Musicals Set in the 1930s – The Full List of Shows
With the glamour of Hollywood, the swing of big-band music, and the hardships of the Great Depression, musicals set in the 1930s capture a decade of contrasts. These shows bring the era to life in all its resilience and style. Here’s the list of musicals set in the 1930s.
On This Page:
Musicals Fully Set in the 1930s
Musicals Partially Set in the 1930s
Musicals Fully Set in the 1930s
Music: Harvey Schmidt Lyrics: Tom Jones Book: N. Richard Nash
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1963)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Harry Warren Lyrics: Al Dubin, Johnny Mercer Book: Michael Stewart, Mark Bramble
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1980)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
Music: Frank Lazarus, Various Lyrics/Book: Dick Vosburgh
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1979)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Martin Charnin Book: Thomas Meehan
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1976)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Cole Porter Book: Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1934)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Moss Hart
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1933)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Book: Richard Rodgers Lyrics/Book: Lorenz Hart
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1937)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Michael John LaChiusa
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Various Concept: Sheldon Epps
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1980)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb Book: Joe Masteroff
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1966)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: Ken Ludwig
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1992)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Jim Wise Lyrics/Book: George Haimsohn, Robin Miller
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1966)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Sandy Wilson
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1965)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Moss Hart
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1932)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Jule Styne Lyrics/Book: Betty Comden, Adolph Green
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1964)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb Book: George Abbott, Robert Russell Revisions: David Thompson
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1965)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: Guy Bolton, John McGowan
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1930)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Bob Dylan Book: Conor McPherson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Larry Grossman Lyrics: Ellen Fitzhugh Book: Fay Kanin
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1985)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Bob Merrill
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1990)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Bob Hilliard Book: Ben Hecht
Musical Type: Golden Age (1953)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Cole Porter Lyrics: Susan Birkenhead Book: Arthur Kopit
Musical Type: 1956 Film/Late 20th Century Musical (1997)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
I Can Get It for You Wholesale
Music/Lyrics: Harold Rome Book: Jerome Weidman
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1962)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Brad Carroll Lyrics/Book: Peter Sham
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1933)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Harold Arlen Lyrics: Ira Gershwin, Yip Harburg
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1934)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Noel Gay Lyrics/Book: Douglas Furber, L. Arthur Rose
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1937)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Richard Maltby, Jr. Book: Arthur Laurents
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1991)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Cole Porter Book: Romney Brent, Steve Mackes, Michael Whaley
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1933)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: George S. Kaufman, Morrie Ryskind
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1931)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Cy Coleman Lyrics/Book: Betty Comden, Adolph Green
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1978)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Book: Richard Rodgers Lyrics/Book: Lorenz Hart Book: George Abbott
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1936)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Lorenz Hart Book: John O’Hara
Musical Type: Golden Age (1940)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Book: Herbert Fields, Morrie Ryskind
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1933)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: George Gershwin Lyrics: Ira Gershwin Libretto: DuBose Heyward, Dorothy Heyward
Musical Type: Opera (1935)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Book: Dan Studney Lyrics/Book: Kevin Murphy
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1998)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Jerome Kern Lyrics/Book: Otto Harbach
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1933)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Jerry Bock Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick Book: Joe Masteroff
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1963)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Henry Krieger Lyrics/Book: Bill Russell
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1997)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Marc Shaiman Lyrics: Scott Wittman Book: Matthew López, Amber Ruffin
Musical Type: Contemporary (2022)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: James McDonald, David Vos, Robert Gerlach Music: Ed Linderman
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: John Kander Lyrics: Fred Ebb Book: David Thompson
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1997)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Bob Merrill Book: Peter Stone
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz Book: Joseph Stein
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1976)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Marc Blitzstein
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1938)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: John Kander, Fred Ebb Book: David Thompson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II Book: Howard Lindsay, Russel Crouse
Musical Type: Golden Age (1959)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Harold Arlen, Yip Harburg Music: Herbert Stothart Book: L. Frank Baum, John Kane
Musical Type: 1939 Film/Late 20th Century Musical (1987)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Irving Berlin Book: Matthew White, Howard Jacques
Musical Type: 1935 Film / Contemporary Musical (2011)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Henry Mancini, Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Leslie Bricusse Book: Blake Edwards
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1995)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music: Leonard Bernstein Lyrics: Betty Comden, Adolph Green Book: Joseph Fields, Jerome Chodorov
Musical Type: Golden Age (1953)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Mel Brooks Book: Thomas Meehan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2007)
When It’s Set: The 1930s
Musicals Partially Set in the 1930s
Music: Thomas “Fats” Waller Lyrics: Various Concept: Murray Horwitz, Richard Maltby, Jr.
