Top 10 Musicals You've Never Heard Of

A sexy and scandalous affair taking place during the prohibition, Andrew Lippa's musical sizzled off-Broadway in 2000. Inspired by Joseph Moncure March's identically titled 1928 poem, it features Queenie and Burrs, once passionate lovers, trying to reignite their spark by having a bash. However, their colorful array of attendees drives an even bigger wedge between the pair, thanks to wandering eyes and jealous rages. The show was nominated for 13 Drama Desk Awards, winning for Outstanding Music. It also received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. With its enthralling story, captivating characters, and thrilling score, we believe this show would be "The Life of the Party" on Broadway.

A slight deviation from your traditional musical, “Ghost Quartet” is a song cycle chronicling four linked tales centering around two sisters, a deceitful astronomer, and a manipulative bear. The actors play various characters, with the story taking place over several centuries. Dave Malloy, who both wrote and starred in the show, called it “a song cycle about love, death, and whiskey.” Clearly he was on to something, though it sadly never achieved widespread acclaim. Still, it was nominated for Outstanding Musical at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards, and Best Unique Theatrical Experience at the Off-Broadway Alliance Awards. This spirited show is sure to not only pique your interest, but capture your attention!

You might be a fan of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 novel of the same name or one of its movie adaptations. But the amazing musical version might be as much of a well-kept secret as its titular garden. Mary Lennox, an angry British kid in India, goes to stay with family in England during a Cholera breakout. And a long-abandoned garden changes everything. The musical went to Broadway in 1991, delivering over 700 performances. It won three Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Scenic Design, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Despite being a classic tale with a heartwarming story and breathtaking soundtrack, the show sadly never really blossomed.

Another book to stage adaptation, “The Lightning Thief,” centers on the titular teen’s journey to retrieve Zeus’ lightning bolt when he realizes he’s a demigod. Peace among the gods depends on it. In addition to fun, poppin’ tunes and an exciting heroic quest, this underappreciated show reminded audiences that valuable musicals exist beyond the bright lights of Broadway. How many other shows put a 12-year-old part-deity with ADHD and dyslexia at their forefront? Its off-Broadway run was met with plenty of acclaim, but unfortunately, its time on Broadway was critically panned. Still, it’s a charming show with a memorable score. It may even be better than the film, so a revival would be divine.

We theater lovers, enjoy a good send-up of the genre. And that’s exactly what “Ruthless!” is. Parodying shows like “Gypsy and films like “All About Eve”, it had its off-Broadway debut in 1992, starring Laura Bell Bundy. Fun Fact, Natalie Portman and Britney Spears were reportedly her understudies. In the show, we meet eight-year-old rising talent Tina, who’s willing to do anything to be a star — and we mean anything. This darkly comedic and twisted musical might be an acquired taste, but it’s worth savoring. It was even awarded Best Off-Broadway Show at the Outer Critics Circle Awards in 1993. Although it's been staged several times since, it's sadly never found a home among mainstream theater-goers.

If you enjoyed “A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder,” this musical should be right up your alley. We meet Belle Poitrine, a star and socialite who’s writing her autobiography. Belle started life on the wrong side of the tracks but climbed to fame and fortune thanks to her wealth of admirers. Meanwhile, her relationships tend to end under inexplicable, unexpected, and bizarre circumstances. The original show was nominated for several Tony awards, including Best Musical. It won for Best Choreography, courtesy of Bob Fosse. The musical was later heavily revised and resurrected, receiving a Best Revival Tony nomination in 1999. It's a darkly comedic story with unforgettable music, and it's time it got its dues.

If high school Shakespeare still plagues you, consider checking this musical out. English playwriting brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom can’t seem to compete with the Beatles-like success of The Bard in 1595. Nick visits a local soothsayer who introduces him to the concept of the musical and foretells Shakespeare's next big project… "Omelette." The show excited and amused audiences with extravagant show-stopping numbers, hilariously eccentric characters, and ingenious self-awareness. It received an impressive ten Tony nominations, and never failed to bring the house down over the span of its 742 performances. We only wish more people got to enjoy this innovative and side-splittingly hysterical show. There's really nothing quite like a musical — and we hope this one gets its Renaissance.

Debuting in 1947, this charming production has since been revived on Broadway four times. Still, many theater-goers have yet to discover this musical pot of gold. The story follows Irish man Finian, who decides to plant stolen treasure in the U.S., hoping it’ll provide him with more riches. But it’s not that simple, as he’s being tracked by its rightful and desperate leprechaun owner, while a shady politician is making his own plans. In addition to its original plot, the show boasts creative and soulful songs and melodies. Despite its compelling story and numerous earworms, the luck of the Irish has somehow yet to strike this underappreciated show.

A yet-to-be-uncovered musical treasure, “Bare” is arguably one of the most important LGBTQ+ musicals of the 21st century. It follows teens at a Catholic boarding school who are grappling with their identities and societal pressures. At the center are ill-fated couple, Peter and Jason, who must keep their love a secret. They break up when the burden becomes too much to bear, but their affection for one another and the fear of being outed hovers. Sadly, the ending is heartbreaking. It’s not an easy musical to digest by any means, but of course, that’s the point. With relatable characters, mesmerizing numbers, and relevant themes that encourage viewers to dig deep, there’s no doubt this masterful show deserves more recognition.

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

“Bonnie & Clyde”
This Captivating Musical about America’s Iconic
Outlawed Couple Is Criminally Underrated

“High Fidelity”
Using Nick Hornby’s Same-Name Novel as the Source Material, We Explore the Joys of Living in the Moment to a Rockin’ Soundtrack

“The Unsinkable Molly Brown”
Margaret Brown Lived Through the RMS Titanic’s Demise, & This Is a Captivating Dramatized Reimagining of Her Story

“The Beautiful Game”
A Lesser-Known but Incredibly Touching Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical about Soccer during the Northern Ireland Conflict

“[title of show]”
A Hilarious Meta Production About Writing This Show as for the New York Musical Theatre Festival

Based on true events, this story delves into love, light, and hope at a time of religious intolerance, racial tensions, and political prejudice. Leo Frank, a Jewish man living in Georgia, is falsely accused of killing his employee Mary Phagan in 1913. He’s dragged through an essentially predetermined trial, declared guilty, and receives a death sentence. His wife successfully campaigns to save him, only for a mob to take his life into their own hands. It’s powerful, ingenious, and daring, with a score that will melt your heart and a story that’ll make it ache. It offers a vital moral lesson about the dangers of intolerance and discrimination that remains timely. It’s high time more folks knew about this compelling and heartrending masterpiece.

Which musical do you think deserves more time in the spotlight? Sing out in the comments.