Tony season is over but these TV musicals are here to get us through the winter months.
When news broke that Hamilton was coming to Disney+, Theatre kids and newbies around the world rejoiced with the pure excitement of finally being able to be in the room where it happens. Now, that more people have experienced the pure joys of musical theatre through the high-quality capture of Broadway, the fun does not have to end there. Hamilton is only the tip of the iceberg, there’s so much more for you to discover. There are plenty of other plays and musicals that you can stream or even, hopefully, one day, watch live as performed by your local theatre, touring company, The West End, or even on Broadway.
Here are 17 musicals to keep fueling the fire and passion of your inner theatre kid. These plays have killer soundtracks for you to get obsessed with and/or impeccable storylines that will keep you wanting more even after the virtual, or perhaps even the actual, curtains close.
1. Newsies
It follows the story of Jack Kelly, a newspaper boy, and leader of the ragged band of “newsies” (fellow newspaper boys). The story highlights the power and significance of the so-called “little man”. Besides the riveting storyline, the Musical has outstanding choreography and a great musical score. The high-quality capture of the broadway magic of Newsies is available to watch on Disney+
2. In the Heights
3. Rock of Ages
The story follows the whirlwind romance of aspiring rock star, Drew Bowie, and small-town girl and aspiring actor, Sherrie Christian, as they desperately attempt to pursue their dreams whilst also being part of the movement to save The Bourban Room.
4. Kinky Boots
5. Evita
6. An American in Paris
7. Phantom of The Opera
8. Dear Evan Hansen
9. Chicago
Set in Chicago during the roaring ’20s and the hotbed of Jazz, this musical is a satirical take on the corruption of the administration of the criminal justice system. The music, lyrics, and choreography are catchy and sexy and the plotline itself is pure genius.
10. West Side Story
It follows the star-crossed lovers from two rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets, who are of different ethnic backgrounds. The dark themes, energetic choreography, music, and lyrics help to create a focus on the social issues in their neighborhood. The musical was turned into a movie in the ’60s and the remake (directed by Steven Spielberg) will be released this Christmas!
11. Rent
The music, lyrics, themes, and overall plot of the story emphasize the raw and emotional truth of being a struggling artist.
12. Fame
13. Heathers: The Musical
14. Little Shop of Horrors
15. Billy Elliot
16. Miss Saigon
17. SIX
With COVID-19 lockdowns and curfews still in places in most countries, what better way to spend those hours. These musicals will keep the passion for musical theatre burning, for now you will have more casts to obsessed with, choreography to learn, and songs to play on repeat which is perfect given that all of the musicals mentioned above have cast albums that are available on both Spotify and Apple Music as well as most other music streaming platforms.
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FAQs
You loved Hamilton on Disney+, now what? Here's 17 musicals to get obsessed with? ›
Les Miserables. Les Miserables is completely sung through just like Hamilton, while also being based on historical events. This musical is all about the July Revolution in France (after the French Revolution). It follows a large number of characters and how their lives all intertwine.
Are there any musicals as good as Hamilton? ›Les Miserables. Les Miserables is completely sung through just like Hamilton, while also being based on historical events. This musical is all about the July Revolution in France (after the French Revolution). It follows a large number of characters and how their lives all intertwine.
What other musicals are on Disney plus? ›- The Sound of Music (1965) Credit: Disney+ ...
- Hamilton (2020) Credit: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Nevis Productions, LLC. ...
- Mary Poppins (1964) Credit: Disney+ ...
- Newsies (1992) Credit: Disney+ ...
- The Greatest Showman (2017) ...
- Camp Rock (2008) ...
- The Lion King (1994) ...
- Beauty and the Beast (1991)
The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Broadway Theatre (Tony Awards) have 24 categories and are considered the highest U.S. theater honor. “Hamilton” holds the record for the most nominations. “Hamilton” received 16 nominations in 13 categories and won 11 awards, including best musical.
Why is Hamilton so popular? ›The story of Alexander Hamilton speaks to audiences on so many levels. The motifs of revolution and fighting for one's rights, the power of people coming together to fight for a common cause, a celebration of freedom and democracy, and its messages of hope and perseverance resonate deeply with audiences.
