When it comes to musicals, there is no bigger stage than Broadway.
And while there have been dozens of incredible productions and soundtracks over the years, we have collected the top 20 Broadway musicals based on, you guessed it, the music!
So here are the 20 Broadway soundtracks that you absolutely should have heard by now.
1. Cats
Written by Andrew Llyod Webber, the music of Cats is absolutely beloved. The show came to Broadway in 1982 and is still running today!
2. The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a hilarious musical with an incredible soundtrack. The writers of South Park, Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone, created the show in 2011.
3. Chicago
Since 1975, Chicago has been one of America’s favorite Broadway productions. The music written by John Kander is both well-written and fun to dance to.
4. Gypsy
Gypsy premiered on Broadway in 1959, and thousands of people have enjoyed five various renditions over the past 60 years.
5. Rent
Jonathan Larson wrote the outstanding musical Rent, which first premiered in 1996. The show has some of the stage’s best characters and music of all time.
6. Hamilton
Hamilton set a Broadway record with 16 Tony award nominations (and won 11), including Best Musical. The extremely popular soundtrack was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
7. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Anyone who loves Broadway music must listen to Sweeney Todd’s soundtrack! And if you haven’t heard it yet, you really should.
8. Oklahoma!
Richard Rodgers, one of the most famous Broadway composers of all time, wrote Oklahoma, which premiered for the first time in 1943. For almost a century, people have loved the incredible soundtrack.
9. West Side Story
A classic story with an outstanding soundtrack, West Side Story has been a Broadway favorite since its premiere in 1957.
10. Hairspray
Based on the film from 1988, Hairspray on Broadway has been a wild success for decades. The music, written by Marc Shaiman, is simply amazing.
11. Wicked
Wicked has been on the Broadway stage since 2003, and its soundtrack is the absolute best to sing along to!
12. Guys & Dolls
Guys and Dolls premiered on Broadway in 1950 and has won a Tony Award for Best Musical! Over the years, there have been 1200 performances, and it was even turned into a movie.
13. Annie
One of the most beloved musicals of all time, Annie has been a part of Broadway since 1977 and has some of the most popular songs of all time.
14. Jersey Boys
Juke-box musical Jersey Boys is another fantastic show that Broadway audiences absolutely love! Bob Gaudio wrote the now very famous soundtrack.
15. Hello, Dolly!
Since 1964, Hello, Dolly! has been a favorite Broadway show and soundtrack. For a time, it was the longest-running show on Broadway, and the fun music is still listened to by many.
16. Les Miserables
An emotional and incredible show, Les Miserables hit the stage in 1987 and has since become one of the industry’s most popular shows.
17. Phantom of the Opera
Of all the amazing shows on Broadway, Phantom of the Opera has had the most showings of all time. With over 12,800 performances, tens of thousands of people have heard and enjoyed this incredible soundtrack.
18. Sound of Music
Just a few years before the movie was made, the Sound of Music premiered on Broadway in 1959. The music is now some of the most well-known on the planet and is considered a masterpiece.
19. Mama Mia!
If you like a fun soundtrack, then you will definitely love Mama Mia! As the music is from the Swedish group ABBA and composed by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, it is unmissable.
20. The Music Man
Written by Meredith Willson, The Music Man first hit the stage in 1957. However, it is being revived this year with star Hugh Jackman, and it’s supposed to be fantastic!
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