A Brief History of Musical Theater
- Posted February 3, 2025 by Mara Wood
- In the Wings
A Brief History of Musical Theater
A Brief History of Musical Theater
By Rylee Vogel
Musical Theater is a relatively new concept in the world of theatrical entertainment. Musicals, as we know them today, did not emerge until the mid-1920s in the United States. Prior to this, opera, operetta, and vaudeville dominated the stage. Here is a brief outline of all the different years in American musical theater history
The Jazz Age (1920-1939)
The Jazz Age of musical theater combined the spectacle of vaudeville with jazz music. This was the era of glitz and glamor. It was during this time that book musicals were starting to emerge and gain popularity. Today, Show Boat (1927) is considered the first major work of American Musical Theatre.
The Golden Age (1940-1959)
With the end of the Great Depression and World War II, people were ready for a new age in performing. Golden Age musicals flourished and became a part of mainstream media. Movies, stage, and radio all featured musicals. Musicals from this era tend to have a full plot, optimistic themes, and strong elements of romance and community. Some of the most well-known shows from this era include Oklahoma! (1943), The Sound of Music (1959), Cinderella (1957), and Singin’ in The Rain (1952).
Post-Golden Age (1960-1969)
Post-Golden Age musicals represent a transitional period in the performing arts, reflecting US cultural shifts in the 1960s. These musicals begin to tell the stories of more diverse groups of people while shifting to a more contemporary sound. Fiddler on the Roof (1964), Funny Girl (1968), and Hair (1964) are all great examples of this.
Pre-Contemporary (1970-1999)
In the pre-contemporary age, musicals became more experimental and focused on telling complex stories that showcase the human experience. This era also featured a broad range of musical styles such as pop, rock, classical, and world-wide influences. Les Misérables (1980), Cats (1977), Chicago (1975), Rent (1996), and The Lion King (1997) are all key examples of this era.
Contemporary (2000-Present Day)
The contemporary era brings us to today. Modern musicals tend to feature a wide variety of musical genres and plots. There has also been a major emergence of jukebox musicals and musical adaptations of movies and media. Some of the most iconic works to already emerge have been Next to Normal (2008), Hamilton (2015), Avenue Q (2004), and Waitress (2016).

It's Showtime!
We are very excited to launch our “In the Wings” blog at Wenger. Of course, you’ve known Wenger since you stepped foot on the theatre stage or sang your heart out standing on the choral risers. Now as an performing arts professional, you’re molding and guiding performers every day, and we’d love to help. You can subscribe, or follow us on social channels so you never miss a post.
Want more from
In the Wings?
Sign up to receive the latest posts!
Comments are closed.