Top 10 Musicals That Tackled Serious Issues 

You missed Newsies. It not only highlights the real historical events of the news boy strike of 1899 and the beginning of child labor laws in America but the themes of workers rights, young people having the power to change the world for the better, together we are stronger, and that there are people in this world that will stand up to and for others, are all vital messages that still ring true today. Then of course there’s the smaller messages of chosen family, friendship, hard work and perseverance, as well as a splash of feminism in the Broadway version.

My "how did they not include this???" list... 1. The Color Purple: trauma, racism, poverty, incest, sexuality, domestic violence, colonialism, and tells a powerful and moving story about recovery from trauma and discovering your own dignity and worth. The book of the musical doesn't handle the story as deftly as the novel, but songs like the title number, "Hell No," and "I'm Here" more than make up for it. 2. Caroline, or Change: Such an underrated show! Like Hairspray, it's about Civil Rights, but the lead character is a black woman rather than a white ally/savior. And it's a far more sophisticated and complex take on intersections of poverty, racism, religious prejudice, grief, and domestic violence. With a book and lyrics by Tony Kushner (who wrote Angels in America), this is a show that is more rewarding the deeper you analyze every line, image, song, and scene. Even just the epilogue alone, where Emmy performs an exorcism on a statue of a Confederate soldier, is shockingly powerful. 3. Ragtime: immigration, racism, women's equality, socialism, political violence. Its critical examination of an underlooked but important moment in American history does a lot of work to question the narratives we tell about our country (as Americans, of course), and has more to say about current day issues than Les Mis. 4. Cabaret: I mean, a look at Weimar Republic Germany as Nazism is on the rise is definitely tackling serious issues: the Holocaust and Nazism, LGBTQ+ sexuality, addiction, and on and on. The 90s remake really leaned into the horror of the Holocaust that the characters don't know is imminent. Check out Jane Horrocks performing the title song for a version of "Cabaret" that you would NEVER suspect if you only know Liza's version. But obviously there are so many musicals that touch on serious topics, this must have been an impossible video to make.

I think Heathers tackles the subject of suicide well. How society doesn’t view the less popular as worthy of life

Ragtime is still one of the most powerful musicals I've ever seen--deals with racism, women's rights, the immigrant experience, anti-semitism, worker's rights--the music and the storylines hit you right in the gut. Another musical dealing with prejudice is South Pacific. The song You've Got to Be Carefully Taught resonates even today. And also, Legally Blonde deals with the way we judge people by their looks (and also deals with sexual harassment).

I could watch hairspray every single day it's that good

While "Heathers" makes fun of high school. I think it tackled serious issues such as bullying, social status, teenage suicide, date rape and social status.

Dear Evan Hansen, Rent, The Prom to name a few. Waitress is another one, dealing with martial abuse

Phantom of the opera showed how mistreating someone only because of their appearence could destroy their lives, amd even create a monster

I believe Wicked covered some real world issues such as Racism and Corrupt Government..

They need to do a part two. Because there are so many musicals that deal with serious subjects that aren’t mentioned on here. Like Parade, Titanic The Musical, Spring Awakening, Finian's Rainbow, and Oliver. Just to name a few.

Hairspray is one of my all time favourite musicals, and even as a preteen, I admired that even a fun, feel good musical was able to tackle racial issues of the 60's.

Hairspray(2007) came out when i was 9, it is the first time i can remember really being taught about issues such as segregation and body image. Growing up watching musicals like the Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and Ragtime shaped so much of my world view and belief system. Musicals are a way to teach through evoking emotions rather than reading a textbook.

This easily could've been a top 20 list instead, there are just so many more musicals that didn't even make it into honorable mentions.

Don’t most musicals have serious themes at their core, though? They wouldn’t be written or produced, at least not for longer than a run, if they didn’t strike a chord with audiences.

"South Pacific": A Rodgers and Hammerstein musical with major themes of prejudice during World War II

Though not a typical musical, Six the Musical touches on a lot of serious stuff, female empowerment, & some interesting historical trends from the Reign of Henry VIII.

Ok but where is spring awakening? That tackles so many strong topics. It’s such a powerful show and it is one of the most powerful shows. The music is wonderful and submits the tone of the show. The color purple as well deals with many strong topics and shows the growth of one of the strongest female roles. When Celie sings I am here. It’s sooo powerful.

