Musicals of the 1980s – A Complete Ordered List

Theatre Trip November 9, 2019June 4, 20231980s, musical types

The musicals of the 1980s were a bit grander and more ambitious than those of the previous decade. Popular trends at the time included dramatic storylines, the rise of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s shows, romantic love stories, productions set in the 19th century, and continued cultural diversity.

The 1980s mark the middle of the pre-contemporary musical theatre time period. Here’s the full list of musicals that premiered during the decade. And to enhance your researching experience, you can pop on Theatre Trip’s Spotify playlist while scrolling – “The Best Musical Songs of the 1980s”➝.

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Contents:

1980 Musicals

42nd Street

Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Al Dubin, Johnny Mercer Book: Michael Stewart, Mark Bramble

Musical Type: 1933 Film/Pre-Contemporary Musical (1980)

Barnum

Music: Cy Coleman Lyrics: Michael Stewart Book: Mark Bramble

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1980)

Blues in the Night

Music/Lyrics: Various Concept: Sheldon Epps

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1980)

Les Misérables

Music/Lyrics: Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics: Alan Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer, Jean-Marc Natel

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1980)

Marry Me a Little

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Concept: Craig Lucas, Norman Rene

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1980)

The Biograph Girl

Music/Lyrics: David Heneker Lyrics/Book: Warner Brown

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1980)

Tomfoolery

Music/Lyrics: Tom Lehrer Adaptation: Cameron Mackintosh, Robin Ray

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1980)

1981 Musicals

Cats

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: T.S. Eliot, Trevor Nunn, Richard Stilgoe

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1981)

Dreamgirls

Music: Henry Krieger Lyrics/Book: Tom Eyen

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1981)

March of the Falsettos

Music/Lyrics/Book: William Finn

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1981)

Merrily We Roll Along

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: George Furth

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1981)

Pump Boys and Dinettes

Music/Lyrics/Book: John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel, Jim Wann

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1981)

Woman of the Year

Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb Book: Peter Stone

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1981)

1982 Musicals

A Doll’s Life

Music: Larry Grossman Lyrics/Book: Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

Charlotte Sweet

Music: Gerald Jay Markoe Lyrics: Michael Colby

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

Is There Life After High School?

Music/Lyrics: Craig Carnelia Book: Jeffrey Kindley

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

Little Shop of Horrors

Music: Alan Menken Lyrics/Book: Howard Ashman

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

Nine

Music/Lyrics: Maury Yeston Book: Arthur Kopit

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Music/Lyrics: Gene de Paul, Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn Lyrics: Johnny Mercer Book: Lawrence Kasha, David Landay

Musical Type: 1954 Film/Pre-Contemporary Musical (1982)

Song and Dance

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Don Black, Richard Maltby Jr.

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

1983 Musicals

Baby

Music: David Shire Lyrics: Richard Maltby, Jr. Book: Sybille Pearson

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)

Blood Brothers

Music/Lyrics/Book: Willy Russell

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)

Dance a Little Closer

Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics/Book: Alan Jay Lerner

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)

Doonesbury

Music: Elizabeth Swados Lyrics/Book: Garry Trudeau

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)

La Cage aux Folles

Music/Lyrics: Jerry Herman Book: Harvey Fierstein

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)

My One and Only

Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: Peter Stone, Timothy S. Mayer

Musical Type: Jazz Age/Pre-Contemporary (1983)

Return to the Forbidden Planet

Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Bob Carlton

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Jukebox (1983)

Singin’ in the Rain

Music/Lyrics: Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed Book: Adolph Green, Betty Comden

Musical Type: 1952 Film/Pre-Contemporary Musical (1983)

The Human Comedy

Music: Galt MacDermot Libretto: William Dumaresq

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)

The Tap Dance Kid

Music: Henry Krieger Lyrics: Robert Lorick Book: Charles Blackwell

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)

1984 Musicals

Chess

Music: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus Lyrics: Tim Rice Book: Richard Nelson

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

How to Eat Like a Child

Music/Lyrics/Book: John Forster Book: Delia Ephron, Judith Kahan

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

Just So

Music: George Stiles Lyrics/Book: Anthony Drewe

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

Kuni-Leml

Music: Raphael Crystal Lyrics: Richard Engquist Book: Nahma Sandrow

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

Leader of the Pack

Music/Lyrics: Ellie Greenwich & Friends Book: Anne Beatts

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Jukebox (1984)

Starlight Express

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Alistair Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Richard Stilgoe, David Yazbek, Nick Coler

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

Sunday in the Park with George

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: James Lapine

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

The Rink

Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb Book: Terrence McNally

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

What About Luv?

Music: Howard Marren Lyrics: Susan Birkenhead Book: Jeffrey Sweet

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)

1985 Musicals

3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down

Music: Michael Rupert Lyrics/Book: Jerry Colker