25+ Educational Musicals – The Full List of Shows
If you’re eager to delve into musicals that offer insightful perspectives on history, politics, self-improvement, and other academic subjects, we’ve curated a comprehensive list just for you. From the revolutionary narratives of Suffs to the foundational tales in 1776, here’s a full list of educational musicals, sorted alphabetically.
Educational Musicals
Music/Lyrics: Sherman Edwards Book: Peter Stone
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1969)
Topics Explored: U.S. history and the signing of the Declaration of Independence
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jay Kuo Book: Marc Acito, Lorenzo Thione
Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)
Topics Explored: The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1990)
Topics Explored: Various political events in U.S. history
Music/Lyrics: Roger Miller Book: William Hauptman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1985)
Topics Explored: Racial issues in pre-Civil War America
Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk
Music: Daryl Waters, Zane Mark Music/Lyrics: Ann Duquesnay Lyrics: George C. Wolfe Lyrics/Book: Reg E. Gaines
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1995)
Topics Explored: History and culture of Black Americans
Music/Lyrics/Book: Irene Sankoff, David Hein
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
Topics Explored: The immediate aftermath of 9/11
Music/Lyrics: David Bryan Lyrics/Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Topics Explored: The life and public image of Princess Diana
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1976)
Topics Explored: The rise to power of Eva Perón in Argentina
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World
Music/Lyrics: Miranda Cooper Music: Jennifer Decilveo Lyrics: Chris Bush
Lyrics: Chris Bush, Miranda Cooper
Topics Explored: The contributions of influential women throughout history
Music: Jerry Bock Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick Book: Joseph Stein
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1964)
Topics Explored: Jewish traditions, history, and culture
Music/Lyrics: Michael John La Chiusa
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Topics Explored: The lives of U.S. First Daughters across different administrations
Music/Lyrics/Book: Michael John LaChiusa
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1993)
Topics Explored: Experiences and challenges faced by U.S. First Ladies
Music/Lyrics: Marc Shaiman Lyrics: Scott Wittman Book: Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Topics Explored: Racial integration and social change in 1960s USA
Music/Lyrics/Book: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Topics Explored: The American Revolution and the life of Alexander Hamilton
It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues
Music/Lyrics/Book: Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor, Dan Wheetman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1999)
Topics Explored: The development and influence of blues music
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1976)
Topics Explored: Japan’s Westernization during the 19th century
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Music/Lyrics: Douglas Lyons Music: Greg Borowsky Book: Melvin Tunstall III
Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)
Topics Explored: Overcoming prejudice and embracing diversity
Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Book: Terrence McNally
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1996)
Topics Explored: Racial and class tensions in early 20th-century America
Music/Lyrics/Book: Mbongeni Ngema Additional Songs: Hugh Masekela
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1987)
Topics Explored: The Soweto Uprising in South Africa
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: George Keating, Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1993)
Topics Explored: Core academic subjects like grammar, math, and history
Music/Lyrics/Book: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
Topics Explored: The lives and legacies of Henry VIII’s six wives
Music/Lyrics/Book: Shaina Taub
Musical Type: Contemporary (2022)
Topics Explored: The women’s suffrage movement in the U.S.
Music/Book: Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Jack Murphy Book: Gregory Boyd
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1998)
Topics Explored: The American Civil War
Music/Lyrics: John Kander, Fred Ebb Book: David Thompson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
Topics Explored: Racial injustice and the legal system in 1930s USA
Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Book: Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse
Musical Type: Golden Age (1959)
Topics Explored: Music fundamentals and 1930s Austrian history
Music/Lyrics: Maury Yeston Book: Peter Stone
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)
Topics Explored: The tragic sinking of the Titanic
Music: William Patrick Harrison Lyrics/Book: Maryhee Yoon, Cara Baldwin
Musical Type: Contemporary (2021)
Topics Explored: Propaganda and media influence during wartime
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Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
