Jazz musicals are a subgenre of musical theater that incorporate elements of jazz music and dance. Some of the most famous jazz musicals include:
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“West Side Story” – This musical, which opened on Broadway in 1957, tells the story of two rival gangs in New York City and the forbidden love affair between a member of one gang and a member of the other. The score features a blend of jazz, classical, and Latin music.
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“Chicago” – This musical, which first opened on Broadway in 1975, is a satirical look at the justice system and celebrity culture in 1920s Chicago. The score features a mix of jazz, blues, and vaudeville styles.
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“The Hot Mikado” – This musical, which first opened in 1939, is a retelling of the classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta “The Mikado” set in a jazz-age atmosphere. The score features arrangements of traditional Japanese music with a jazz twist.
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“Ain’t Misbehavin'” – This musical revue, which first opened on Broadway in 1978, celebrates the music of Fats Waller and the Harlem Renaissance. The score features a mix of Waller’s songs, as well as other jazz and blues numbers of the period.
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“Swing!” – This musical, which first opened on Broadway in 1999, celebrates the swing dance craze of the 1930s and 1940s. The score features a mix of swing standards, as well as original compositions in the swing style.
These are just a few examples of jazz musicals that have been popular on Broadway and in other theaters around the world. The popularity of jazz musicals has waxed and waned over the years, but they continue to be a beloved part of musical theater history.
Source: “The Oxford Dictionary of Musical Theater” (Oxford University Press, 2012).
