7 million people. Some musicals are completely imagined stories, while others are rooted in fact and history. As a huge fan of both musicals and American history, I’ve spent a lot of time listening to shows like Hamilton. And while I do love Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical about the American Founding Father, it’s important to recognize that it isn’t the only musical to take history and make it interesting. And, I don’t think it even does it the best!

This list showcases ten musicals that tell a true historical story. Some are funny, some are sad, and a lot of them are both! So while you may not be able to watch the performance, you can certainly still enjoy the music and picture it.

Related: 10 Captivating Performances In Musical Films

10 Clinton: The Musical

The name says it all. This show focuses on the presidency of Bill Clinton with a little twist: Clinton is split in two. His fun side is Bill, and his serious side is W.J. And Hillary is the one who can see them both at the same time. Written by Paul Hodge and Michael Hodge, it offers a satirical look at the presidency of the 42nd American president. Theatergoers enjoyed its short 10-week off-Broadway run in 2015.

Clinton: The Musical is literally one of the funniest musicals I’ve ever come upon, and I’ve seen quite a few. Let’s set the scene: Kenneth Starr as a flamboyant pop star, Eleanor Roosevelt as a personal mentor to Hillary, and Newt Gingrich as, well, himself. This show takes the Clinton scandal and turns it on its head. Take the time to listen to Monica Lewinsky’s song (“Monica’s Song”) if you want to get a taste of the show, and you’ll immediately understand why it’s a favorite.^[1]

9 Chicago

The Windy City can be a place of corruption and crime, and this satire emphasizes that in a hilarious and sexy way. Based on the true story of how 1920s Chicago became mesmerized by female murderers, Chicago takes the Jazz Age and gives it an incredible narrative.

Roxie Hart murders her lover after he admits he’s been cheating on her and is taken to the Cook County jail. There, she meets a group of female murderers who all claim their crimes were justified. The show follows Roxie as she attempts to sell herself to the press as a sweet girl who killed for self-defense, and how the trials change as Roxie’s new “friends” attempt to sabotage her. Chicago is currently the longest-running American musical still on Broadway for a reason, as it keeps you tapping and on your toes at the same time.^[2]

8 Come from Away

Even though 2001 doesn’t exactly sound like ancient history, the infamous 9/11 attacks are the foundation of this musical. Come from Away focuses on the true story of how the small Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland, became overwhelmed by over 7,000 travelers at the time of the attacks.

Gander was home to about 10,000 residents and a perfectly positioned airport for planes flying to the United States from Europe. So when the orders came in that all flights coming to America needed to land, suddenly, this small town was home to thousands of strangers from all over the world. The characters in the musical are based on real-life residents of Gander as well as the travelers who spent time there. They not only must deal with the impact of the 9/11 attacks but also the experience of being in a foreign country while completely alone.

A musical about 9/11 is definitely not something that sounds appealing to someone looking for a good time, but this musical is surprisingly feel-good. Rather than centering on the grief and sadness in Gander, Come from Away focuses on what the residents did to make everyone feel at home. Parties, songs, prayers, and jokes surround this musical with an aura of admiration for how good humanity can be even in the worst of times.^[3]

7 Bonnie and Clyde

Iconic crime duo Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow have their stories told yet again in Frank Wildhorn’s musical rendition of their lives. True to the time and hometowns of our two main anti-heroes, the music combines rockabilly, blues, and gospel music. The musical first opened in 2009 in La Jolla, California, with a few other runs through 2011. However, it recently saw a revival open in April 2022 a the Arts Theatre in London’s West End.

The show does a great job of showing the Depression-Era couple as products of their time. Clyde idolizes Al Capone and Billy the Kid and wants nothing more than to be as rich and famous as them. Just as ambitious as her beau, Bonnie is an aspiring movie star whose dreams get sidetracked when Clyde introduces her to the world of crime. Bonnie and Clyde doesn’t make any particularly intellectual comments about the American jail system or anything like that, but it sure does have some great tunes and recounts the exploits of these famous Americans in a new and interesting way.^[4]

6 1776

Just like Hamilton, 1776 focuses on the years surrounding the creation of the United States and the founding fathers’ roles in it. John Adams is the main character of this show, and we follow him as he desperately tries to convince the Second Continental Congress that they need to completely separate from England. Obviously, we know how this story ends, which takes a little of the suspense out of it, but the music and characterization of historical people keep the audience engaged.

Originally played on Broadway by William Daniels (Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World), John Adams goes around Philadelphia in the scorching summer of the titular year, looking for ways to convince the Congress that independence is worth the risk. With some humorous quips from Benjamin Franklin and some inspirational quotes from Thomas Jefferson, 1776 takes some artistic and dramatic liberties in order to tell the classic story of American independence.

