Let's be real, the only reason many of us managed to pass history was because of some of these beauties.
1. "Pacific Overtures"
"Pacific Overtures" is about the Westernization of Japan, told from the point of view of the Japanese. In 1853 Commodore Matthew Perry journeyed his warships to Japan, which had been closed to foreigners for centuries. The perspective of the invaded instead of the invaders shows how their culture has been tainted and warped through the West's desire to "civilize" the world.
2. "1776"
This musical comedy follows John Adams as he convinces Congress to declare independence from Great Britain. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin persuade Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence to stall their attempts to convince the colonies to support independence.
3. "The Scarlet Pimpernel"
Based on the novel by Baroness Orczy, "The Scarlet Pimpernel" tells the story of the French Revolution from the perspective of a few Englishmen. It takes place during the Reign of Terror (5 September 1793 - 28 July 1794), the highest point of violence in the revolution.
4. "Sunday In the Park With George"
The musical was inspired by Georges Seurat's painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" (which you may recognize from "Ferris Beuller's Day Off"). The story follows Seurat as he paints his masterpiece.
5. "Newsies"
"Newsies" is based on the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. The goal of the strike was to change the way Joseph Pulitzer and William Hearst's newspapers paid their workers (all children). The strike, lasting two weeks, was successful in increasing the newsboys' pay.
6. "Assassins"
"Assassins" tells the story of the men and women who have attempted to assassinate presidents of the United States. Narrated by the Balladeer, the musical tells the stories of some of America's most infamous characters, like John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald. The music for each assassin mimics the popular music during each era depicted. This musical provides intriguing commentary on the "American Dream."
7. "Hamilton"
This award-winning musical depicts the extraordinary life of America's first Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton. The musical uses hip-hop, R&B, rap, and pop to connect modern America to revolutionary America. It makes history more understandable and accessible.
8. "Bonnie & Clyde"
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are two of the most infamous folk heroes in American history. The musical follows their crime spree during the Great Depression and ends in their deaths by police gunfire.
9. "Les Misérables"
The only reason most people know about the June Rebellion of 1832 is because of this musical and its inspired novel. The rebellion was an anti-monarchist revolt of Parisian republicans.
10. "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"
This emo-rock musical is based on the life of America's seventh president, Andrew Jackson. The story shows Jackson's populist campaign, and the Indian Removal Act.
11. "Evita"
"Evita" is about the life of Eva Perón, an Argentine political leader, who was married to the Argentine president Juan Perón. The musical follows her early life, rise to power, political career, and death.
12. "Something Rotten!"
This musical comedy follows two fictionalized brothers as they compete in the world of Elizabethan theatre. Nick Bottom (named after the character in "A Midsummer Night's Dream") fights to have the upper hand over his contemporary, William Shakespeare.
13. "The Pirate Queen"
"The Pirate Queen" is based on the life of Grace (Gráinne) O'Malley. She was an Irish chieftain and pirate in the 16th century who lead one of the last resistances against the English conquest of Ireland.
14. "Ragtime"
"Ragtime" shows the experience of three groups in the United States in the early 20th century: Africa Americans, upper-class suburbanites, and Eastern European immigrants. The musical shows the struggles of American life from different perspectives.
15. "Allegiance"
This new musical is about something that is not often discussed: the Japanese American interment camps in World War II. The story was inspired by the personal experiences of George Takei, who stars in the show.
