Musical Lists

17 Musical Theatre Song Cycles – The Full List

A musical song cycle is a group of songs that are designed to be performed together without the incorporation of a traditional plot. The songs are usually connected by some sort of theme. Musical theatre song cycles differ a bit from musical revues – which generally showcase a group of songs that are connected by a specific time period or composer.


Post Contents:

Musical Song Cycles

Song Cycle Mixes



35mm: A Musical Exhibition

Music/Lyrics/Book: Ryan Scott Oliver

Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)

Connecting Theme: The human experience


Elegies: A Song Cycle

Music/Lyrics: William Finn

Musical Type: Contemporary (2003)

Connecting Theme: Remembrance of departed friends


Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens

Music: Janet Hood  Lyrics/Book: Bill Russell

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1989)

Connecting Theme: Lives lost to AIDS


Fugitive Songs

Music: Chris Miller  Lyrics: Nathan Tysen

Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)

Connecting Theme: A journey across America


Ghost Quartet

Music/Lyrics/Book: Dave Malloy

Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)

Connecting Theme: Love, death and whiskey


Is There Life After High School?

Music/Lyrics: Craig Carnelia  Book: Jeffrey Kindley

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

Connecting Theme: High school experiences


Legacy – Two Song Cycles

Music: Stephen Flaherty  Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens

Musical Type: Contemporary (2020)

Connecting Theme: Unpredictable times and NYC


Myths & Hymns

Music/Lyrics: Adam Guettel

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1998)

Connecting Theme: Faith, spirituality, and enlightenment


See Rock City and Other Destinations

Music: Brad Alexander  Lyrics/Book: Adam Mathias

Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)

Connecting Theme: Connections made at USA tourist destinations


Songs for a New World

Music/Lyrics: Jason Robert Brown

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1995)

Connecting Theme: Self-discovery


The Theory of Relativity

Music/Lyrics: Neil Bartram  Book: Brian Hill

Musical Type: Contemporary (2014)

Connecting Theme: The interconnectedness of humans


We Aren’t Kids Anymore

Music/Lyrics: Drew Gasparini

Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)

Connecting Theme: The realities of growing up


The following shows are more of a mix between song cycles and other genres (musicals, revues, etc.). Some may consider the following to be “song cycles” while may not.


Closer Than Ever

Music: David Shire  Lyrics: Richard Maltby, Jr.

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1989)

Connecting Theme: Life phases and relationships


I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Music: Jimmy Roberts  Lyrics/Book: Joe DiPietro

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1996)

Connecting Theme: Dating and relationships


Song and Dance

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber  Lyrics: Don Black, Richard Maltby, Jr.

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1982)

Connecting Theme: Love and life in NYC


Tell Me on a Sunday

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber  Lyrics: Don Black

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1979)

Connecting Theme: Love and life in NYC


Things to Ruin

Music/Lyrics/Book: Joe Iconis  Concept: John Simpkins

Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)

Connecting Theme: Commotion and human experience



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Which of these song cycles is your favorite?

Or have you ever played a role in any of the above musical song cycles? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you enjoy exploring these lists, check out the musical database, where you can discover musicals organized by composer, theme, setting, and much 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 ListShe holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

Photo of Stacy Karyn

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