Pop/Rock Musicals

The iconic nature of rock music combines with the power of theatre to create musical magic in this array of dynamic shows. Check out this list of Concord musicals (and a few plays) that feature pop/rock music, ranging from early ’50s rock ’n’ roll to contemporary electropop. Some are rock operas, some are pop concerts, and some merely have a rock ’n’ roll flavor, but one thing’s for sure… they all rock!

Musicals That Rock

35mm: A Musical Exhibition by Ryan Scott Oliver and Matthew Murphy (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical / 2w, 3m plus ensemble)
This intricately woven collection of stories told through song re-imagines what the modern American musical can be. In 35mm, a variety of photos each create a unique song, moments frozen in time, a glimmer of a life unfolding, a glimpse of something happening. 

A Night with Janis Joplin by Randy Johnson (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 5w)
The voice, the music, the legend. From her humble beginnings in Port Arthur, Texas to worldwide stardom, Janis Joplin reminisces about how music became the love of her life. Told through a series of songs by the Chantels and Joplinaires, duets with masters of the blues, and featuring Janis’s biggest hits “Piece of My Heart,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and more, this powerhouse musical will have you rocking out and leaving the theatre with your heart full. 

A Slice of Saturday Night by The Heather Brothers (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 5w, 4m) 
The Heather Brothers’ homage to swinging sixties music was a smash hit at the King’s Head Theatre, and it enjoyed a long run after transferring to London’s Arts Theatre. With over 30 original songs, this musical celebrates the universally embarrassing experience of teenage years while teetering on the edge between parody of early rock and the real thing.

Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical by Diablo Cody, Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard (US/UK)
(Full Length Musical, Drama / 7w, 5m)
This exhilarating new musical is inspired by the themes and raw emotions laid bare in Alanis Morissette’s seminal album of the same name. In the musical, we meet the Healys, who appear to be a picture-perfect family – but looks can be deceiving. When cracks beneath the surface begin to show, they must choose between maintaining the status quo or facing harsh truths about themselves, their community and the world around them. 

American Psycho by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Duncan Sheik (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dark Comedy / 8w, 8m) 
American Psycho tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a young and handsome Wall Street banker with impeccable taste and unquenchable desires set to a 1980s rock score. Patrick and his elite group of friends spend their days in chic restaurants and exclusive clubs and wearing designer labels. At night, however, Patrick takes part in a darker indulgence. 

Avenue X by John Jiler and Ray Leslee (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 2w, 6m)
Avenue X, written by John Jiler and Ray Leslee, is a groundbreaking a cappella musical centered on race. It features of cast of eight actors and no orchestra, meaning the music is all human-made. Author Scott Miller, in his book Strike Up the Band, singled out Avenue X as one of the most important works of the late 1990s for musical theatre history, writing, “Avenue X isn’t just a good musical. It’s smart, subtle, powerful, unconventional theatre.” Recent events across the United States make the story about racial tensions more relevant than ever. 

Bye Bye Birdie by Michael Stewart, Charles Strouse and Lee Adams (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 6w, 5m plus ensemble)
A loving send-up of the 1950s, small-town America, teenage life, and rock ’n’ roll, this musical centers on teenage musical heartthrob Conrad Birdie. When Birdie is about to say goodbye because he gets drafted for the war, the heart of rock ’n’ roll and public farewell kisses make all the girls weak in the knees.

Carrie by Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford, Lawrence D. Cohen and Stephen King (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 8w, 6m plus ensemble) 
Featuring angsty teenage pop/rock outbursts in songs like “In” and “The World According to Chris” as well as heartfelt pop ballads like “You Shine,” there’s a song – and a scare – in Carrie for every kind of music lover. Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them knows is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it. 

Chess by Richard Nelson, Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 2w, 9m, 1 any gender youth)
In this groundbreaking rock musical starting at the international chess match in Bangkok, the ancient game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics and international intrigue. From Bangkok to Budapest, the players, lovers, politicians and spies manipulate and are manipulated to the pulse of a monumental score that includes “One Night in Bangkok” and “Heaven Help My Heart.”

Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 5w, 5m + ensemble)
As rulers of their elite Manhattan prep school, Sebastian and Kathryn have placed a mischievous bet: Can Sebastian successfully deflower the innocent Annette Hargrove, the headmaster’s daughter? Two devilish step-siblings become entangled in their own web of deception and unexpected romance in this raucous jukebox throwback including hits from the 1990s, from “Bye Bye Bye” to “Genie In A Bottle” to “Kiss Me” to “Torn.”