What age group is Hamilton appropriate for? ›In general, this is a show suitable for kids ages 13 and up, with a possible ok for kids in the 10-12 year range with parent supervision. I can't say Hamilton is kid-friendly, but it's appropriate for many ages of children.
What age is Hamilton Broadway appropriate for? ›Is there an age recommendation? Since HAMILTON contains some strong language, the show is recommended for ages 10+. Infants are not allowed in the theater. Children 5 years of age and above are permitted but must have their own ticket.
Why is Hamilton so addictive? ›Latham also cites two technical factors that might add to the addiction while going unnoticed by even the most obsessive of listeners: dynamics and tempo. "Musically, Hamilton fuses a base of rap and hip-hop with traditional musical theatre conventions.
Does anyone else not like Hamilton? ›Even some public figures have been critical. The actress Casey Wilson has been open about her distaste for "Hamilton" on her podcast. On LeBron James's HBO talk show, "The Shop," actor-comedian Jerrod Carmichael called it "terrible" and "the best community center performance" he'd ever seen.
What is the main message of Hamilton? ›“Hamilton” also speaks about whether the world is wide enough for all of us with different stances and beliefs to live and thrive in. It is a story that speaks about legacy and what we want it to be for our future generations and what path are we willing to take to make that possible.
What old musicals are on Disney plus? ›
- Aladdin.
- Beauty & the Beast.
- Cinderella.
- Coco.
- Encanto.
- Frozen.
- Hercules.
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Title | Genre | Premiere |
---|---|---|
The Mandalorian | Space western | November 12, 2019 |
The Right Stuff | Historical drama | October 9, 2020 |
WandaVision | Superhero romantic comedy-drama | January 15, 2021 |
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier | Superhero buddy action-adventure | March 19, 2021 |
1 – The Phantom of the Opera
And as the longest-standing performance on Broadway, EVER, the illustrious Phantom of the Opera is iconic to say the least.
Alexander Hamilton - 194 Million Listens
Spotify's most popular song in Hamilton is also the first in the play. "Alexander Hamilton," tells the audience the backstory of the titular character. Through the song, the audience learns that Hamilton is an overachiever despite the hardships he's faced in life.
The Lion King sits at the top, with a Broadway gross of $1.8 billion. Dates refer to original Broadway productions, with notes added for future productions that outran the Broadway run. Background shading indicates shows running in the week commencing 26 May 2023 in Broadway theatres.
What do you wear to the play Hamilton? ›So, would it be necessary to wear a suit or a long gown? Definitely not. However, it's nice to keep the tradition alive and make a small effort. Dark jeans or pants with a button down shirt, camisole, or sundress/cocktail dress would probably be the most appropriate attire.
Is there swearing in Hamilton? ›Swearing infrequently occurs throughout the musical in 3 songs, including abuses of "Christ" and "Jesus." One of the songs (Yorktown) mutes the use of the 'f' word. There is an implied 'f' word during the song "Say No to This" but is never finished being said.
Is Hamilton OK for a 11 year old? ›This was an amazing movie with great messages, but some scenes are definitely not suited for younger kids. There is a lot a swearing, and some inappropriate content. But overall, it is a great movie, especially for older kids/teens!
Why is Hamilton rated M? ›Parents Need to Know
The story does have mature themes, including adultery (there's a steamy number between Hamilton and a mistress) and dangerous rivalry throughout.
Hamilton is rated PG-13 for language and suggestive content. Is Hamilton kid friendly? Not for all kids due to language, war, adultery, and death. Disney did remove some things from the original musical to make Hamilton more kid friendly.
Is Hamilton appropriate for 6th graders? ›
The PG-13 rating is spot on.
The show feels geared towards older kids (tweens and up), not only for its mature content but also for the complicated ideas and historical frameworks present. It helps if your kid knows a thing or two about the American Revolution and Constitution.
Marquis de Lafayette
During "Aaron Burr, Sir," Alexander Hamilton is introduced to the guys who would become his friends going forward. It could be argued that the one who immediately stands out the most is Marquis de Lafayette.
Mabel has a crush on Alexander Hamilton before everyone even knew that would be a thing : r/gravityfalls.