First performed on Broadway in 1969, it saw a 1997 revival and a 1972 film.^[5]

5 Cabaret

Love, sex, prostitutes, and Nazis. What else could you want from a show? Cabaret is a classic musical based on Christopher Isherwood’s book Goodbye to Berlin, which focuses on a couple of characters in 1930s Berlin. What starts as an odd romance between cabaret performer Sally Bowles and writer Cliff Bradshaw gets lost in the bigger picture of Germany entering World War II.

Cabaret is constantly breaking the fourth wall, as the emcee of the show makes crude sexual jokes at the audience while also providing valuable insight into the world of performers at this time. The combination of humor and sorrow makes this show especially poignant, as it’s easy to get sucked into the smaller storylines of love and heartbreak before remembering that in the next couple of years, everything will change.

Like The Twilight Zone, there are a couple of astonishingly surprising twists. The show starts you off laughing and ends up with you crying on more than one occasion. It is an incredible blend of melancholy and wit. Cabaret has seen numerous stage time since its initial Broadway run in 1966, including numerous U.S. and UK tours, Broadway revivals, and West End revivals—the most recent in 2021. There was also a 1972 film version of Cabaret, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York, and Joel Grey.^[6]

4 Ragtime

Based on E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel of the same name, Ragtime is an intricate and spellbinding musical that combines fictional and real stories in turn-of-the-century America. There are several plots that overlap in the show, some true, some fabricated. Real-life characters include radical anarchist Emma Goldman, vaudeville star Evelyn Nesbit, Booker T. Washington, Henry Ford, and the famous magician Harry Houdini. Ragtime was first performed in Toronto in 1996 and on Broadway in 1998, later winning the Tony Award for Best Musical Score.

The overarching storyline of Ragtime involves an affluent white family in New Rochelle and their encounter with a Jewish immigrant escaping from the city and the family’s involvement with Coalhouse Walker. He fights for African American rights with violence. It’s honestly difficult to explain what goes on in this show, but every scene is reminiscent of early America, back when the era of ragtime music was beginning.^[7]

3 Parade

Based on a true story, Parade dramatizes the trial and imprisonment of Leo Frank, a Jewish man accused of raping and killing a thirteen-year-old girl in 1913 Atlanta. While this sounds like a pretty dreary tale (and it is), the show does a great job of depicting racism and anti-Semitism in the post-Civil War American South. With music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, Parade first enjoyed a Broadway run in 1998, also winning a Tony Award for Best Score.

The tricky thing about Parade is that no one knows if Leo Frank is guilty. The musical has a clear bias toward him, painting the picture as though Frank was only accused because he was the singular Jew in town. While history does show that anti-Semitism played a role in the trial, there is a definite chance that Frank did commit the crime. The show tells the story from Frank’s point of view but still keeps it ambiguous if he is guilty or not. Heartbreaking and intriguing, Parade shows a different side of America than some others on this list.^[8]

2 Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Hamilton is often praised for the way it took rap music, a distinctly modern phenomenon, and applied it to American history. While Hamilton is the first large-scale historical rap musical, it is not the first musical to tell the story of the founding fathers in a new medium. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson focuses on the life of our seventh president while portraying Jackson as an emo rock star. It opened in 2008 in Los Angeles with a Broadway run in 2010, seeing several regional and international productions since then.

The musical is extremely comedic, and the music is reminiscent of early 2000s Green Day, but that doesn’t stop it from tugging at the heartstrings. We watch Jackson deal with the death of his parents, his wife, and the unusual adoption of his Native American son. As one of our most controversial presidents, the show portrays Jackson both as a villain and a hero of the country. Not only incredibly outlandish but also the true story of the founding of the Democratic Party, the Indian Removal Act, and Jackson’s life in general, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is uniquely outrageous, unconventional, and hilarious.^[9]

1 Assassins

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (also known for West Side Story, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and countless other iconic musicals), how could this show not be a hit? It probably had something to do with the audience originally interpreting it as a love letter to a bunch of murderers.

Assassins is a surreal revue-style musical that details the stories of nine people who have attempted to assassinate the president. This includes those who succeeded (John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald) and ones the audience has definitely never heard of (Giuseppe Zangara and Sam Byck).

The musical crosses the boundaries of time and space, having men from the 1880s flirt with a woman who wasn’t born until fifty years later. The music cleverly corresponds to each assassin’s time period, with John Wilkes Booth’s song taking the form of a classic American folk song and Reagan-era John Hinckley Jr. singing an ’80s pop ballad to Jodie Foster.

But the show doesn’t just tell the stories of these assassins and would-be assassins; it argues that their stories have been lost to history, and that’s not fair to them. The audience hears John Wilkes Booth state his case for why Lincoln deserved to die and listens to young Americans blinded by the American Dream do what they feel they have to in order to succeed. When you watch/listen to Assassins, you aren’t just learning about a couple of misfits throughout America’s history. You’re hearing the stories of people who were written off as crazy but may have a spark of sanity in their narrative.^[10]

Musicals are the popular culture equivalent of vegemite or olives. You either love them with a passion or hate them with fervor. So, when you sit down to watch a movie or book a theatre performance, are you the person who loves it when people burst into song at the drop of a hat? Or are you the kind of person who grits their teeth in frustration?

