Did you know that these popular Broadway shows were based on books? Check out the original inspiration behind some of Broadway’s current hits.

1. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker

The Pulitzer-prize winning story of African-American women in Georgia in the 1930s turned into a musical 23 years later. The revival of the show last year earned it two Tony Awards. Raw and explicit, the book examines the factors swirling in the women’s lives including violence, racism, sexual discovery and sisterhood.

2. “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic” by Alison Bechdel

The Tony-winning musical of the same name is based on a graphic memoir that focuses on the author’s childhood and her tumultuous relationship with her father. The memoir tackles topics such as sexual orientation, gender, suicide and emotional abuse within the parameters of complex family life.

3. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time” by Mark Haddon

With a title quoting the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, the book and musical follow an English teenage boy’s journey to discover the killer of the neighbor’s dog as he and his family handle his unstated but implied Asperger’s syndrome and mathematical genius. Fun fact: the book reinforces the strong math theme by using prime numbers to number the chapters.

4. “Wicked: The Life and TImes of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire

What became the beloved hit musical “Wicked” started as a revisionist novel in a series that delved into the characters from the land of Oz. Unlike its inspirations, this book was not meant for children with its adult language, explicit sexual content and violent imagery.

5. “Le Fantôme de l'Opéra” by Gaston Leroux

Darker than Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous operatic musical “Phantom of the Opera,” the French turn-of-the-century novel’s haunted opera house featured a much more sinister and violent phantom/stalker. Based partly on the historical events at the Paris Opera during the 1800s, the novel is a much read for its fascinating mystery, twisting plot and swoon-worthy romance.

6. “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo

The timeless French historical novel published in 1862 follows the well known plot of former convict Jean Valjean evading the law while raising the daughter of a factory worker. Packed with suspense, justice, politics and history, the book is well worth the read.

7. “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow

Historian Ron Chernow’s award-winning biography of the Founding Father sparked the inspiration for Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Tony-winning hit rap musical “Hamilton.” Published in 2004, the biography delves into Hamilton’s life, making history easy to digest. Fun fact: Chernow served as a historical consultant on the musical production.

8. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl

This British children’s novel tells the story of a young precocious and neglected girl who reveals her power of telekinesis to her befriended kindergarten teacher. Charming and uplifting, “Matilda” is an excellent book to take you down memory lane to your childhood.

9. “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Elliot

The inspiration for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical “Cats” came from a whimsical book of poetry about felines. Written in the 1930s, the 15 poems include the well-known “The Naming of Cats” and Elliot’s signature playful and creative style.

10. “The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi” published by Joseph Smith

Read the sacred text that started the Broadway sensation of the same name by the creators of “South Park.” While the satirical musical takes its own spin on Mormonism, it does reference the text first published by Joseph Smith in 1830. With over 150 million copies sold worldwide, “The Book of Mormon” is for fans of the musical and religion studies who want to learn more about the faith.

11. “The Last Testament: A Memoir By God” by David Javerbaum

Continuing on the religion theme, comedian David Javerbaum gives his interpretation of a celebrity-like God who wants to talk about the creation of the universe along with His thoughts on “American Idol” in His “autobiography.” You’re in for a heavenly treat with the laugh-out-loud book behind the comedy “An Act of God.”

12. “Tevye and his Daughters” by Sholem Aleichem

The timeless “Fiddler on the Roof” is based on eight stories about fictional Tevye the Dairyman by Yiddish author and playwright Sholem Aleichem.

13. “The Book of One Thousand and One Nights”

The musical “Aladdin” comes from the Disney film based on the Middle Eastern folk tale by the same name. Found in “The Book of One Thousand and One Nights,” the story follows Aladdin as a sorcerer persuades him to get an oil lamp. With the help from a genie, Aladdin goes from being impoverished to rich. The sorcerer, though, plots against him and … you’ll have to read the rest yourself.