Musical Lists

Rodgers and Hart Musicals – The Full List

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart (also known as Larry Hart) were a successful musical theatre writing duo known for their musical comedies and rom-coms between the 1920s and 40s. Together they wrote over 30 musicals for stage and Hollywood! Below you’ll find a full list of Rodgers and Hart musicals, sorted chronologically. And if you scroll down, you’ll also find a list of lesser-known works by the duo.


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Musicals by Rodgers and Hart

Dearest Enemy

Music: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics: Lorenz Hart  Book: Herbert Fields

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1925)

This collaboration between Rodgers and Hart marked their first entry into the mainstream. (To view their earlier collaborations, refer to the “additional works” section below!) The musical premiered on Broadway in 1925 and ran for over 250 performances.


The Girl Friend

Music: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics: Lorenz Hart  Book: Herbert Fields

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1926)

At 301 performances, The Girl Friend ran for even longer on Broadway, and the musical received positive reviews.


A Connecticut Yankee

Music: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics: Lorenz Hart  Book: Herbert Fields

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1927)

Based on the 1889 novel, A Connecticut Yankee ran on Broadway for over 400 performances. And after its closing, there were also a handful of revivals of the show.


Jumbo

Music: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics: Lorenz Hart  Book: Ben Hecht, Charles MacArthur

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1935)

Jumbo was a unique production in that it turned the 5000-seat Broadway theatre into a circus tent! The musical introduced the song “Little Girl Blue” and was made into a movie in 1962.


On Your Toes

Music/Book: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics/Book: Lorenz Hart  Book: George Abbott

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1936)

On Your Toes played both on Broadway and in London’s West End in the 1930s. This Broadway musical features the ballet, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, and was adapted into a film in 1939.


Babes in Arms

Music/Book: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics/Book: Lorenz Hart

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1937)

Babes in Arms was another moderate Broadway success that was made into a film. It’s also where you’ll find the hit songs “My Funny Valentine” and “The Lady Is a Tramp”.


The Boys from Syracuse

Music: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics: Lorenz Hart  Book: George Abbott

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1938)

The Boys from Syracuse was the first musical based on a Shakespeare play (The Comedy of Errors). After its New York and London runs, the show saw numerous revivals.


I Married an Angel

Music/Book: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics/Book: Lorenz Hart

Musical Type: Jazz Age (1938)

I Married an Angel is yet another musical that was quickly made into a film. The Broadway run was also followed by a long touring production.


Pal Joey

Music: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics: Lorenz Hart  Book: John O’Hara

Musical Type: Golden Age (1940)

Pal Joey initially received mixed reviews. However, the show is unique in that it received multiple revivals on Broadway and in the West End over the following decades.


By Jupiter

Music/Book: Richard Rodgers  Lyrics/Book: Lorenz Hart

Musical Type: Golden Age (1942)

By Jupiter was the last of Rodgers and Hart’s shows. This was the year before the formation of the partnership between Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.


Additional Work by Rodgers and Hart

These musicals were written by Rodgers and Hart, but don’t have cast albums or a large amount of information available online. The following are listed in our Musical Archive.


1919: A Lonely Romeo  *Technically the first collaboration between Rodgers and Hart!

1920: Fly with Me

1920: You’d Be Surprised

1920: Poor Little Ritz Girl

1921: Say Mama

1921: You’ll Never Know

1921: Say It With Jazz

1922: Jazz a la Carte

1923: If I Were King

1924: Temple Bells

1924: The Melody Man

1925: Bad Habits of 1925

1925: The Garrick Gaieties  *Rodgers believes their song “Manhattan” put them on the map.

1926: The Fifth Avenue Follies

1926: Lido Lady

1926: Peggy-Ann

1927: One Dam Thing After Another

1927: Betsy

1928: Present Arms  *Features the song “You Took Advantage of Me”

1928: She’s My Baby

1928: Chee-Chee

1929: Heads Up!

1929: Spring is Here

1930: Ever Green

1930: Simple Simon

1931: America’s Sweetheart

1937: I’d Rather Be Right

1939: Too Many Girls

1940: Higher and Higher


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Which of these musicals by Rodgers and Hart is your favorite?

Or have you ever played a role in one of the above Rodgers and Hart 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!


Stacy Karyn, Author of Musicals by Rodgers and Hart
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.


 

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