Samuel Tailor Coleridge coined the term “suspension of disbelief” in 1817, using it to explain the theory that we are often willing to avoid critical thinking and logic for the purpose of entertainment. Nowhere has this been pushed to the limit more than in science fiction, and even more when a musical gets added to the mix. Below, we give ten science fiction and fantasy musicals that pushed the boundaries of possibility, for good or bad.

Related: 10 Surprising Musical Moments From Popular Shows

10 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coming Out of Their Shells

The selling power of toys should never be underestimated. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles craze had reached a fever pitch. Based on a comic by creators Eastman and Laird, it was later turned into a cartoon, and with it came a tie-in toy line plus a glutton of merchandise. To promote it, anything was being considered, including a musical.

Most musical forays by the Turtles are fondly remembered. They had a number-one hit that tied into the release of their first movie, and their second outing even featured flavor-of-the-month Vanilla Ice. However, their musical stage show, the Coming Out of Their Shells tour, is often consigned to the dustbin of history.

The plot was as flimsy as they come. The Turtles head out on a musical tour, determined to meet their fans across the world. While performing on stage, the tour gets interrupted by their enemy Shredder and his accomplice Baxter Stockman. The Turtles must then form a plan to defeat their enemy.

Highlights are hard to find. “April’s Theme” is a sickly ballad by their reporter sidekick, while “Skipping Stones” is performed by Splinter, their talking rat mentor. Sponsored by Pizza Hut, it was placed on pay-per-view television and released on VHS.^[1]

9 Via Galactica

The ’70s were a pretty strange time for science fiction. The moon landings had just taken place, but the technology burst of later decades was yet to happen. This led people to some pretty wild theories about what the future would hold. For some, that involved ping pong balls, trampolines, aluminum foil, and ballads.

Via Galactica was by Christopher Gore and Judith Ross, with music by Galt Macdermot. Macdermot had enjoyed success with the musical Hair, which had produced three chart hits. Yet he was not the only heavyweight involved in Via Galactica. Hollywood legend Raul Julia was in the cast along with Fame actress Irene Cara. Yet not even they could not save the convoluted plot and unworkable set.

The concept was to create a futuristic musical about society’s outcasts living on an asteroid. After running for just seven nights, it was canceled due to its terrible plot. The scenery and actors would sink into the trampoline surface of the set during performances. At one point, radio mics intercepted emergency service bands and broadcast fire and police radio to the audience. Cara would get stuck in the rigging, and Raul Julia was once locked in a spaceship suspended above the audience.

However, the lack of thought was easy to see with the initial title. Originally, it was supposed to be named “Up” and was to be performed at the Uris Theatre. Once pointed out, the name was quickly changed.^[2]

8 Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark

Take one outstanding director who had masterminded the million-dollar adaption of Disney’s Lion King for the stage. Add to that pop music royalty in the form of rock band U2. Finish this off with the most iconic superhero of all time. How could it fail?

The concept of a Spiderman musical had been floated when the first Spiderman movie proved a roaring success. However, problems began to appear when the producer, Tony Adams, had a stroke and passed away. A global financial crisis followed, in which many investors left the project. As well as facing a huge budget deficit, the musical also had numerous technical difficulties.

One of these involved the lead actor web-swinging above the audience but becoming stuck. This meant a crew member had to poke him down with a stick while he hung above the front two rows like a piñata.

The sophisticated equipment used for web-swinging across the theatre not only cost a lot to make but tended to injure performers. Concussions, broken wrists, and toes were all reported.

Even the music was lackluster. Rumors were that U2 had been so unfamiliar with musicals that a CD containing the best bits of 60 years of Broadway compiled onto it was burned for them. Imagine B-Sides from a mash-up of U2’s Joshua Tree and the Les Miserables soundtrack, and you may have some idea of what was in store.^[3]

7 Carrie: The Musical

At its core, Carrie is a horror film that deals with a female coming of age and menstruation. How anyone thought these themes would transfer to a musical format are unknown. Based on the novel by Stephen King, it lasted a mere five performances and is widely regarded as one of the biggest failures in the history of musicals.

The book from which it came had a very successful cinematic adaptation. The screenwriter, Lawrence D. Cohen, and the composer, Michael Gore, decided to set about creating musical material. Gore had previous experience with the hit Fame, showing he should have known better.

Carrie debuted in the UK in 1988 and was besieged by technical problems from the onset. One actress quit on the first night after a close call when a stage piece almost decapitated her. The most famous scene in the book and the whole movie, in which Carrie gets covered in pig’s blood, kept shorting out the lead actress’s microphone.