I'm shocked Falsettos didn't at least get an honourable mention

Glad you put major focus on show boat but ragtime needed to be on this list as well.

One musical that should have been on the list is The Phantom of the Opera. That musical teaches the lesson of "Don't judge a book by its cover" BIG time. The Phantom of the Opera experienced a lot of hatred and fear all because his face was physically misshapen, and it teaches that true beauty comes from the inside. In the final song of the musical, Christine Daae said that true distortion lies within the soul, and it shows how we can abolish hate with love.

Next to Normal really should have made this list. I know it’s an honorable mention but that show death with mental health and the over medication of Individuals in a much stronger way than others.

Fiddler on the roof also should be here because of the anti-Jewish part. Also, the music is incredible.

Some of the less popular or less well known musicals that tackle serious issues are: The Light in the Piazza (mental illness) , Chess(American/Russian relations), Bombay Dreams (classism), Aida (corruption of power and slavery), Ragtime (racism), The Boy from Oz

Falsettos is also a really good one it shows the struggle of a broken family but then all comes together in the end due to loss. It shows the pain from the aids epidemic very realistically. It also covers things like toxic masculinity, internalized homophobia, and more. Judaism is also represented in the show in a positive manner. The whole Marvin Trilogy in general does a phenomenal job at showing how hard it was to be gay in the 60s-80s. Now I couldn’t not mention In Trousers and how amazing it is, which also covers internalized homophobia and suppressing one’s sexuality and even mental health issues.

Others that should have been included: The Colour Purple (slavery, abuse), Cabaret (the Nazi uprise) and Spring Awakening (abuse, suicide, abortion). Maybe a second cheery list is needed because there are so many 😅 - and Miss Saigon should definitely have made the list, not just an honourable mention!

You definitely missed out falsettos it tackles with abusive dysfunctional families and even aids it covers a lot of serious issues

The fact ragtime isn’t mentioned is criminal.

Fun Home is super underrated, I hope more people will give it a listen! (The graphic novel it's based on is also excellent)

Riverdale’s next musical episode is going to be “Next to Normal”. That’s going to be interesting, idk if in a good way or a bad way 🤷‍♀️

Even through musicals we can see a change and tackle serious issues issues that we're still dealing with today as Americans

I immediately thought of Heathers. It tells a story about suicide, social groups, mental instability and toxic relationship.

You guys forgot "The Prom". It tackles the issue of discrimination against LGBTQ+ rights.

The Sound of Music tackled the Nazis and the Third Reich.

Emily, Great list! I love so many of these musicals. I’d like to say that Shrek The Musical & Seussical The Musical both deal with bullying. I have been in both these shows and the messages are very powerful.

Finally someone mentions Hair! Hair and Dear Evan Hansen were my favorite Broadway productions and movies

A definite honorable mention, or at least a mention for a second countdown, should go to *Oliver!* Based upon the novel 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens, it dealt with issues of child mistreatment, juvenile delinquency, classism, and domestic violence. Granted, many of these issues were considered acceptable in Victorian-era London, but I think anyone who sees the musical for the first time in 2021 would be alarmed by the content.

I Know Where I’ve Been still gets me goosebumps

The audacity that they would put Come From Away on the HONORABLE MENTION LIST?!!! That’s just horrible..,also rent was more so loosely based on ,Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera La Bohème. (Aka plot and name copy just with New York and aids)

Here's some shows you guys missed: .Newsies (Emily Tretyak described it) .Beetlejuice The Musical (the musical does dealt with grief, finding it hard to move on from the death of a family member) .Spongebob Squarepants the Musical (the effects of a possible apocalypse can do, racism) .Should Hamilton count as a musical that dealt with serious issues? .Frozen (suicidal thoughts, just ask Elsa's song "Monster")

Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Bare A Pop Opera, The Spitfire Grill.

Liked: Hairspray, Miss Saigon (should have been on list instead of an honorable mention), Rent, In The Heights, Billy Elliot, and Dear Evan Hansen Neutral: Hair (but I have a preexisting bias against this show, so...shrug) May I add: From Broadway: Spring Awakening, South Pacific, The King and I, Urinetown, Gypsy, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on The Roof, Sweet Charity, Cabaret, Chicago, 1776 (Molasses to Rum alone should have put this on the list), The Best Little Whore House in Texas, Dreamgirls, La Cage aux Folles, Into The Woods, Falsettos, Ragtime, The Color Purple, Book of Mormon (while a comedy it really is discussing faith and socially acceptable behavior), and Kinky Boots. From Film: Newsies (1992) I don't know if MsMojo is limited by which shows they can access film recordings but I feel they went for the low hanging fruit. To reiterate other posters most musicals deal with at least one heavy theme (yes, even Wicked and Prom) so you could have thrown a dart and built this page.

