The 25 Best Musicals of the 1980's

Recently, we published what we felt have been the best musicals of the 21st Century so far and also the 1990's. Needless to say they got plenty of attention and spurred a lot of debate. Due to the interest and requests from you, we felt it was time to dive a bit further back into musical theatre's rich history. 

So let's go back and take a look at the 1980's. 

Broadway in the 1980's reflected the decade itself with its extravagance and spending. It gave birth to the term "mega-musical" and brought forth bigger spectacle and budgets. It also produced a movement of British dominance of an otherwise American art form. But even with many of the productions being "style over substance" more than a few have stood the test of time as some of the very best musicals have to offer. 

So here, with selections from their incredible scores or videos of their performances, is our list of the 25 Best Musicals of the 1980's.

25. Romance/Romance

24. Grind

23. The Rink

22. Chess

21. Woman of the Year 

20. Barnum

19. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 

18. Baby

17. City of Angels

16. Grand Hotel

15. Rags

14. Blood Brothers

13. Big River

12. The Mystery of Edwin Drood

11. The Phantom of the Opera

10. Dreamgirls

9. Cats

8. Into the Woods

7. Pump Boys and Dinettes

6. Little Shop of Horrors

5. Nine

4. 42nd Street

3. La Cage aux Folles 

2. Sunday in the Park with George

1. Les Misérables