60+ Rock Musicals – The Full List of Shows
Whether you’re a producer of musical theatre, setting up your rep book, or simply looking for some new musicals to get into, it’s good to get familiar with what’s out there. And that’s why we’ve put together this full list of the best rock musicals for you below!
The following list is broken down into nine categories – “Alternative Rock”, “British Rock”, “Folk Rock”, “Glam Rock”, “Indie Rock”, “Punk Rock”, “Rock”, “Rock & Roll”, and “Rock/Mixed Genre”.
Here’s where you can find the full list of pop/rock musicals (featuring shows like Spring Awakening and Next to Normal).
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Alternative Rock Musicals
Music/Lyrics/Book: Ryan Scott Oliver
Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)
Music Genre: Alternative Rock
Music/Lyrics: Alanis Morissette Music: Glen Ballard, Guy Sigsworth, Michael Farrell Book: Diablo Cody
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2018)
Music Genre: Alternative Rock
Music/Lyrics: Juliana Nash Lyrics/Book: Julia Jordan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)
Music Genre: Alternative Rock
British Rock Musicals
Music/Lyrics: David Essex Book: Jon Conway
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2008)
Music Genre: British Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Willy Russell
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1983)
Music Genre: British Rock
Music/Lyrics: The Beatles
Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)
Music Genre: British Rock
Music/Lyrics: Ray Davies Book: Joe Penhall
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2014)
Music Genre: British Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Pete Townshend Book: Des McAnuff
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1992)
Music Genre: 1960s British Rock
Music/Lyrics: Queen Book: Ben Elton
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2002)
Music Genre: British Rock
Folk Rock Musicals
Music: John Hawkins, Richard Hill Lyrics/Book: Nevill Coghill Book: Martin Starkie
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1968)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music/Lyrics: Bob Dylan Book: Conor McPherson
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2017)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music: Galt MacDermot Lyrics/Book: Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1967)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1970)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Robbie Schaefer
Musical Type: Contemporary (2018)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music/Lyrics: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová Book: Enda Walsh
Musical Type: Contemporary (2011)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Peter Link, C.C. Courtney
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1969)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music: Nancy Ford Lyrics/Book: Gretchen Cryer
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1970)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music: Galt MacDermot Lyrics/Book: John Guare Book: Mel Shapiro
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1971)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music/Lyrics: Hal Hester, Danny Apolinar Book: Donald Driver
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1968)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Glam Rock Musicals
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Trask Book: John Cameron Mitchell
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1998)
Music Genre: Glam Rock
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Chris D’Arienzo
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2005)
Music Genre: Glam Rock
Indie Rock Musicals
Music/Lyrics/Book: Justin Huertas
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Music Genre: Indie Rock
Punk Rock Musicals
Music: Green Day Lyrics/Book: Billie Joe Armstrong Book: Michael Mayer
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2009)
Music Genre: Punk Rock
Music/Lyrics: Michael Friedman Book: Alex Timbers
Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)
Music Genre: Punk Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Fat Mike, Jeff Marx, Soma Snakeoil, David Goldsmith
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Music Genre: Punk Rock
Rock Musicals
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jim Steinman
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2017)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Paul Scott Goodman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1999)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: David Eric Davis Book: Sam Forman
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
Music Genre: Rock
Music: Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Jack Murphy Book: Ivan Menchell
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: George Reinblatt Music: Christopher Bond, Frank Cipolla, Melissa Morris
Musical Type: Contemporary (2003)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Kim Rosenstock, Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick
Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)
Music Genre: Rock
Gettin’ the Band Back Together
Music/Lyrics: Mark Allen Book: Ken Davenport, The Grundleshotz
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: The Go-Go’s Book: Jeff Whitty, James Magruder
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2015)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: Ryan Scott Oliver Book: Hunter Foster
Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: David Bowie Book: Enda Walsh
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Alan Stevens Hewitt Music/Lyrics/Book: Tim Maner
Musical Type: Contemporary (2009)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Joe Iconis
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: Michael Friedman Book: Alex Timbers
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: Billy Joel
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2002)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jonathan Larson
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1996)
Music Genre: Rock