What about South Pacific…

'Bright Star' was a brilliant musical that got overshadowed by the 'Hamilton' blockbuster that tackled the struggle of a woman from a poor background being forcibly separated from her child.

Falsettos should be in honorable mentions somewhere at least.

I love Hairspray.:-) In the 1988 movie, I love the "Hairspray"It is the first song that plays.:-) song. Rent is also outstanding.:-D

I'm kind of surprised that Spring Awakening didn't make at least your honorable mentions list.

My brother never appreciates musicals and always thinks they’re cheesy but really,this is the thing he is missing out with. This should be top 20 with more notable musicals especially The Color Purple And Miss Saigon who deserve a place here and not only as Honorable Mentions

waitress tackled domestic violence

The Color Purple? This list can't be taken seriously without it

Parade also deserves a mention for tackling religious discrimination.

I would have also included Memphis, but this is a good list, even if Next to Normal was only an honorable mention.

I would argue that “Company” is up there too. It tackles a very basic and difficult learning skill of intimacy with another person through the journey of one man. It cumulates with the songs”Being Alive”. Very powerful.

American Idiot, anyone? Green Day's album brought to Broadway is phenomenal! It's my second favorite next to RENT. Would love to see it again.

Bare: A Pop Opera literally covers everything: religion, death, drugs, homosexuality, self-harm, and more that I won't specify because of spoilers, but it's incredible and one of the best shows I've seen

The ones y'all missed are Ragtime, Spring Awakening, and Next to Normal (I know it's an honorable mention, but it should have made the list). All of those shows are HEAVY, and that's why I love them.

Dear Evan Hansen has never been so relatable for those struggling with mental health. It really makes you feel seen and understood.

I’m glad you mentioned “Jagged Little Pill”. It’s a musical that I have loved listening to and am dying to see when it returns to Broadway.

No mention of The Sound Of Music or South Pacific?

Hey thanks for putting Come From Away in the HM’s that’s a great play!

I wish Be More Chill was on this. It shows the lengths people go to in able to fit in, even if they change themselves. It also referenced substance abuse and how reliant people are on technology.

Hairspray I went to see and loved at the theatre

I have to talk about Carrie. It goes for a more tragic vibe than scary like the movie, and it addresses bullying and like what’s basically a school shooting, along with r*pe, religious trauma, and child abuse. I cry every time man lol.

As mentioned below, Ragtime and The Color Purple are excellent serious musicals. Also Urinetown, which is wildly comedic on the surface but it deals with poverty, climate change, and our unsustainable existence.

Parade also tackled several very serious issues at once, and brilliantly.

South Pacific and Fiddler on the Roof come to mind.

very very great epic list I like it a lot very great job mis mojo one of my absolute favorite list ever ❤

You left out Phantom of the Opera which was about disfigured man who was searching for Love, acceptance, and hope, but entire world despise Him, treated like a animal and threw him away like he was nothing, and as well made him into the monster he is now. Which is a powerful message to people with special needs and to those who actually are disfigured because they to have labels on them, carry stigmas, and having the world look down upon them, the Phantom of the Opera shows them that they are not alone, and that this issue that the world has solve. You also left out Evita which about Eva Perron a women who tries to find her way, blaze her own trail, and creates her own path in a country that was in a middle of a power struggle and in a middle of a struggling working class, she then throws her support to the struggling working class with the help of her husband Juan Perron, as they fight to create a perfect society and better conditions for the working class, which a clear message to women empowerment, political corruption and yes the rights of the individual worker, and it also shows that the power of the people is greater then that of its own government, which we see today.

I know it's not as popular as some on this list, but "Spring Awakening" should have definitely been on here. As should "The Color Purple".

You should also check out at lesser known Andrew Lloyd Webber musical called The Beautiful Game. It covers the conflict in Ireland between catholics and protestants in the shape of a football game.

