What do Mamma Mia!, Holiday Inn and Girl from the North Country all have in common? Apart from catchy, danceable melodies, they’re all based on the music of a specific artist – they’re “jukebox musicals.” Pre-existing songs are used to create a story fit for a musical and often showcase the songs in new ways. These shows can spotlight the artist themselves as seen in Jersey Boys which follows Frankie Valli, or tell a completely new story like in Girl from the North Country.
How many of these musicals have you seen, and how great was the music?
Mamma Mia! – uses the music of ABBA
Holiday Inn – uses the music of Irving Berlin
Jersey Boys – uses the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Girl from the North Country – uses the music of Bob Dylan
All Shook Up – uses the music of Elvis Presley
Head Over Heels – uses the music of The Go-Go’s
The Boy from Oz – uses the music of Peter Allen
Holler If Ya Hear Me – uses the music of Tupac
Rock of Ages – uses the music of the 1980s bands Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Starship, Extreme, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Quiet Riot, Journey and more
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations – uses the music of The Temptations
American Idiot – uses the music of Green Day
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical – uses the music of Tina Turner
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – uses the music of Carole King
On Your Feet! – uses the music of Gloria and Emilio Estefan
The Cher Show – uses the music of Cher
Escape to Margaritaville – uses the music of Jimmy Buffett
Motown: The Musical – uses the music of Motown
Summer: The Donner Summer Musical – uses the music of Donna Summer