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Glenn Slater Book: Julian Fellowes
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: Gary Clark, John Carney Book: Enda Walsh
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: Bono, The Edge Book: Julie Taymor, Glen Berger, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: Rob Rokicki Book: Joe Tracz
Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Richard O’Brien
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1973)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics: David Bryan Lyrics/Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Joe Iconis
Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)
Music Genre: Rock
Rock & Roll Musicals
Music: Alan Menken Lyrics: Glenn Slater Book: Chazz Palminteri
Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2005)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Floyd Mutrux, Colin Escott
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2009)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Buddy Holly, Various Book: Alan Janes
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Jukebox (1989)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Adam Schlesinger, David Javerbaum Book: Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2007)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1971)
Music Genre: 1950s Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Marc Shaiman Lyrics: Scott Wittman Book: Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Music Genre: 1960s Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Paul Williams Book: Garry Marshall
Musical Type: Contemporary (2007)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music: Bob Gaudio Lyrics: Bob Crewe Book: Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2004)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Ellie Greenwich & Friends Book: Anne Beatts
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Jukebox (1984)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: David Bryan Lyrics/Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Music Genre: 1950s Rock & Roll/Soul
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Colin Escott, Floyd Mutrux
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2006)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Return to the Forbidden Planet
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Bob Carlton
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Jukebox (1983)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1994)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music: Dana P. Rowe Lyrics/Book: John Dempsey
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1993)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Rock/Mixed Genres
Music/Lyrics: Tom Kitt Lyrics/Book: Cameron Crowe
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Music Genre: Rock (Classic, Folk, Psychedelic)/Musical Theatre
Music/Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe Book: Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)
Music Genre: Rock/Mixed
Music/Lyrics/Book: Joe Iconis Book: Lance Rubin, Jason SweetTooth Williams
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Music Genre: Musical Theatre/Soul/Funk/Rock/Rap
Music/Lyrics: Dengue Fever Book: Lauren Yee
Musical Type: Contemporary (2020)
Music Genre: Rock/Mixed
Music: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus Lyrics: Tim Rice Book: Richard Nelson
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)
Music Genre: Rock/Mixed
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: John Weidman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1999)
Music Genre: Jazz/Classical/Rock & Roll
Music: Trey Anastasio Music/Lyrics: Amanda Green Book: Doug Wright
Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)
Music Genre: Country/Rock/Soul/Gospel
Music: Helen Miller Lyrics: Eve Merriam
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1971)
Music Genre: Folk Rock/Soul
Music/Lyrics/Book: Richard Thomas, Stewart Lee
Musical Type: Contemporary (2001)
Music Genre: Rock Opera
Music: Peter Lurye Lyrics/Book: Kate Chavez, Robin Holloway, Lindsey Hope Pearlman, Lee D. Zlotoff
Musical Type: Contemporary (2022)
Music Genre: Rock/Musical Theatre
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jonathan Christenson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
Music Genre: Steampunk/Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Stew Music: Heidi Rodewald
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
Music Genre: Rock/Mixed
Music/Book: Dan Studney Lyrics/Book: Kevin Murphy
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1998)
Music Genre: Rock/Musical Theatre/Jazz
Music/Lyrics/Book: Rob Gathercole
Musical Type: Contemporary (2018)
Music Genre: Rock/Country/Rap/Jazz/Musical Theatre
Music/Lyrics: Boy George Music: Kevan Frost, John Themis, Richie Stevens Book: Mark Davies Markham, Charles Busch
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Music Genre: Musical Theatre/Pop/Rock/Reggae
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jim Steinman Lyrics/Book: Michael Kunze Book: David Ives
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)
Music Genre: Rock/Epic/Musical Theatre
Music: Dana P. Rowe Lyrics/Book: John Dempsey
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)
Music Genre: Rock/Musical Theatre/Gospel
Music/Lyrics: Sting Book: Lorne Campbell, John Logan, Brian Yorkey
Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)
Music Genre: Folk Rock/Pop/Celtic
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jonathan Larson
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Contemporary (1990/2001)
Music Genre: Rock/Mixed
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, Kees Prins
Musical Type: Contemporary/Jukebox (2018)
Music Genre: Rock/R&B/Soul
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Which of these rock musicals is your favorite?
Or have you ever played a role in any of the above rock musicals? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you like these types of lists, check out the musical database. That’s where you’ll find musicals sorted by composer, theme, setting, and 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 List. She has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.