13 of the Greatest Musicals About America
To celebrate Independence Day this year, we’ve put together a list of some of the greatest musicals about America! From old to new, funky to classic, we’ve got your patriotic musical needs covered. Read on for some of our favorite picks, sorted alphabetically.
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Musicals About America
Music/Lyrics: Sherman Edwards Book: Peter Stone
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1969)
Setting: USA in the 1700s
Music: Green Day Lyrics/Book: Billie Joe Armstrong Book: Michael Mayer
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2009)
Setting: USA in the 2000s
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1990)
Setting: USA at various periods throughout history
Music/Lyrics: Michael Friedman Book: Alex Timbers
Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)
Setting: USA
Music/Lyrics: George M. Cohan Lyrics: Mary Cohan Book: Michael Stewart, John Pascal, Francine Pascal
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1968)
Setting: USA between the 1910s-1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Setting: NYC between the 1770s-1800s
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Robert E. Sherwood
Musical Type: Golden Age (1949)
Setting: NYC and France in the 1880s
Music/Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman Book: Will Holt
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1974)
Setting: USA in the 1940s
Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Book: Joseph Stein, David Thompson
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1986)
Setting: NYC in the 1910s
Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Book: Terrence McNally
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1996)
Setting: NYC between the 1900s -1910s
See Rock City and Other Destinations
Music: Brad Alexander Lyrics/Book: Adam Mathias
Musical Type: Contemporary/Song Cycle (2010)
Setting: Present Day USA
Music/Book: Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Jack Murphy Book: Gregory Boyd
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1998)
Setting: USA in the 1860s
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Mel Marvin, Gary Pearle
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Revue (1979)
Setting: USA between the 1890s-1910s
Related Posts:
• Musicals about New York City
• Musicals Based on True Stories
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Know of any other great musicals about America?
There are tons of great American gems out there, so feel free to share in the comments below! And if you like these types of lists, check out the musical database. That’s where you’ll find musicals sorted by composer, theme, setting, and 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 has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.