Fun Jukebox Musical Resources for Theatre Buffs

A jukebox musical is a musical theatre work centring on a collection of songs, usually by a single artist or group. Typically these songs are part of a back catalogue and the plot is often created around the story within the songs. While this technique has attracted criticism by some, the shows created are often international blockbusters such as Mamma Mia! (ABBA), Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons) and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical to name just a few. – Justin Cash


Jukebox Musical Resources

Excellent article from The New Yorker defending the form and examining how the genre began clumsily, but is today evolving into a more mature form.

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Article exploring the explosion of this genre on London’s West End in recent years.

Slideshow of Playbills and images from 22 different Broadway jukebox musicals.

Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and MAMMA MIA! London at the 2014 Olivier Awards

The jukebox musical can be an embarrassing phenomenon: a living, breathing pop-music wax museum … Good jukebox musicals come in two basic forms. The first is the straight-up celebration of a body of music, without significant plot … The other worthy type of jukebox musical, and the much trickier kind to do well, is the biographical musical. 

The New Yorker, 22 July, 2014

Jersey Boys Jukebox Musical

Article “Can Critics learn to love the Jukebox Musical?” by New York Times theatre critics Ben Brantley and Jesse Green.

Jersey Boys perform a medley of songs - Let It Shine - BBC One

Brief explanation of the genre followed by a comprehensive list of shows in the genre.

Fun look at a range of jukebox musical posters.

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