Musical Lists

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.



Ain’t Misbehavin’

Music: Thomas “Fats” Waller  Lyrics: Various  ConceptMurray Horwitz, Richard Maltby, Jr.

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1978)

What It’s About: Fats Waller and the Harlem Renaissance


Ain’t Too Proud

Music/Lyrics: The Legendary Motown Catalog  Book: Dominique Morisseau

Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)

What It’s About: The life and times of the Temptations


Blackbirds of 1928

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


Dessa Rose

Music: Stephen Flaherty  Lyrics/Book: Lynn Ahrens

Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)

What It’s About: Two women’s stories during the Antebellum South


Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope

Music/Lyrics: Micki Grant  Concept: Vinnette Carroll

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1971)

What It’s About: Black experience throughout the 20th century


Fela!

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


Jelly’s Last Jam

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


Kat and the Kings

Music: Taliep Petersen  Lyrics/Book: David Kramer

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1996)

What It’s About: Apartheid in South Africa


King Kong

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”


Ragtime

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


Sarafina!

Music/Lyrics/Book: Mbongeni Ngema  Additional Songs: Hugh Masekela

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1987)

What It’s About: The Soweto Uprising in South Africa


Show Boat

Music: Jerome Kern  Lyrics/Book: Oscar Hammerstein II

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1927)

Significance: First racially integrated Broadway musical


Shuffle Along

Music/Lyrics: Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle  Book: Flournoy Miller, Aubrey Lyles

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1921)

Significance: Helped inspire the Harlem Renaissance


The Color Purple

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


The Scottsboro Boys

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



• All-Female Musicals

• Blues Musicals

• Musicals About History

• 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 ListShe holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

Photo of Stacy Karyn

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