Emma! A Pop Musical by Eric Price (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 9w, 5m + ensemble)
Emma, a senior at Highbury Prep, is certain she knows what’s best for her classmates’ love lives. But will Emma’s relentless matchmaking get in the way of finding her own happiness? Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling new musical features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry. Girl power has never sounded so good! Also available in a shortened JV Version (US).

Ernxst, or The Importance of Being by Justin Elizabeth Sayre, Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 22 any gender)
This innovative, electro-pop musical romp through Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest maintains the original’s manners and misgivings in the search for love, but adds to Wilde’s vision by breaking down boundaries around gender and identity, reminding us all of the importance of being exactly who we are. With tracks and music available for various keys and all roles open to any actor, it embodies the true meaning of flexible, inclusive casting. 

Footloose by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford, Walter Bobbie, Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, Jim Steinman (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 7w, 8m + ensemble)
When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. The heartfelt story that emerges pits a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top Forty score, augmented with dynamic new songs, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind. Also available in a 90-Minute Version (US/UK) and a Youth Edition (US/UK).

Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 8w, 9m plus ensemble) 
With a hip-shaking rock ’n’ roll score featuring hits like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together,” Grease celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory. Grease has become among the world’s most popular musicals for recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley, which became the soundtrack of a generation. Also available in a School Version (US).

HAIR by Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 4w, 5m plus ensemble)
The American tribal love rock musical HAIR celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace, this show remains relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world. 

Hedwig and the Angry Inch by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Dark Comedy / 2 any gender)
This groundbreaking, Obie-winning, off-Broadway smash took Broadway by storm in its Tony Award-winning 2014 revival and won multiple awards for its hit film adaptation. “Internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ’n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, performs a rock gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band “The Angry Inch.” It’s a rocking ride – funny, touching and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile. 

High Fidelity by Amanda Green, Tom Kitt and David Lindsay-Abaire (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 9w, 5m + ensemble)
Based on the bestselling novel by Nick Hornby, High Fidelity follows Brooklyn record store owner Rob, who, after finding himself unexpectedly dumped, takes a music-filled turn toward the introspective. Struggling to discover how his relationship failed, Rob strives to change his life to win back his sweetheart, Laura. With memorable characters and a pulsating rock ’n’ roll score, this homage to music geek culture explores love, heartbreak and the power of the perfect soundtrack. Also available in a High School Version (US).

Hundred Days by Abigail & Shaun Bengson and Sarah Gancher (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 1m, 4 any gender)
An uncensored, exhilarating and heartrending true story about embracing uncertainty, taking a leap, and loving as if you only had 100 days to live. With magnetic chemistry and anthemic folk-punk music, creators Abigail and Shaun Bengson explore a fundamental question: How do we make the most of the time that we have?

Island Song (Large Cast Edition) by Sam Carner, Derek Gregor and Marlo Hunter (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 9w, 6m)
The energy and passions of New York City explode with a percussive, soaring pop score in this show about 20- and 30-somethings navigating city life. As the city spins around them, they get lost, fight back, fall in love, face setbacks, and, most importantly, come alive with the strength that comes with conquering the Big Apple. Also available for 5 actors in Island Song (Small Cast Edition) (US/UK) or 10 actors in Island Song (Medium Cast Edition) (US/UK). 

Jesus Christ Superstar by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 1w, 8m plus ensemble)
This timeless rock opera is set against the backdrop of a universally known series of events, re-seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot and re-heard through the sound of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rocking score. The groundbreaking score includes rock classics like “Heaven on Their Minds,” “Gethsemane” and “Superstar.”

Jimmy Buffet’s Escape to Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett, Greg Garcia and Mike O’Malley (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 3w, 3m + ensemble)
This laid-back, island-time, laugh-a-minute musical comedy features the most-loved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Margaritaville,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Fins,” “Volcano” and many more. Also available in a specially adapted High School Edition (US).

Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court by Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 2w, 3m)
The undeniable energy level really lifts proceedings to send you home with a solid smile on your face, spanning a range of styles from soul and vaudeville to cabaret and waltz. Judge Jackie Justice rules over her reality-television courtroom with an iron fist, presiding over a three-ring circus of America’s most chaotic civil cases. But when a drop in ratings brings her face-to-face with the liability of her own love life, the judge must learn to navigate the ludicrous laws of love in this over-the-top courtroom comedy. 

Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical by Ellie Greenwich, Anne Beatts, Jack Helfner and Melanie Mintz (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 8w, 4m plus ensemble)
This hit Broadway musical retrospective celebrates the life and times of Ellie Greenwich, whose doo-wop sounds skyrocketed to the top of the ’60s charts. The story of Ellie’s rise to fame and fortune is punctuated with the virtual hit parade of her music: “Chapel of Love,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Be My Baby,” “Hanky Panky,” “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” “And Then He Kissed Me,” and, of course, the title song, “Leader of the Pack.”

Lizzie by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Tim Maner and Alan Stevens Hewitt (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 4w)
Rage! Sex! Betrayal! BLOODY MURDER! A rock-show retelling of the bloody legend of America’s first and favorite axe-wielding double-murderess and hometown girl, Lizzie Borden. This thrilling musical is set to a searing rock score reminiscent of Bikini Kill, the Runaways and Heart. 

Monstersongs by Rob Rokicki (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 7 any gender)
Monstersongs puts audiences in a synthesized world of graphic novels, rock musicals, live performances and new technology. Following the journey of a child who opens a portal into the psyches of often misunderstood creatures, Monstersongs flips the switch on the monster narrative, inviting audiences to explore the humanity that binds us all. Different artwork and song styles support each monster – from Medusa belting out hard rock, to a bluegrass-flavored Troll under the bridge. Scary, silly and heartfelt, Monstersongs is unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Mystic Pizza by Sandy Rustin, Amy Holden Jones & Carmel Dean (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 8w, 8m)
Based on the beloved 1988 MGM rom com, this high-spirited new musical is about three working-class girls who navigate the complexities of life, love and family in a small-town pizza joint. The infectious score features megahits of the 80s and 90s, from “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 5w, 5m, 6 any gender)
This award-winning electropop opera is based on a scandalous slice of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Young and impulsive, Natasha Rostova arrives in Moscow to await the return of her fiancé from the front lines. When she falls under the spell of the roguish Anatole, it is up to Pierre, a family friend in the middle of an existential crisis, to pick up the pieces of her shattered reputation. 

New York Rock by Yoko Ono (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 2w, 8m)
Written by musician Yoko Ono, this allegorical rock musical weaves a tale of senseless violence, heart-wrenching despair and resurgence of the human spirit. In New York City, love blooms between a woman who has had to flee from an abusive husband and a budding rock musician whose mother was slain by street hoodlums. The lovers’ developing relationship engenders an atmosphere of renewed optimism until urban violence erupts again, changing lives forever. 

Punk Rock Girl by Joe Iconis (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 6w, 4m)
Punk Rock Girl! is a new musical featuring a score of popular songs written and made famous by female artists and female-fronted bands, including Blondie, Pat Benatar, Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, and more. This musical about a young person finding a community and creating her tribe is a noisy celebration of all things raw and ragged, trashy and heartfelt, familiar and alien. 

Reefer Madness by Kevin Murphy and Dan Studney (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Satire/Political Satire / 4w, 4m)
When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. The addictive, clever musical numbers range from big Broadway-style showstoppers to swing tunes like “Down at the Ol’ Five and Dime” and the Vegas-style “Listen to Jesus, Jimmy,” featuring a chorus of showgirl angels. Reefer Madness is a highly stylized and satirical political commentary that will leave you wanting more.

Return to the Forbidden Planet by Bob Carlton (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 4w, 7m)
Blast off on a routine flight and crash into the planet D’Illyria, where a sci-fi version of The Tempest – set to rock ’n’ roll golden oldies – unfolds with glee! Inspired by Shakespeare, this high-energy jukebox musical is packed with classics like “Great Balls of Fire,” “Good Vibrations,” “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” “Young Girl” and “Gloria.”

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dark Comedy / 3w, 6m)
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.” Complete with sass from the audience, cascading toilet paper, and an array of other audience participation props, this deliberately kitschy rock ’n’ roll sci-fi gothic musical is more fun than ever.

Ride the Cyclone by Jacob Richmond & Brooke Maxwell (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dark Comedy / 7 any gender)
In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other: the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived. Also available in a Teen Edition (US/UK).

Rock of Ages by Chris D’Arienzo and Ethan Popp (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 10w, 7m)
It’s the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Amidst the madness, Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing. Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical features the hits of bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more. Additionally available in Teen Edition or Youth Edition.

