70+ Rock Musicals – The Full List of Shows
Are you looking for the perfect rock musical? Below, you’ll find rock musicals of every kind imaginable, spanning genres from folk rock to glam rock, punk, and alternative.
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This list is broken down into the following categories:
Here’s the full list of pop/rock shows (like Spring Awakening and Next to Normal).
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 (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 (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 (2014)
Music Genre: British Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Pete Townshend Book: Des McAnuff
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1992)
Music Genre: British Rock
Music/Lyrics: Queen Book: Ben Elton
Musical Type: Contemporary (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 / Musical Theatre
Music/Lyrics: Bob Dylan Book: Conor McPherson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music: Galt MacDermot Lyrics/Book: Gerome Ragni, James Rado
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1967)
Music Genre: Folk Rock / Soul
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1970)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music/Lyrics: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová Book: Enda Walsh
Musical Type: Contemporary (2011)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music: Nancy Ford Lyrics/Book: Gretchen Cryer
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1970)
Music Genre: Folk Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Benjamin Scheuer
Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)
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
These shows feature glam rock music, which popularized in the early 1970s – 1980s.
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 (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 (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
These shows feature a general rock sound with mostly contemporary music.
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jim Steinman
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
Music Genre: Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Paul Scott Goodman
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1999)
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
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 (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/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
The following musicals feature 1950s – late 1960s style rock & roll music.
Music: Alan Menken Lyrics: Glenn Slater Book: Chazz Palminteri
Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics/Book: The Heather Brothers
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1989)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Floyd Mutrux, Colin Escott
Musical Type: Contemporary (2009)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Buddy Holly, Various Book: Alan Janes
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (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: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Marc Shaiman Lyrics: Scott Wittman Book: Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Music Genre: 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 (2004)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Ellie Greenwich & Friends Book: Anne Beatts
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Colin Escott, Floyd Mutrux
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
Music Genre: Rock & Roll
Return to the Forbidden Planet
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Bob Carlton
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (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: Janis Joplin, Various Book: Randy Johnson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)
Music Genres: Blues / Rock / Soul
Music/Lyrics: Tom Kitt Lyrics/Book: Cameron Crowe
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Music Genres: Musical Theatre / Rock (Classic, Folk, Psychedelic)
Music/Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe Book: Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)
Music Genres: Musical Theatre / Rock
Music: Frank Wildhorn Lyrics: Don Black Book: Ivan Menchell
Musical Type: Contemporary (2009)
Music Genres: Country / Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Joe Iconis Book: Lance Rubin, Jason SweetTooth Williams
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Music Genres: Funk / Musical Theatre / Rap / Rock / Soul
Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Lee Adams Book: Michael Stewart
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1960)
Music Genres: Musical Theatre / Rock & Roll
Music: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus Lyrics: Tim Rice Book: Richard Nelson
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1984)
Music Genres: Classical / Pop / Musical Theatre / Rock
Music/Lyrics: Michael Mahler, Alan Schmuckler Book: Kevin Del Aguila
Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)
Music Genres: Musical Theatre / Pop / Rap / Rock
Music/Lyrics: Jimmy Buffett Book: Greg Garcia, Mike O’Malley
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
Music Genres: Country / Tropical Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Kim Rosenstock, Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick
Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)
Music Genres: Musical Theatre / Rock
Music: Trey Anastasio Music/Lyrics: Amanda Green Book: Doug Wright
Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)
Music Genres: Country / Gospel / Rock / Soul
Music: Helen Miller Lyrics: Eve Merriam
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1971)
Music Genres: Folk-Rock / Soul
Music/Lyrics/Book: Richard Thomas, Stewart Lee
Musical Type: Contemporary (2001)
Music Genres: Rock Opera
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Tim Rice
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1968)
Music Genres: Calypso / Country / Musical Theatre / Pop / Rock & Roll
Music: Taliep Petersen Lyrics/Book: David Kramer
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1996)
Music Genres: Doo-Wop / Jazz / Pop / Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics: David Bryan Lyrics/Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Music Genres: Gospel / Rock & Roll / Soul
Music/Lyrics: Billy Joel
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Music Genres: Classical / Rock
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jonathan Christenson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
Music Genres: Rock / Steampunk
Music/Lyrics/Book: Stew Music: Heidi Rodewald
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
Music Genres: Rock / Gospel
Music/Book: Dan Studney Lyrics/Book: Kevin Murphy
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1998)
Music Genres: Jazz / Musical Theatre / Rock
Music/Lyrics: Johnny Cash Concept/Creation: Bill Meade, Richard Maltby, Jr.
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
Music Genres: Country / Rock
Music/Lyrics: Boy George Music: Kevan Frost, John Themis, Richie Stevens Book: Mark Davies Markham, Charles Busch
Musical Type: Contemporary (2002)
Music Genres: Musical Theatre / Pop / Reggae / Rock
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Ed Curtis
Musical Type: Contemporary (2021)
Music Genres: Pop / Rock & Roll / Soul
Music: Dana P. Rowe Lyrics/Book: John Dempsey
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)
Music Genres: Gospel / Musical Theatre / Rock
Music/Lyrics: Sting Book: Lorne Campbell, John Logan, Brian Yorkey
Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)
Music Genres: Celtic / Folk-Rock / Pop
Music/Lyrics/Book: Justin Levine Music/Lyrics: Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance Book: Adam Rapp
Musical Type: Contemporary (2023)
Music Genres: Country / Folk / Rock & Roll
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jonathan Larson
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary/Contemporary (1990/2001)
Music Genres: Musical Theatre / Rock
Music/Lyrics: Various Book: Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, Kees Prins
Musical Type: Contemporary (2018)
Music Genres: R&B / Rock / 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 holds a BA in theatre, a TESOL drama certificate, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.