Top 10 Broadway Musicals Based on Books

L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” enchanted people of all ages, with both a fantastical setting and allusions to American politics. “The Wiz” made the brilliant decision of leaning into the latter, by infusing the story with elements of Black culture while staying true to the major plot points. In 1975, Broadway musicals were not as diverse as they could have been, and “The Wiz” helped open the doors for others with Black-led casts. The humor and music took on new life in the modified version, introducing new audiences to Broadway and established audiences to a new way of looking at things.

Charles Dickens is no stranger to having his work adapted to the stage and screen. Even his unfinished “Mystery of Edwin Drood” got its time in the spotlight. The most famous example is “Oliver!,” a reworking of “Oliver Twist.” The original tells the story of a boy who escapes from a workhouse and falls into petty crime. The adaptation is more lighthearted. The edited plot and bright tune stack helped it become the perfect show for families to enjoy. The choice to revamp Fagin from a classic villain to a comedic role was a stroke of genius, as it cut through the harmful stereotypes found in the novel. The result was a beloved musical that’s remained a staple in theater since its London premiere in 1960.

Satire can be tricky, especially on the musical stage, but “How to Succeed” was a triumph. The source material parodied self-help books that claimed to help readers become successful with minimal work. The musical takes a slightly different spin on the concept, by crafting a narrative about a man trying to rise from window-washer to chairman of the board. The sarcasm was still present and biting, and that combined made for the perfect adult comedy. Frank Loesser’s score was nothing short of magnificent, adding just the right amount of heart to the story without diluting the humor. It’s been a hit since it debuted, with over 2,000 performances over its three Broadway productions, and it cuts as sharply now as it did in 1961.

There’s hope and whimsy in Roald Dahl’s original tale, but also a noticeable darkness. The theatrical version did a marvelous job of emphasizing the positive aspects of the story while keeping just the right amount of darkness, especially in the character of Miss Trunchbull. This re-telling about a girl who uses telekinesis to turn her life around also highlighted some of the character’s more ridiculous actions, making it appear as though it was happening through the eyes of a child. The musical had just as much heart as the novel, which appealed to fans of Dahl and those who simply wanted to reconnect with their own childhoods. It gave the final product an authentic feel, appealing to viewers and critics alike

A story this powerful was made to be told across several different forms of media. Alice Walker’s work had been the source of both praise and controversy due to its dark yet impactful subject matter. It follows the life of a young woman as she grows up facing personal trials and tribulations while navigating 20th century America. The 2005 showing got off to a slightly rocky start, with criticisms being made about important moments being cut out. However, they gave it another shot a decade later – and this time, they hit it out of the park. The slimmed down plot and star-studded cast gave it the boost it needed, helping it become one of the defining musicals of the 2010s.

If a 1,200-page Russian novel can be adapted into a modern Broadway presentation, then anything can. Leo Tolstoy probably isn’t the first name to come to mind when thinking of theater. Yet the dense “War and Peace”-- consisting of a fictional narrative, history, and philosophy – was completely transformed for the stage. It focused primarily on just seventy pages of the overall work, centered around a couple’s torrid affair and one man’s existential dread. The contemporary soundtrack breathed even more life into the interpretation. It was a daring way of presenting the daunting text, but their riskiness ultimately paid off. It became an instant stand-out amongst fans of theater. They even scored a dozen Tony nominations, eventually taking home two.

Who knew hip-hip and theatricality would mesh so well? The idea for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic show “Hamilton” came to him while on vacation. He had picked up a biography about the founding father, and within a few chapters, he knew he had his next hit on his hands. Much like the source material, he took the viewers throughout the major moments of Hamilton’s life – both good and bad. He took it a step further by modernizing the sound and incorporating newer genres. The centuries-old history and contemporary presentation served as a perfect symbol of American culture. Both the memoir and the musical were highly praised as a result, with the former returning to the bestseller list, and the latter sweeping the 70th Tony Awards.

“The Wiz” isn’t the only noteworthy musical interpretation of Baum’s series. Stephen Schwartz offered his retelling of the work, this time through the eyes of the Wicked Witch of the West herself. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, it offered a more sympathetic view of the witch, revealing the twisted events that led to her being perceived as wicked. It offered a fresh perspective on what was once a one-dimensional character. The grandiose power ballads and the genuine friendship Elphaba and Glinda formed made the final result feel special. It was a huge commercial success, selling out for years and cementing Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as legends.

Victor Hugo’s classic is filled with compelling characters and complex themes that keep all five volumes gripping from beginning to end. The theatrical version got off to a rough start, with some scholars even condemning the creators for daring to adapt such an important literary work into a dramatic opera. However, the public vehemently disagreed. The rousing performances and themes of redemption and love stuck with them. The softer, emotional songs in juxtaposition to the heart-swelling ensemble-led numbers kept them engaged. Their support helped transform “Les Misérables” from an underappreciated gem to a beloved show with multiple revivals and over 6,000 performances in its first run alone.

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

“Jekyll & Hyde”
Stevenson’s Gothic Piece Became a Popular Favorite

“Mame”
The Eccentric Novel’s Stage Adaptation Made a Star of Angela Lansbury

“The Phantom of the Opera”
The Dark Romance Came Across Perfectly in Front of an Audience

“Fiddler on the Roof”
Drawn from Short Stories, It Was the First Broadway Musical to Run 3,000 Performances

If you’re searching for sheer historical importance, then you won’t have to look much further than this. Christopher Isherwood’s “Goodbye to Berlin” was based on his own experiences in the city, and how he noticed its citizens doing anything to enjoy their remaining pleasures as Hitler rose to power. The eventual adaptation “Cabaret” leaned into this idea by having the primary setting – a sketchy nightclub – represent the fading Weimar Republic. Audiences were at the edge of their seats as they watched the Kit Kat Club – and Germany itself – crumble before them. The music exemplified the hedonistic escapism, with performances that were eerie yet spellbinding. It’s become one of the defining musicals of the 20th centuries, with several revivals beneath its belt since its 1966 debut.

Have any of your favorite novels been adapted into musicals? Let us know in the comments below.