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1978)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1930s
Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics/Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Musical Type: Golden Age (1947)
When It’s Set: 1900s-1940s
Music/Lyrics: Various
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1985)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1930s
Music: Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Don Black Book: Ivan Menchell
Musical Type: Contemporary (2009)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1930s
Music: David Foster Lyrics: Susan Birkenhead Book: Bob Martin
Musical Type: Contemporary (2023)
When It’s Set: 1930s, 2020s
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Loften Mitchell
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1976)
When It’s Set: 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1970s
Music/Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman Book: A.J. Carothers
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1995)
When It’s Set: 1930s, 1990s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Christopher Curtis Book: Thomas Meehan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
When It’s Set: 1890s, 1910s, 1930s, 1950s
Music: Lucy Simon Lyrics: Michael Korie, Amy Powers Book: Michael Weller
Musical Type: Contemporary (2011)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1930s
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1976)
When It’s Set: 1930s-1950s
Music/Lyrics: Harold Rome Book: S.N. Behrman, Joshua Logan
Musical Type: Golden Age (1954)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1930s
Music: Jerry Bock Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick Book: Jerome Weidman, George Abbott
Musical Type: Golden Age (1959)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1930s
Music/Lyrics/Book: Michael John LaChiusa
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1993)
When It’s Set: 1930s, 1950s, 1960s
Music/Lyrics: George M. Cohan Lyrics: Mary Cohan Book: Michael Stewart, John Pascal, Francine Pascal
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1968)
When It’s Set: 1870s-1930s
Music/Lyrics: Michael John LaChiusa Book: Sybille Pearson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2009)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1950s
Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Arthur Laurents
Musical Type: Golden Age (1959)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1930s
Music: Jule Styne Lyrics: Adolph Green, Betty Comden Book: Arthur Laurents
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1967)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1960s
Music: Barry Manilow Lyrics/Book: Bruce Sussman
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1997)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1930s
Music/Lyrics: David Byrne Music: Fatboy Slim
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
When It’s Set: 1930s-1980s
Music: Harvey Schmidt Lyrics/Book: Tom Jones
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1966)
When It’s Set: 1890s-1940s
Music: Jelly Roll Morton, Luther Henderson Lyrics: Susan Birkenhead Book: George C. Wolfe
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1992)
When It’s Set: 1890s-1940s
Music/Lyrics: Bill Jacob, Patti Jacob Book: Melville Shavelson
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1969)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1930s
Music/Book: Matt Gould Lyrics/Book: Carson Kreitzer
Musical Type: Contemporary (2018)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1930s
Music: Cy Coleman Lyrics: Carolyn Leigh Book: Neil Simon
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1962)
When It’s Set: 1930s-1950s
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)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1940s
Music: Kurt Weill Lyrics: Various Book: Alfred Uhry
Musical Type: Contemporary (2007)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1950s
Music: Stephen Flaherty Lyrics: Gertrude Stein Adaptation: Frank Galati
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
When It’s Set: 1890s-1930s
Music/Lyrics: Jerry Herman Book: Michael Stewart
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1930s
Music/Lyrics: Jerry Herman Book: Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1966)
When It’s Set: 1920s-1940s
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Berry Gordy
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
When It’s Set: 1930s, 1950s-1980s
Music: George Fenton, Simon Chamberlain Lyrics: Don Black Book: Terry Johnson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
When It’s Set: 1930s-1940s
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman
Musical Type: Contemporary (2003)
When It’s Set: 1890s-1930s
Music: David Pomeranz, David Friedman Lyrics/Book: Kathie Lee Gifford
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1940s
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Music/Lyrics: Carol Hall Book: Larry L. King, Peter Masterson
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1978)
When It’s Set: 1930s, 1970s
Music/Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray Book: Marsha Norman
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
When It’s Set: 1900s-1940s
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Music/Lyrics: Darren Clark Lyrics/Book: Jethro Compton
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1980s
Music: Cy Coleman Lyrics: Betty Comden, Adolph Green Book: Peter Stone
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1991)
When It’s Set: 1910s-1930s
Music: Scott Frankel Lyrics: Michael Korie Book: Doug Wright
Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)
When It’s Set: 1930s-1960s
Music/Lyrics: PigPen Theatre Co. Book: Rick Elice
Musical Type: Contemporary (2023)
When It’s Set: 1930s, Present
Musicals Set Around the 1930s
Music/Lyrics: Frank Loesser Book: Jo Swerling, Abe Burrows
Musical Type: Golden Age (1950)
When It’s Set: Around the 1930s-1950s
Music: Guy Dubuc, Marc Lessard Music/Lyrics: Andreas Carlsson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)
When It’s Set: Around the 1930s-1950s