The Best Rock n Roll Musicals of All Time

A list of the best rock n roll musicals of all time. These are the shows that have wowed audiences and kept them coming back for more.

“Rock of Ages”

“Rock of Ages” is a jukebox musical built around classic rock hits from the 1980s. The show tells the story of a small-town girl who falls in love with a big-city rocker, and features hits from bands like Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi, and more.

“Rent”

“Rent” is a musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. The musical is based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La bohème,” and tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

The musical Rent has been praised for its depiction of bohemian life in the East Village, as well as its frank discussions of drugs, sexuality, and AIDS. It has also been awarded several Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book.

“Hair”

“Hair” is a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. A product of the counterculture and sexual revolution of the late 1960s, several of its songs became anthems of the anti-Vietnam War peace movement. The musical’s profanity, its depiction of the use of illegal drugs, its treatment of sexuality, its irreverence for the American flag, and its nakedness on stage were also controversial at the time.

“The Who’s Tommy”

Tommy is a rock musical based on The Who’s 1969 album Tommy. The story is about a “deaf, dumb, and blind” boy who becomes a messiah-like figure. The music is performed by a live band, and the lyrics are written by Pete Townshend.

“Spring Awakening”

“Spring Awakening” is a 2006 Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1891 German play of the same name by Frank Wedekind. It tells the story of teenagers in a conservative society who are discovering their sexuality. The musical has been praised for its frank treatment of teenage sexuality and its use of rock music to convey the emotions of the characters.

“American Idiot”

Rock musicals are a genre all their own, and they’ve been thrilling audiences for decades. From early classics like “Hair” to more recent hits like “Rent” and “Spring Awakening,” there are plenty of great rock musicals to choose from. But which ones are the best of the best? We’ve narrowed it down to our top ten favorites.

One of the most popular rock musicals of all time is “American Idiot.” Based on the album of the same name by Green Day, “American Idiot” tells the story of a group of friends who leave their small town to pursue their dreams in the big city. The music is high-energy and catchy, and the show is full of unforgettable moments.

Other standout rock musicals include “Rent,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and “Tommy.” These shows are all unique in their own way, but they all have one thing in common: they get your heart pumping and your feet moving. So if you’re looking for a good time at the theater, be sure to check out one of these incredible rock musicals.

“Passing Strange”

“Passing Strange” is a rock n roll musical with a book by Stew and directed by Annie Dorsen. The story follows the journey of a black man, “Youth” (played by Michael Potts), from his hometown of Los Angeles to Amsterdam and Berlin in search of his “true identity.” Along the way, he experiences love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

The music in “Passing Strange” is a mix of rock, R&B, gospel, and jazz, and the lyrics are smart and insightful. The show received rave reviews when it opened on Broadway in 2008, and it won the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. If you’re a fan of rock music and musical theater, “Passing Strange” is a must-see.

“Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”

“Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” is a 2010 rock musical about the life of United States President Andrew Jackson, with a book by Alex Timbers and music and lyrics by Michael Friedman. The musical dramatizes Jackson’s controversial presidency, particularly his actions during the Indian Removal Act.

The show received generally positive reviews, with many critics lauding its energy, humor, and irreverence. It was nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

“The Rocky Horror Show”

“The Rocky Horror Show” is a 1973 musical with music, lyrics and a book by Richard O’Brien. It is a parody of B horror movies of the 1930s through to the early 1970s, and tells the story of Brad and Janet, two clean-cut Americans who end up lost in the woods on their way to visit an old college professor. They find themselves at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a self-proclaimed “transsexual from Transylvania”, who is in the midst of creating his own personal sex slave.

” Hedwig and the Angry Inch”

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is a cult classic rock musical with a loyal following among music fans and theater geeks alike. The story follows Hedwig, a transgender woman from East Germany who comes to America in search of her rock n roll dreams. Along the way, she falls in love with a dashing English rocker, but their relationship is cut short when he is drafted into the army. Hedwig is left heartbroken and angry, leading her to write some of her most anguished and energetic songs. The musical was originally performed as a one-woman show, but has since been adapted for the stage and screen. It’s a raucous, funny, and deeply moving story that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.