Runaways by Elizabeth Swados (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 9w, 11m)
Created from interviews with homeless children and those in orphanages, Runaways is a collection of songs, dances and spoken word pieces about personal struggle and the world at large as seen through the eyes of youth in New York City in the 1970s. The show blends different musical styles, from pop to hip-hop and jazz to reggae, while asking why children can’t remain children.

School of Rock by Julian Fellowes, Glenn Slater and Andrew Lloyd Webber (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 6w, 9m, 7 girls plus ensemble)
Dewey Finn is a failed wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There, he turns a class of straight-A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. Also available in a Young Actors Edition.

Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream by Roger Bean (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 1w, 4m)
Meet Denny and the Dreamers, a fledgling doo-wop singing group preparing to enter the Big Whopper Radio contest to realize their dreams of making it to the big time! Trouble comes in the form of Lois, who arrives to put some polish on the boys. Denny falls in love, Wally falls in line, Eugene falls apart, then along comes handsome heartthrob Duke to send the whole situation spinning. The ’60s hits say it all: “Fools Fall in Love,” “Tears on my Pillow,” “Runaround Sue” and many more. For another by the same author, try Route 66 (US), and for even more across the decades, check out the full Roger Bean Collection (US/UK).

Shake, Ripple & Roll by Jenifer Toksvig and David Perkins (US/UK)
(Short Musical, Comedy / 5w, 5m plus ensemble)
Unless Joey Nobody and private detective Dirk Manley find Angelo’s will in time, bogus heir Deanna la Domme, the glamorous film star, will sell Angelo’s New York ice cream parlor to Crazy Flavors. So get out the bobby socks and join Chuck and the gang as they rock in this sizzling, hour-long musical for schools and youth groups. This exuberant, fun-packed musical written for a large cast of young people features a glitzy rock ’n’ roll score and plenty of action.

SIX: TEEN EDITION by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 6w)
The six wives of King Henry VIII take the mic to reclaim their identities out of the shadow of their infamous spouse, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st-century girl power. Storming stages around the world, SIX’s electrifying soundtrack has garnered more than 200 million streams, second only to Hamilton as the highest-streamed cast recording in the world.

Teddy by Tristan Bernays and Dougal Irvine (UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Drama / 1w, 1m)
In post-war London, Teddy and Josie are about to hit the streets for a good time. They find trouble in the pouring rain but that doesn’t stop them. This is the ultimate story of teenage rebellion and the birth of a new musical era. Desperate times call for rock ’n’ roll. An award-winning, punchy and lyrical ride through post-war London with an electrifying soundtrack of original songs performed by Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts, Teddy is the ultimate story of teenage rebellion and the birth of a new musical era.

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical by Colman Domingo, Robert Cary, Des McAnuff, Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Paul Jabara (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy/ 6w, 3m + ensemble)
All hail the Queen of Disco – Summer sheds light on the life of one of the great voices in music history. From gospel choir to disco diva, Donna Summer was an icon, but this thrilling musical also shows how she risked it all to break through barriers and become an inspiration for generations to come. Told through a selection of her finest, flyest hits, Summer is a story that brings everyone to the dancefloor. 

Teeth by Anna K. Jacobs and Michael R. Jackson (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dark Comedy / 7w, 4m)
Based on the cult classic film of the same name, this fierce, rapturous and savagely entertaining new musical is crackling with irrepressible desire and ancient rage – a dark comedy conjuring the legend of one girl whose sexual curse is also her salvation. These catchy pop-rock tunes are “a gory blast” (Vulture) and bring sharp, smutty rhymes with “a winking subversiveness and plenty of laughs” (The New York Times).

The Cher Show by Rick Elice (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 4w, 4m + ensemble)
This powerhouse musical is based on the life of Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere Bono Allman, or – as her friends call her – Cher! The teenage phenom who crashes by twenty. The glam TV star who quits at the top. The would-be actress with an Oscar. The rock goddess with a hundred million records sold. The legend who’s done it all, still afraid to walk on stage. They’re all here, dressed to kill, belting out all the hits, telling it like it is. And they’re all the star of The Cher Show. 

