35+ Musicals Written By Black Artists – The Full List of Shows
This list of musicals written by Black artists includes more mainstream works by Black composers, lyricists, and book writers. The list highlights musical theatre created by Black artists across different eras, styles, and creative teams.
Musicals Written by Black Artists
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Creators: Michael R. Jackson
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1978)
Creators: Thomas “Fats” Waller, Murray Horwitz, Richard Maltby, Jr., and Others
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
Creators: The Legendary Motown Catalog and Dominique Morisseau
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1985)
Creators: Various Artists
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1961)
Creators: Langston Hughes and Others
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1995)
Creators: Daryl Waters, Zane Mark, Ann Duquesnay, George C. Wolfe, and Reg E. Gaines
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1976)
Creators: Loften Mitchell and Others
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1971)
Creators: Micki Grant and Vinnette Carroll
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1972)
Creators: Melvin Van Peebles
Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)
Creators: Fela Kuti, Bill T. Jones, and Jim Lewis
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1990)
Creators: Louis Jordan and Clarke Peters
Musical Type: Contemporary (2023)
Creators: Alicia Keys, Kristoffer Diaz, and Others
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1999)
Creators: Charles Bevel, Lita Gaithers, Randal Myler, Ron Taylor, and Dan Wheetman
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1992)
Creators: Jelly Roll Morton, Luther Henderson, Susan Birkenhead, and George C. Wolfe
Musical Type: Golden Age (1959)
Creators: Todd Matshikiza, Pat Williams, and Harry Bloom
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)
Creators: Will Holt, Linda Hopkins, and Others
Musical Type: Contemporary (2022)
Creators: Lynn Nottage and Others
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
Creators: Berry Gordy and Others
Musical Type: Contemporary (2023)
Creators: John Kander, Fred Ebb, Lin-Manuel Miranda, David Thompson, and Sharon Washington
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
Creators: Stew and Heidi Rodewald
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1996)
Creators: Cheryl West, Duke Ellington, and Others
Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)
Creators: Douglas Lyons, Greg Borowsky, and Melvin Tunstall III
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1970)
Creators: Gary Geld, Peter Udell, Ossie Davis, and Philip Rose
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1987)
Creators: Mbongeni Ngema and Hugh Masekela
Musical Type: Jazz Age (1921)
Creators: Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, Flournoy Miller, and Aubrey Lyles
Musical Type: Golden Age (1957)
Creators: David Martin and Langston Hughes
Musical Type: Contemporary (2022)
Creators: Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Matthew López, and Amber Ruffin
Musical Type: Golden Age (1946)
Creators: Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Arna Bontemps, and Countee Cullen
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
Creators: Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara, Colman Domingo, Robert Cary, Des McAnuff, and Others
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1998)
Creators: Paul Simon and Derek Walcott
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
Creators: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray, and Marsha Norman
Musical Type: Contemporary (2021)
Creators: Ed Curtis and Others
Musical Type: Contemporary (2021)
Creators: Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey, and Kwame Kwei-Armah
Musical Type: Contemporary (2000)
Creators: Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1974)
Creators: Charlie Smalls and William F. Brown
Musical Type: Contemporary (2018)
Creators: Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, Kees Prins, and Others
Musical Type: Contemporary (2023)
Creators: Michael R. Jackson
Musical Type: Late 20th Century (1977)
Creators: Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, James Taylor, and Nina Faso