There’s something magical about musical theatre—the way it can lift us out of everyday life and immerse us in worlds filled with soaring melodies and raw emotion. Many of these shows have captured the hearts of theatre lovers everywhere and gained a faithful following. If you’re looking for a show that always hits the right notes, check out our top 10 most-popular musicals below.
10. LIZZIE Music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer & Alan Stevens Hewitt, Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer & Tim Maner, Book & Additional Music by Tim Maner, Orchestrations & Additional Lyrics by Alan Stevens Hewitt, Based on an original concept by Alan Stevens Hewitt & Tim Maner
Photo by Pamela Raith Photography, 2023 Hope Mill Theatre production
In the heat of late summer 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife are found murdered in their house. The main suspect in the murders is Andrew’s youngest daughter from a previous marriage, Lizzie Borden. Using a searing rock score, and based on the historical record, LIZZIE explores the heady and heated days leading up to the murder and Lizzie’s controversial acquittal of all charges and the creation of a new American myth.
9. All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 Written by Peter Rothstein, Vocal Arrangements by Erick Lichte & Timothy C. Takach
Photo courtesy of Theater Latté Da, 2019 production
The Western Front: Christmas 1914. Out of the violence of World War I, a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, and peace. An a cappella chorale, All Is Calm is a remarkable true story in the words and songs of the men who lived it.
8. Gilligan’s Island: The Musical Words & Music by Hope & Laurence Juber, Book by Sherwood Schwartz & Lloyd J. Schwartz, Based on the TV show “Gilligan’s Island” created by Sherwood Schwartz
Gilligan’s Island: The Musical is a family-friendly stage musical version of the ever-popular and iconic 60’s TV comedy show “Gilligan’s Island”. Shipwrecked on a remote Pacific island, the seven castaways build huts and begin to explore their surroundings. They discover strange hieroglyphics in a spooky cave, which speak of an ancient legend. The weather gets rough, Gilligan foils the best-laid of the castaway’s rescue plans…romance develops…the castaways have an out-of-this-world encounter…it’s fun, wacky and entertaining with 18 original, tuneful and memorable songs.
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book by Kevin del Aguila, Music & Lyrics by Michael Mahler & Alan Schmuckler, Based on the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Book Series by Jeff Kinney & 20th Century Studios
Photo courtesy of Children’s Theater of Madison, 2024 production
Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. But Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way. Jeff Kinney’s popular character takes center stage as Greg’s cartoon diary becomes a hilarious and heartfelt musical. Will Greg’s plans to become popular lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.
6. Hedwig and the Angry Inch Text by John Cameron Mitchell, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Trask
Photo by Sara Krulwich, 2014 Broadway production
This groundbreaking Obie-winning Off-Broadway smash that took Broadway by storm in its Tony Award®–winning 2014 revival also won multiple awards for its hit film adaptation. It tells the story of “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just “an angry inch.” This outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (née Hansel) in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band “The Angry Inch.” Using songs and monologues, Hedwig tells her story, which began in the former East Berlin where as Hansel he meets Luther, an American GI who promises to take the young man to the States on the condition that he switch his sex. After the bungled operation, Luther abandons newly named Hedwig in a Kansas trailer park, where she turns to music and meets geeky Tommy Speck, whom she takes under her wing and soon falls for. Tommy steals her songs, achieves rock star fame, and Hedwig is once again cast aside. She decides to demand redress and stalks Tommy’s world tour, performing in the T.G.I. Fridays that are situated next door to his stadiums. Hedwig describes her life’s search for “The Origin of Love” and her other half. It’s a rocking ride, funny, touching, and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile.
5. The Great American Trailer Park Musical Music & Lyrics by David Nehls, Book by Betsy Kelso
Photo courtesy of San Diego State University, 2015 production
There’s a new tenant at Armadillo Acres—and she’s wreaking havoc all over Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil–loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband—the storms begin to brew.
4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical Book and Lyrics by Jahnna Beecham, Music & Lyrics by Malcolm Hillgartner, Based on the Play by Barbara Robinson
Photo by Barry Brown Photography, 2022 Cumberland County Playhouse production
The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world–so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon, everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic.
3. Winter Wonderettes Written & Created by Roger Bean, Vocal Arrangements by Roger Bean & Brian Baker, Musical Arrangements by Brian Baker
Photo by Kristen Wheeler, 2014 TheatreWorks Florida production
The Wonderettes are back! This seasonal celebration finds the girls entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls use their talent and creative ingenuity to save the holiday party! Featuring great ’60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” and “Winter Wonderland,” the result is, of course, marvelous! This energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.
- Also available: The Marvelous Wonderettes
2. Ride the Cyclone Book, Music & Lyrics by Jacob Richmond a&nd Brooke Maxwell
Photo by Liz Lauren, 2015 Chicago Shakespeare Theater production
In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived!
- Also available: Ride the Cyclone: High School Edition
1. Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville Book by Greg Garcia & Mike O’Malley, Music & Lyrics by Jimmy Buffett
Photo by Sara Krulwich, 2018 Broadway production
Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville is a musical comedy featuring the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Fins,” “Volcano,” and many more. With a book by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia (“My Name is Earl,” “Raising Hope”) and Emmy nominee Mike O’Malley (“Survivor’s Remorse,” “Shameless”), this hilarious, heartwarming musical is the party you’ve been waiting for!
- Also available: Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville: High School Edition