Newsies, my favorite musical, is my favorite musical not just because of the songs, colorful characters, and dance numbers... it's because it touches the real world issue of child labor and child abuse with the hope and inspiration to improve for the future through teamwork and love. It is based off of one of the most underrated yet very important U.S. historical event which was the Newsboy strike of 1899, a strike not just against big newspaper businesses in New York, but a fight for freedom/child labor laws and against child abuse that the children faced in the 1800s.

I have a list of what I personally think should be on this list: - Spring Awakening (Sexuality,Abuse,Suicide,Abortion) - Fiddler On The Roof (Anti-Semitism, Religion) - Cabaret (Anti-Semitism, Homosexuality, Discrimination) I know I’m forgetting plenty but these are a few big ones for me personally

The fact the only addresss toxic masculinicity in Billy Elliot and not the whole de-industrilation of an entire industry across amazes me. The after effects are still felt today.

What about Spring Awakening?

y’all should be in jail for not including Parade and Ragtime

I don’t know why, but I cry ever time I see Angel’s face. Maybe it’s because she’s an example of a beautiful soul that couldn’t stay for long.

You know Falsettos also tackled the Aids epidemic too. It's one of my favorite musicals😁

Thoroughly Modern Millie is one I've never seen mentioned in this regard. The subplot and climax revolve around human trafficking.

South Pacific. It, like Show Boat, pushed the idea of racism center stage in an era when almost no other art forms (at least in America) we’re doing so, and remained unchanged by its creators despite audience pressure to drop the theme.

What about the Prom? That tackled discrimination and homophobia.

Some more honorable mentions :) South Pacific- about two love stories that may be crushed due to racial prejudices, both internally caused and externally caused Cabaret- Story about prejudice against Jews in 1930’s Berlin, some time during Nazi Germany La Cage aux Folles- Despite it being glamorous and feel-good, the story is set about a gay couple who’s son’s girlfriend’s parents are conservatives have prejudice against homosexuals The Prom- Story about a lesbian girl who is denied of going to the prom, ending up going to a prom only for her, and her girlfriend is the daughter of a conservative mother associated with the school in the PTA

Everybody’s talking about Jamie.... except Ms Mojo apparently...

Come From Away deserved more than an Honorable Mention. It is such an important and special story! I am also sad that Waitress wasn’t on here. It is such a good story about dealing with absorb marriage and working to escape it!

Waitress is my favorite. It deals with domestic abuse and I think it adapted the original movie very well.

Could you please do top 10 Lucifer songs?

Ok I agree with some but they could have took out hairy spray,rent,lai mes and put in some less talk about musical at this time that have a good message like the color purple,newise,heathers,and hunchback of Notre dame version that came out after the Disney moive version. I count 3 that I have not heard about in the last few years.

I would argue that Falsettos deserves Rent's place on this list. Lindsay Ellis has a FANTASTIC video about Rent. It is a cultural phenomenon and definitely was a huge topic to cover in the 90's but Falsettos covers AIDS as well (if not better than rent) without ever even saying the word. Additionally, it touches on what it means to be a man, coming of age, relationships, and what it is like to be Jewish. On that note, parade and cabaret definitely should have been honourable mentions. Both deal with antisemitism among other themes. Also going to say that next to normal deserved a spot on this list as well.

"you can't stop the beat" is my happy song - that shit slaps and i always catch myself smilin'

9 to 5 reminds me of Office Space. It seems like the original Office Space.

Be more chill tackles drugs, school hierarchies, and depression

Spring Awakening: while the language has much to be desired in my opinion, it teaches the dangers of keeping the younger generation ignorant as well as sexuality, abuse, and suicide

I think Assassins should be on this list since it even got blocked from entering Broadway due to the serious issues Assassins discussed for what was going during the period it was released in.

Hair is my favorite musical EVER.

Top ten musicals that have not aged well list please

Why was most of this list so out of focus? The blurryness hurt my 👀

I love musicals!

The Triangle Trade song from 1776. You've got to be Carefully Taught from South Pacific is also a good choice. Carousel--marital abuse and suicide.

No ‘Zoot Suit’ or ‘Sarafina!’ makes me sad 😩

Cabaret is a thought provoking classic about the rise of the Third Reich in Germany. In some ways, that show was devastating to be in.

What about The Prom? It’s overflowing with serious issues! …in a good way of course. But still!

Where tf is Spring Awakening?