Top 10 Best Musicals About High School

The 2011 documentary “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16” is the inspiration behind this musical that took London’s West End by storm when it premiered in 2017. Chronicling the story of Jamie New, a high schooler who dreams of becoming a drag queen, the show quickly became a fan favourite, spawning a recorded live broadcast and 2021 feature film adaptation. The show explores things like prejudice, acceptance and coming of age through a score that is fun, thoughtful and hopeful. All it takes is one listen to the original cast recording to understand why this show is such a smashing success.

Inspired by the 2010 Itawamba County School District controversy, “The Prom” is an anthem for anyone who has ever had to fight for what they believe in. The story follows teen Emma, who is denied her right to bring her girlfriend, Alyssa, to their high school prom. News spreads from her smalltown in Indiana to New York City, where a group of misfit Broadway performers catch wind of the injustice and travel across the country to support Emma’s cause. After receiving some Tony Award nominations, Ryan Murphy adapted the musical for Netflix, with a cast including Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Cordon, Andrew Rannells and newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman. It’s an important tale of love, equality and being true to who you are.

Short and bittersweet, this mini musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda is only about 15 minutes long, but still packs an emotional punch. Based on an episode of the NPR podcast, “This American Life”, this true story follows the tale of Florida teen, Justin Laboy, who falls in love when a new girl, Naomi, joins his class. Laboy, hoping to impress her, attempts to sell drugs on school property, and it’s revealed that Naomi is actually an undercover cop. The musical features a pre- “Hamilton” Anthony Ramos and Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez as the leads, and premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2014. Featuring Miranda’s signature hip hop infused lyrics and rhythms, “Chump Street” is a heartbreaking story that highlights how justice isn’t always just.

One of cinema’s most recognizable horror figures, this prom queen got her Broadway treatment in 1988. Based on the Stephen King novel and Brian De Palma film, the story follows Carrie White, a social outcast and victim of her abusive and overbearingly religious mother. When she discovers that she possesses telekinetic powers, things take a sinister turn. The Broadway adaptation cost $8 million, closing after 16 previews and 5 performances, making it one of the biggest flops in the history of the Great White Way. In 2012, the show was resurrected off-Broadway and received a slew of Drama Desk Award nominations. She’s not the best prom date, but “Carrie” remains a timeless story about the ramifications of bullying and the importance of kindness.

Scrunchies, croquet and murder: These are three key ingredients to the 1989 black-comedy “Heathers”. A quarter century later came one of the funniest and smartest screen-to-stage adaptations to date. When protagonist, Veronica, originally played by Winona Ryder in the film, gets caught up in the takedown of a popular clique known as The Heathers, a series of murders begin to plague Westerburg High, and it’s up to her to stop them. The musical premiered in 2014 off-Broadway and received a West End run in 2018. Full of catchy lyrics and a sitting- on-the-edge-of-your-seat plot, “Heathers” unpacks the danger of high school hierarchies. Despite its dark subject matter, the show is certified “Big Fun.”

In high school, being popular can seem like the ultimate goal. For “Be More Chill’s” lead character Jeremy Heere, it’s life or death. After ingesting a Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor a.k.a a “SQUIP”, Jeremy’s social status at school skyrockets, but not without consequences. Based on a novel by author Ned Vizzini, this Joe Iconis-crafted musical premiered in New Jersey in 2015 and off-Broadway in 2018. Amassing a cult following online, the musical's huge fan base championed the show all the way to Broadway, where it opened in early 2019. Plans for a film adaptation are in the works, and fans of this fun show are prepared for the story to hit the big screen.

Helping catapult Ben Platt into the spotlight, “Dear Evan Hansen” shook up Broadway in 2016. The Benj Pasek and Justin Paul musical tells the story of a socially shy teen who gets embroiled in a lie, and starts to bond with a grieving family after the death of a classmate. The plot is one made perfectly for the digital age as social media and the internet play vital roles in the play. In 2021, Platt reprised his role as the titular teen in the highly anticipated film adaptation starring Julianne Moore and Amy Adams. Although controversy has swirled around Evan as a protagonist, the musical offers a portrait of how grief is processed in a society obsessed with engagement.

A gorgeous alt-rock inspired score paired with a moving story, “Spring Awakening” is one of the most haunting works to have ever played on Broadway. Based on a 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, this Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater collaboration follows the story of teens living in 1800s Germany as they discover their sexualities. The musical took home the Tony Award for “Best Musical” in 2007, and has since been revived on Broadway by Deaf West Theatre’s production, which featured the characters using sign language. It’s a vital story about the power of knowledge, the dangers of repression and the importance of listening to youth.

Based on John Waters's ‘80s flick, “Hairspray” was eventually adapted for the stage in 2002. Taking place in Baltimore during the ‘60s, the show follows the heroine, Tracy Turnblad, whose dream comes true when she gets the opportunity to perform on her favourite show, “The Corny Collins Show” and becomes a local celebrity. As it turns out, fame isn’t quite what Tracy expects and she launches a crusade to appeal the program’s segregation rule. Behind the vibrant and splashy aesthetic, the show is an exploration of racism, body image and protest. In 2007, John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Michelle Pfeiffer carried the show’s legacy all the way to the silver screen.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Grease” (1971)
High School Hijinks in the ‘50s

“Bring It On: The Musical” (2011)
Based on Early 2000s Film About Cheerleading

“Bye Bye Birdie” (1960)
Pop Idol’s Big Send-Off Before Joining the Army

“Bare: The Musical”
A Group of Teens Struggling With Sexuality and Faith

“We Are The Tigers” (2015)
A Group of Cheerleaders Deals With a Killer

Her name is Regina George and yes, she is a “massive deal”. From screen to stage, Tina Fey’s teen comedy masterpiece, “Mean Girls” strutted onto the Great White Way in 2017. When Cady Heron moves from Africa to America, she encounters North Shore High’s most popular and ruthless trio, The Plastics, eventually becoming a mean girl herself. The musical features fan favourites Damian, Janis, Gretchen, Karen and yes, even Glen Coco, and is full of callbacks and references to the film’s most famous quotes. With a book written by Fey and a score composed by her husband, Jeff Richmond, the Broadway adaptation is a tribute to the fans, making it 100% “fetch”.