17 Essential Musicals for Black History Month
Last Updated: May 6, 2025
Looking for a musical to help you celebrate Black History Month? This is the perfect time to delve into history and celebrate the accomplishments of Black artists. And what better way to do that than with musical theatre? Here’s a full list of musicals for Black History Month.
Musicals for Black History Month
Music: Thomas “Fats” Waller Lyrics: Various Concept: Murray Horwitz, Richard Maltby, Jr.
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (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: Pre-Contemporary (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: Pre-Contemporary (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: Pre-Contemporary (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: Pre-Contemporary (1992)
What It’s About: The life and music of Jelly Roll Morton
Music: Taliep Petersen Lyrics/Book: David Kramer
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (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: Pre-Contemporary (1996)
What It’s About: Race relations in early 20th century USA
Music/Lyrics/Book: Mbongeni Ngema Additional Songs: Hugh Masekela
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (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
Related Posts
• Musicals Based on True Stories
• Musicals Written by Black Artists
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Which of these musicals for Black History Month is your favorite?
Or have you ever seen any of the above musicals for Black History Month live? 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.