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical by Joe Tracz and Rob Rokicki (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 7 any gender plus ensemble)
As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly discovered powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t want, and a mythology textbook’s worth of monsters on his trail. When Zeus’s master lightning bolt is stolen and he becomes a suspect, he will have to catch the thief to succeed on his quest. Adapted from the best-selling book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan and featuring a thrilling original rock score, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed mythical adventure “worthy of the gods” (Time Out New York).

The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean (US)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 4w)
This smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where four teenage friends have hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! Featuring over 30 classic ’50s and ’60s hits, The Marvelous Wonderettes will keep you smiling in this must-take musical trip down memory lane. For more adventures with the Wonderettes, visit The Wonderettes Collection (US). 

Things to Ruin by Joe Iconis (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 4w, 5m)
A theatrical rock concert about human beings who are messy, emotional, drugged up, knocked down, inspired, electric and who don’t really have enough time to cause the kind of commotion they so desperately need to. The music kicks 1960s-style pop tunefulness with hard post-punk beats to explore feelings, gut emotions, and collective power.

Two Gentlemen of Verona by John Guare, Mel Shapiro and Galt MacDermot (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 3w, 4m)
Based on William Shakespeare’s comedy of the same name, Two Gentlemen of Verona tells the story of lifelong friends Proteus and Valentine who leave their rural hometown to experience life in urban Milan. The friends both fall for the fair Sylvia, and comic antics inevitably ensue. A Shakespearean story with a ’70s flavor, this ebullient rock musical adaptation features a score from Galt MacDermot, composer of HAIR.

We Are The Tigers by Preston Max Allen (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Dark Comedy / 10 any gender)
The Tigers’ high school cheerleading squad is meeting for their annual sleepover at captain Riley’s house – and they’ve brought their teenage troubles with them. However, love triangles, a lustful boyfriend and hurt feelings won’t compare to the untimely death of one of their own in the front yard. Will that be the only murder? Who did it? With a pop-driven, belty score and a seriously silly book, this musical will have audiences cheering for the Tigers as the Tigers learn to cheer for themselves. 

Your Own Thing by Hal Hester and Danny Apolinar (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 2w, 5m)
Your Own Thing is a groovy rock musical loosely based on William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Set in the late 1960s in the land of Illyria (which looks very much like New York City), it is a tale of separated twins, mistaken identities, love triangles and “doing your own thing.”

Zombie Prom by John Dempsey, Dana P. Rowe, Marc Tumminelli and Hugh M. Murphy (US/UK)
(Full-Length Musical, Comedy / 5w, 5m plus ensemble)
Set in the 1950s at Enrico Fermi High, pretty senior Toffee has fallen for the class bad boy. Family pressure forces her to end the relationship and he storms off on his motorcycle to the nuclear waste dump. He comes back glowing and is determined to take Toffee to the prom and reclaim her heart. History comes to his rescue in the style of girl-loves-ghoul rock ’n’ roll featuring original songs in the style of the ’50s that keeps the action rocking across the stage.

Plays That Rock

Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee and Dengue Fever (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play with Music, Dramatic Comedy / 1w, 3m, 2 any gender)
Cambodian Rock Band is filled with horror, humor, pathos… and songs by the best unknown rock band in Cambodia! In 1978, Chum fled Cambodia and narrowly escaped the murderous Khmer Rouge regime. Thirty years later, he returns in search of his wayward daughter, Neary. As the play jumps back and forth in time, mystery meets rock concert until both father and daughter are forced to face the music of the past.

Marie and Rosetta by George Brant (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play with Music, Dramatic Comedy / 2w)
Marie and Rosetta chronicles music pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s first rehearsal with a young protégée, Marie Knight, as they prepare to embark on a tour that would establish them as one of the great duos in musical history. Bringing fierce guitar playing and swing to gospel music, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a legend in her time and a huge influence on Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix and Ray Charles.

Stereophonic by David Adjmi and Will Butler (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play with Music, Drama / 2w, 5m)
Set in a music studio in the mid-1970s, we find an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album. The band finds itself on the cusp of superstardom while the ensuing pressures could spark their breakup or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Stereophonic invites the audience to immerse themselves – with fly-on-the-wall intimacy – in the powder-keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.

Sundown, Yellow Moon by Rachel Bonds and The Bengsons (US/UK)
(Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 4m)
In this critically acclaimed play with music, twin sisters Ray and Joey return to their southern hometown to help their recently divorced father. In facing their personal and familial conflicts, the three family members seek redemption and attempt to move on.

For more great plays and musicals, visit Concord Theatricals in the US and UK.