Musicals About Black History – The Complete List
The following list includes 17 musicals about Black history, focusing on Black experiences and historical events. Additional musical lists are available in the musical database.
Musicals about Black History
Music: Thomas “Fats” Waller Lyrics: Various Concept: Murray Horwitz, Richard Maltby, Jr.
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1978)
What It’s About: Fats Waller and the Harlem Renaissance
Music/Lyrics: The Legendary Motown Catalog Book: Dominique Morisseau
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
What It’s About: The life and times of the Temptations
Music: Jimmy McHugh Lyrics: Dorothy Fields
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1928)
Significance: Became the longest running all-Black cast show in 1929
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: Late 20th Century (1995)
What It’s About: Black history told through music and tap
Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics/Book: Lynn Ahrens
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
What It’s About: Two women’s stories during the Antebellum South
Music/Lyrics: Micki Grant Concept: Vinnette Carroll
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)
What It’s About: Black experience throughout the 20th century
Music/Lyrics: Fela Kuti Book: Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis
Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)
What It’s About: The life and music of Fela Kuti
It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues
Music/Lyrics/Book: Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor, Dan Wheetman
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1999)
What It’s About: The history of blues music
Music: Jelly Roll Morton, Luther Henderson Lyrics: Susan Birkenhead Book: George C. Wolfe
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1992)
What It’s About: The life and music of Jelly Roll Morton
Music: Taliep Petersen Lyrics/Book: David Kramer
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1996)
What It’s About: Apartheid in South Africa
Music/Lyrics: Todd Matshikiza Lyrics: Pat Williams Book: Harry Bloom
Musical Type: Golden Age (1959)
What It’s About: The life of boxer Ezekiel Dlamini, aka “King Kong”
Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens Book: Terrence McNally
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1996)
What It’s About: Race relations in early 20th century USA
Music/Lyrics/Book: Mbongeni Ngema Additional Songs: Hugh Masekela
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1987)
What It’s About: The Soweto Uprising in South Africa
Music: Jerome Kern Lyrics/Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1927)
Significance: First racially integrated Broadway musical
Music/Lyrics: Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle Book: Flournoy Miller, Aubrey Lyles
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1921)
Significance: Helped inspire the Harlem Renaissance
Music/Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray Book: Marsha Norman
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
What It’s About: A woman’s experience in the rural American South
Music/Lyrics: John Kander, Fred Ebb Book: David Thompson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
What It’s About: The true and tragic story of the Scottsboro Boys
Last Reviewed: May 6, 2025