21+ Educational Musicals – The Full List of Shows
Whether you’re doing some research, putting on a show, or simply looking for new musicals to get into, it’s good to get familiar with what’s out there. And that’s why we’ve put together this list for you. Here’s a full list of educational musicals, sorted alphabetically!
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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 Japanese American internment during World War II
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1990)
Topics Explored: U.S. history and politics
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: Black history and culture
Music/Lyrics/Book: Irene Sankoff, David Hein
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
Topics Explored: The aftermath of 9/11
Music/Lyrics: David Bryan Lyrics/Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Topics Explored: The life of Princess Diana
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1976)
Topics Explored: The rise 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/Lyrics: Michael John La Chiusa
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Topics Explored: The lives of U.S. First Daughters throughout history
Music/Lyrics/Book: Michael John LaChiusa
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1993)
Topics Explored: The lives and challenges of 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 the 1960s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Topics Explored: U.S. history, 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 history of blues music
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1976)
Topics Explored: The Westernization of Japan 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 such as 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: U.S. history, and 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 America
Music/Lyrics: Maury Yeston Book: Peter Stone
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)
Topics Explored: The tragic events of the Titanic’s sinking
Music: William Patrick Harrison Lyrics/Book: Maryhee Yoon, Cara Baldwin
Musical Type: Contemporary (2021)
Topics Explored: Propaganda and media influence in wartime
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Which of these educational musicals is your favorite?
Or have you ever played a role in any of the above educational musicals? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you enjoy exploring these lists, check out the musical database, where you can discover musicals organized by composer, theme, setting, and much more!
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.