Historical musicals

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 4/8/19 at 11:29pm

Hey all! Sorry if this post is annoying but I would really love to hear all of your recommendations. I'm currently a history major who got here thanks to Sondheim's Assassins, and I guess I have a niche interest in historical musicals (Parade, 1776, Clinton the musical, the Fix, Ragtime, etc) and I would love if anyone had some suggestions for more musicals that I might enjoy. Thank you!!

[VonTrappFamilySinger]

Posted: 4/8/19 at 11:39pm

I'd recommend The Scottsboro Boys, Rags, Evita, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Pacific Overtures, and Fiorello!

[Emmaloucbway]

Posted: 4/8/19 at 11:51pm

Is Hamilton too obvious of a suggestion? 

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 4/8/19 at 11:56pm

Bonnie & Clyde, Allegiance, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, and Come from Away

And I was surprised Ham wasn't like the first one up too Emma

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 12:01am

Of course, Hamilton has to be on that list. Also, I suppose, Come From Away. Would The King and I fit here too?

Then there are other musicals featuring fictional characters in shows (Hair, Falsettos, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof) the evoke a definite era. And others (Fun Home) featuring characters based on real people which are not historical characters. I believe Kinky Boots and The Band’s Visit (and their previous movies) are also based on a true stories. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Updated On: 4/9/19 at 12:01 AM

[Impossible2]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 12:05am

Six!

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 9:00am

Floyd Collins is based on an actual historical event. I'd also recommend Ragtime - technically the story is fiction, but it weaves in actual historical events and figures

Updated On: 4/9/19 at 09:00 AM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 9:51am

You seem to be asking particularly about American historical musicals.

Franklin in Paris
Love Life
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Teddy and Alice
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Parade
The Scottsboro Boys
Fiorello
Jimmy
Onward Victoria
Allegiance
Come From Away
Hamilton
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Knickerbocker Holiday 
Tintypes
Quilters
The Civil War (sort of)
Road Show
Assassins

not to mention show biz history, i.e. bio, musicals like
Gypsy
Shuffle Along
The Will Rogers Follies
Funny Girl
Side Show
George M
Jersey Boys
The Cher Show
Ain't Too Proud to Beg|
Beautiful
Summer 

Updated On: 4/9/19 at 09:51 AM

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 11:15am

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue would definitely be up your...avenue.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 11:21am

Anastasia is also based on a true story but the musical is more historical fiction. 

I would add On Your Feet to the list of bio musicals above.

Both of these are currently touring the US.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 11:28am

Titanic?
First Daughter Suite?

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 4/9/19 at 11:42am

Also, it's technically an opera, but Nixon in China is absolutely phenomenal. You might also check out Henry Miller's The American Clock, which is a vaudeville-style semi-musical piece about the depression (see also Pennies From Heaven, which also utilizes upbeat, depression-era songs with biting, hard-edged irony). The Wild Party is also worth a look, as it specifically satirizes and details the tougher side of the roaring twenties.