The Rise of the Jukebox Musical

 In the past few years there has been a startling increase in jukebox musicals. That's right, musicals that contain pre-existing popular songs. Think Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia, or Jagged Little Pill. Now, many would call this type of storytelling lazy or derivative, and admittedly I too jumped on the Jukebox hating train, but I feel that I've started to see the light, and I'm beginning to realize Jukebox musicals aren't all that bad. 

For starters, the idea of jukebox musicals being new is completely untrue. Although jukebox musicals are at the greatest height of popularity now, their roots can be traced back to songbook musicals like Ain't Misbehavin (1978). It was undoubtedly Mamma Mia that catapulted the genre into mainstream success in 1999, backed by it's already famous songs by the Swedish hit band Abba. However, it seems that the 21st century just CANNOT get enough of jukebox musicals. From Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages to & Juliet and MJ the Musical, jukebox musicals have taken over 42nd street. 

I'll start with the few things I like about jukebox musicals, but I've gotta be honest it's a pretty short list. For one, some people who wouldn’t normally see a musical may be willing to buy a ticket for a show featuring their favorite songs, broadening musical theatre’s appeal. Secondly, biographical jukebox musicals like Tina: The Tina Turner Musical can honor legendary artists and preserve their music for new generations. Embarrassingly, I always thought the song Begging was by Maneskin themselves, and had it not been for Jersey Boys, I probably never would've heard of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. 

Okay those were the pros, now onto my favorite part of any blog post, time to be a hater. Some jukebox musicals feel like the plot is merely an excuse to string together hit songs rather than a compelling story in its own right. We Will Rock You (using Queen’s music) was criticized for its weak sci-fi plot that felt disconnected from the music. MAMMA MIA IS A DREADFUL EXAMPLE OF THIS, HALF THE TIME THE SHOW JUST STOPS SO THAT THE SONG CAN HAPPEN AND THEN THE SHOW CAN PICK UP AGAIN. THAT ISN'T HOW THE GENRE WORKS THE PLOT NEEDS TO BE CONVEYED THROUGH SONG AND AGHHHH oh I need to calm down. Unlike traditional musicals, where songs are written specifically to advance character development and plot, jukebox musicals often have to force pre-existing lyrics into dramatic situations, sometimes with awkward results. I'm sorry but there is no way you expect me to believe that a 16th century prostitute would ever sing a rendition of Katy Perry's Firework. Moulin Rouge is the worst offender in my opinion, forcing popular songs into an extremely tragic story, completely jarring the audience. The only saving grace is that it wasn't written in 2025, hearing Christian sing 'that's that me espresso' would probably send me into a coma. 

SIDE NOTE: CAN SOMEBODY WITH THE POWER TO DO SO PLEASE HIRE AARON TVEIT AND GIVE HIM ANYTHING TO DO OTHER THAN PLAY CHRISTIAN FOR THE 57TH TIME. 

In conclusion, not every Jukebox musical is terrible, in fact I am quite fond of ones that stick to a single album or artist. Despite my grievances with Mamma Mia, I thought the movie was a marvelous romp. I really enjoyed Jersey Boys and Jagged Little Pill, two shows that stuck to only one artist. At the very least, if you desperately want to go the Glee route (DAMN THAT G.L.E.E) and use popular songs you gotta make it camp. &Juliet pulled this off well, by having the whole show be so over the top and fun that the Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and other pop icons fit in perfectly. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T MAKE ANOTHER MOULIN ROUGE. 

WHY DOES MY HEARTTT CRYYYY ~ aaron tveit, moulin rouge