Musicals of the 1970s

Musicals of the 1970s pushed boundaries with bold storytelling, unconventional structures, and a mix of pop, rock, and traditional Broadway sounds. This decade saw an increase in cultural diversity and socially conscious themes, marking the start of a new era. This page lists musicals that premiered during this decade.

Musicals by Year

1970 Musicals

Applause

Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Lee Adams Book: Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

Company

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: George Furth

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

Jesus Christ Superstar

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

Purlie

Music: Gary Geld Lyrics/Book: Peter Udell Book: Ossie Davis, Philip Rose

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

The Last Sweet Days of Isaac

Music: Nancy Ford Lyrics/Book: Gretchen Cryer

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

The Me Nobody Knows

Music: Gary William Friedman Lyrics: Will Holt Adaptation: Bob Livingston, Herb Schapiro

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

The Rothschilds

Music: Jerry Bock Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick Book: Sherman Yellen

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

Two by Two

Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Martin Charnin Book: Peter Stone

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)

1971 Musicals

70, Girls, 70

Music: John Kander Lyrics/Book: Fred Ebb Book: Norman L. Martin

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope

Music/Lyrics: Micki Grant Concept: Vinnette Carroll

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

Follies

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: James Goldman

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

Godspell

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Book: John-Michael Tebelak

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

Grease

Music/Lyrics/Book: Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

Inner City

Music: Helen Miller Lyrics: Eve Merriam

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

Prettybelle

Music: Jule Styne Lyrics/Book: Bob Merrill

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

The Grass Harp

Music: Claibe Richardson Lyrics/Book: Kenward Elmslie

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Music: Galt MacDermot Lyrics/Adaptation: John Guare Adaptation: Mel Shapiro

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)

1972 Musicals

Don’t Play Us Cheap

Music/Lyrics/Book: Melvin Van Peebles

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)

Dude

Music: Galt MacDermot Lyrics/Book: Gerome Ragni

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)

I and Albert

Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Lee Adams Book: Jay Presson Allen

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)

Pippin

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Book: Roger O. Hirson

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)

Something’s Afoot

Music/Lyrics/Book: James McDonald, David Vos, Robert Gerlach Music: Ed Linderman

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)

Sugar

Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Bob Merrill Book: Peter Stone

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)

1973 Musicals

A Little Night Music

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Hugh Wheeler

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1973)

Cyrano

Music: Michael J. Lewis Lyrics/Book: Anthony Burgess

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1973)

Gigi

Music: Frederick Loewe Lyrics/Book: Alan Jay Lerner

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1973)

Raisin

Music: Judd Woldin Lyrics: Robert Brittan Book: Robert Nemiroff, Charlotte Zaltzberg

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1973)

Seesaw

Music: Cy Coleman Lyrics: Dorothy Fields Book: Michael Bennett

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1973)

The Rocky Horror Show

Music/Lyrics/Book: Richard O’Brien

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1973)

1974 Musicals

Lorelei

Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Leo Robin, Adolph Green, Betty Comden Book: Anita Loos, Joseph Fields, Kenny Solms, Gail Parent

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)

Mack & Mabel

Music/Lyrics: Jerry Herman Book: Michael Stewart

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)

Me and Bessie

Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Will Holt, Linda Hopkins

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)

Over Here!

Music/Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman Book: Will Holt

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)

Shenandoah

Music: Gary Geld Lyrics/Book: Peter Udell Book: Philip Rose, James Lee Barrett

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)

The Frogs

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Burt Shevelove, Nathan Lane

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)

The Wiz

Music/Lyrics: Charlie Smalls Book: William F. Brown

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)

1975 Musicals

A Chorus Line

Music: Marvin Hamlisch Lyrics: Edward Kleban Book: James Kirkwood, Nicholas Dante

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)

By Jeeves

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics/Book: Alan Ayckbourn

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)

Chicago

Music: John Kander Lyrics/Book: Fred Ebb Book: Bob Fosse

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)

Goodtime Charley

Music: Larry Grossman Lyrics: Hal Hackady Book: Sidney Michaels

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)

Philemon

Music: Harvey Schmidt Lyrics/Book: Tom Jones

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)

Snoopy!!!

Music: Larry Grossman Lyrics: Hal Hackady Book: Warren Lockhart, Arthur Whitelaw, Michael Grace

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)

The Robber Bridegroom

Music: Robert Waldman Lyrics/Book: Alfred Uhry

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)

Thomas and the King

Music: John Williams Lyrics: James Harbert Book: Edward Anhalt

Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1975)