Plays/musicals set at amusement/theme parks?

[aces25]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 10:48am

Hello, I'm doing some research. What are some plays/musicals set at amusement/theme parks? How was the atmosphere created and replicated on stage? 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 12:52pm

Liliom/Carousel 

Carousel if the musical adaptation of Liliom.  Both are classics so have been produced many times.  Neither is fully set at the park.

Updated On: 2/27/21 at 12:52 PM

[Mark_E]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 1:04pm

Ride the Cyclone

Love Never Dies

All the Fun of the Fair (awful British jukebox musical)

 

Plenty clips on youtube and there's a professional shooting of Love Never Dies.

[bowtie7]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 4:52pm

I Had a Ball is set on Coney Island.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vtTNnWHwa0

[Fan123]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 5:12pm

If you're looking for shows which depict things that might happen at modern amusement/theme parks, then you could investigate stagings of 'Assassins' (the opening number is set at a shooting gallery) and 'Side Show' (the song 'Tunnel of Love' is set on a ride).

There are other shows which which feature a (to my knowledge) more old-fashioned type of theme park, circus or travelling fair, with depictions of the carnies putting on side shows and acts for the audience to watch. These include 'Carnival', 'On The Town', and the 'Pippin' revival.

I'm not very familiar with most of these shows' stagings, but I know that 'Carnival' uses the show's opening instrumental piece to depict the carnies setting up the travelling fair, transforming an empty meadow into a fairground. The show also has the carnival roustabouts visibly moving set pieces and scenery throughout the show, in character as roustabouts doing their job.

By the way, for those who aren't aware, apparently 'Ride The Cyclone' has recorded a cast album: http://www.emilyrohm.com/blog/an-update-about-my-debut-solo-album.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 6:01pm

BIG: The Musical and ALL SHOOK UP have big scenes that take place in an amusement park.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 6:51pm

So does Tuck Everlasting.

[Luvinbroadway]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 7:14pm

The Rink

[darquegk]

Posted: 2/27/21 at 10:08pm

The musical I’m currently writing (based loosely on “The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari”) has a secondary plot which revolves around a corrupt city council doing everything it can to avoid disruptions to the lucrative town fair, where much of the action takes place.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 2/28/21 at 12:39am

They used 4 turntables to do a working tilt-a-whirl in Groundhog Day, that was magical.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/28/21 at 6:40am

I saw a local production of CATS that moved the action for a junkyard to a rundown amusement park. It was REALLY cool.

[Bruxental]

Posted: 10/20/23 at 6:05pm

When it comes to plays/musicals set at amusement/theme parks, one popular option is "Carousel" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It's all about a seaside amusement park and has lively music, colorful costumes, and energetic dance numbers. Another one is "Wonderland," which is a musical adaptation of Alice's adventures set in a theme park. The stage design and special effects really bring the park to life. Actually, you can just look for a list of the best amusement parks and choose the one you like the most. UPD: sorry, didn't notice the thread is old. Sorry for bumping.

Updated On: 10/20/23 at 06:05 PM

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 10/20/23 at 8:29pm

I realize this is a little late for the OP, but several shows feature scenes at Worlds Fairs. Of course in the classic SHOWBOAT, Act II opens at Chicago's White City for the World Columbia Exposition of 1893. ASSASINS features the murder of President McKinley at the Pan American Exposition at Buffalo, 1901. MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS closes at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904.

In non-Worlds Fair news, Kander & Ebb's STEEL PIER entirely takes place on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in 1933, and  SIDE SHOW starts in a traveling circus in the 1920's. 

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 10/20/23 at 8:43pm

Sweet Charity

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 10/20/23 at 9:18pm

Bruxental said: "When it comes to plays/musicals set at amusement/theme parks, one popular option is "Carousel" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It's all about a seaside amusement park and has lively music, colorful costumes, and energetic dance numbers."

That's the cheeriest description I've ever heard of Carousel haha

[Soozie]

Posted: 10/20/23 at 10:26pm

The musical, State Fair

[Ensemble1748994936]

Posted: 6/4/25 at 12:59am

Great research topic! There are a few plays and musicals that use amusement or theme parks as their setting, each handling the replication of atmosphere in unique and theatrical ways.

Updated On: 6/5/25 at 12:59 AM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 6/4/25 at 8:50am

The amusement pier set in the recent SKIN OF OUR TEETH revival was wonderful, with a "roller coaster" slide in back IIRC.

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 6/4/25 at 9:08am

Six Flags Great Adventure in Kimberly Akimbo

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/4/25 at 9:22am

Scarywarhol said: "The amusement pier set in the recent SKIN OF OUR TEETH revival was wonderful, with a "roller coaster"slide in back IIRC."