When the show moved to the states, it was already dead in the water. The press was as cruel as Carrie’s tormentors in the actual story. Yet, oddly enough, in life mimicking art, despite loud boos from the audience, the show sold out every night. It was as if people enjoyed wallowing in the misery of a terrible production.^[4]

6 Moby Dick: A Whale of a Tale

Whale hunting and teenage girls as objects of sexual desire are concepts rightly consigned to the past. Imagine, then, a musical that combines both of these into one politically incorrect and uncomfortable stage play.

The musical was created by Robert Longden and Hereward Kaye. Originally, it was a silly, musical hall-style tale in which a girl’s school decided to put on a stage play of Moby Dick. Complete with a drag-wearing headmistress and laden with innuendo-based gags, it toured universities like an early version of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.

After a string of sold-out shows, it was decided that the show needed a larger audience. It took up residency at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End but faced terrible reviews and, after four months, was canceled. Although it did transfer to the states, it was toned down, and many of its contentious topics were removed.^[5]

5 Repo! The Genetic Opera

For this musical, we take a break from the stage and head to the big screen. If this movie was simply Repo! It would have a pretty good premise. Set in 2056, organ failure is plaguing the planet. GeneCo is a mega-corporation that provides replacements on a payment plan. Repo men are then hired to hunt down anyone who misses a payment and take the organs back for the company. It all sounds great… until the part where you turn this dark, dystopian story into an opera. Then cast Paris Hilton in it.

The movie has its genesis in a 2002 musical by Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich. Smith had taken the inspiration from a friend’s bankruptcy, envisioning a future where body parts were viewed like property. It was a huge success, attracting gothic movie lovers in a similar vein to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This led to the creation of a ten-minute trailer used for pitching to movie studios.

Most of the movie’s promotion came not from Lionsgate, the film’s backers, but from the cast and writers, who did a road tour of the musical. It did little to buoy what was a plot that did not deliver and contained some pretty standard musical numbers. However, it gained Paris Hilton an award for the Worst Supporting Actress at the Golden Raspberry Awards, second only to her win for Worst Actress at the same event.^[6]

4 Raggedy Ann: The Musical Adventure

Before her first and last musical outing, Raggedy Ann had a decent career. A series of successful books by Johnny Gruelle led to a 1977 animated feature film featuring the character with her sidekick Raggedy Andy. However, for some unknown reason, it was decided that her musical outing would take a dark turn.

The story is about a dying child from a broken home. Her dolls come to life and take her on a mission to meet the Doll Doctor, who may have the ability to save her. While it does have a heartwarming ending where she reunites with her father, themes touch on everything from genocide to sex, none of which are suitable for children.

Only lasting three days, the musical fell off the radar after its cancellation. Bootleg recordings have kept the show alive, and attempts have even been made to revive it, with little success.^[7]

3 The Toxic Avenger

For anyone who knows the original Toxic Avenger movie and character, a musical makes a lot of sense. Created by cult movie studio Troma, the story tells the tale of a mild-mannered janitor who falls into a vat of toxic waste. He then becomes a crime fighter, overthrowing a corrupt mayor and ending up as the hero of the town. After starting as a flop, the movie developed a cult following with three sequels, videogames, and inexplicably, a children’s cartoon.

The tongue-in-cheek approach of the movie and character lends itself to a musical format, and as such, reviews were quite favorable, with a fair few awards given to it. Starting life at the New Brunswick Theatre in New Jersey, it then went on to tour the U.S. and perform in Australia, the UK, and several high-profile festivals across the world.^[8]

2 Starmites

Despite not being a huge commercial hit, Starmites has longevity most musicals would be envious of. Running for two months on Broadway, it now even has a version available for children to perform. Starting in 1980, it has returned sporadically on and off for numerous different performances.

The story is about comic book-loving Eleanor, a shy teenager who often drifts into a fantasy world where she is the hero. It is one of these dreams in which the musical takes place, as the Starmites, Guardians of Inner Space, become involved in a battle with the Shak Graa. While it never set the world on fire, it is a good example of how to do a sci-fi musical without taking it so far it becomes laughable.^[9]

1 Evil Dead: The Musical

Everything is getting a musical as audiences clamor to find someplace to spend their dollars after venturing back into society. While many of them are lacking in quality, this one is actually good. Based on the cult Evil Dead movie series, the story follows a group of teenagers who unleash the undead and demonic entities while holidaying in the woods.

Part of its success is that, like Toxic Avenger, it carries the dry humor of its movie counterpart. It has one-liners, and the musical numbers written for the production are both great tunes and funny. It has now been performed over three hundred times around the world, though be warned if you go to see it that the audience does get covered in gore and guts, albeit fake.^[10]