Why does he spit so much in Hamilton? ›Some have argued that the spitting is a deliberate character choice, but the fact of the matter is that Groff simply has a habit of spitting while he performs.
Why do people love Hamilton? ›But maybe the reason everyone loves “Hamilton” is because the show loves them back, Miranda told GQ. “I think what people are responding to about Hamilton is that it's a musical, but it's not hermetically sealed,” he said. “It has a lot of influences from the rest of your life in it.
Why did people oppose Hamilton? ›Opposition to Hamilton's idea came from political rivals Thomas Jefferson and James Madison who believed the plan gave too much power to the Federal Government.
What are 3 things Hamilton is known for? ›Alexander Hamilton was a founding father of the United States, who fought in the American Revolutionary War, helped draft the Constitution, and served as the first secretary of the treasury.
What was the most important thing Hamilton did? ›Some of his biggest accomplishments included helping to defeat the British in the Revolutionary War, helping to push through the U.S. Constitution, being appointed the country's first secretary of the Treasury, and revolutionizing the nation's financial system.
Is Hamilton considered a masterpiece? ›Hamilton is an artistic masterpiece that will go down in history as one of Broadway's greatest achievements.
How is Hamilton different from other Broadway musicals? ›The musical tells the story of the Founding Fathers of America, Alexander Hamilton. This story is not just about revolution but it is a revolution itself. Its use of hip-hop, rap, rhythm and blues as part of the musical, along with the inclusiveness of its cast, is what sets this Broadway show apart from others.
Is Hamilton better than the greatest showman? ›
Whereas Barnum's story is ultimately a rather generic one of the importance of family, Hamilton's is far more nuanced, dealing with themes of legacy, pride, and ambition - traits which, despite being attributed to the real-life Barnum, are downplayed heavily in The Greatest Showman.
Is Hamilton better than Les Miserables? ›Hamilton is more historically accurate than Les Mis, that's for sure. Les Mis is based on a fictional story in a historical setting. Hamilton is based on a biography on an actual historical character. If you are looking for a musical on history, Hamilton's definitely the better choice.
What is so amazing about Hamilton? ›Great music and acting
Combining hip-hop, rap, jazz, R&B and Broadway tunes, Hamilton's score and lyrics are fresh, innovative and catchy.
Hamilton is a terrific piece of theatre. It combines a pastiche of musical theatre music with latin rhythms and hip hop influences. It has a color-blind casting point of view, which - though done before!
Why is Hamilton the musical unique? ›The show draws heavily from hip hop, as well as R&B, pop, soul, and traditional-style show tunes. It casts non-white actors as the Founding Fathers of the United States and other historical figures. Miranda described Hamilton as about "America then, as told by America now."
What was the Broadway Hamilton controversy? ›The most notable argument being made: That a number of the white historical figures in the musical, including perhaps Hamilton himself, owned slaves.
Why is Hamilton so expensive? ›Limited Supply and High Demand
One of the primary reasons why Hamilton Broadway tickets are so expensive is the laws of supply and demand. When the supply of something is limited and the demand is high, the price of that item will naturally increase. This is exactly what has happened with Hamilton tickets.
In Hamilton, John Laurens is portrayed as the protagonist's best friend and the best man at his wedding. To further emphasize their familial connection, Laurens is played by the same actor as Hamilton's son Philip. The two may have been even closer than friends, however.
Who sings the most lines in Hamilton? ›- Philip Hamilton: 85.
- Peggy Schuyler: 42.
- Maria Reynolds: 31.
- Samuel Seabury: 28.
- Charles Lee: 15.
- George Eacker: 11.
- James Reynolds: 10.
- Doctor: 6.
Ultimately, the first act is probably the one you'll end up watching more often. That's just how fun and entertaining it is. That being said, the story picks up in the second half and it's where everything pays off. There are so many turns and emotional beats in this act.
What is the best history of Hamilton? ›
Ron Chernow's biography is widely considered the best of them and was used as the basis for Hamilton the musical.
Is Hamilton still popular? ›Hamilton remains absolutely worth your time if you have any interest in musical theater, hip-hop, or historical drama. It might not feel quite as fresh and invigorating as it did during the height of Hamiltonmania, but it's still a vital pop culture touchstone for the last decade.