Musicals with names starting with the letter "S" hold a special place in theatre history. In this in-depth guide, we‘ll explore the origins, plots, music, and legacy of some of the most acclaimed stage shows kicking off with S. From charming romances to dark horrors, these sensational musicals have won devoted fans across generations.
Musicals Starting with S – The Classics
The Sound of Music – A Family‘s Inspiring True Story
Arguably the most famous musical starting with S is Rodgers and Hammerstein‘s 1959 classic The Sound of Music. Adapted from the memoir of Maria von Trapp, it tells the true story of an aspiring nun who becomes a governess for the von Trapp family in Austria on the cusp of World War II. Maria brings music and joy back into the lives of the stoic naval captain Georg von Trapp and his seven children, eventually marrying the captain. As the Nazis gain control of Austria in 1938, the family has to flee the country in a daring escape.
With a gorgeous score by the legendary composing duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music was hailed as the pinnacle of their decades-long creative partnership. Songs like "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," and the title track "The Sound of Music" perfectly complement the story‘s spirit and setting. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1959 starring Mary Martin as Maria, running for nearly 1500 performances and winning multiple Tony Awards.
The 1965 film adaptation made the story accessible to worldwide mainstream audiences. Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, the movie became one of the most critically and financially successful films ever at the time, winning 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. For many, The Sound of Music defined the possibilities of the movie musical genre. Its epic story, unforgettable music, breathtaking Austrian scenery, and joyful spirit has made it a cultural touchstone that continues capturing hearts today.
Fun Facts About The Sound of Music:
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Many of the Von Trapp children weren‘t thrilled with how they were portrayed. They complained about the exaggerated way they‘re shown as constantly singing.
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Christopher Plummer didn‘t enjoy working on the film, calling it "The Sound of Mucus" behind the scenes. He softened later after seeing how much it meant to audiences.
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The iconic opening scene of Julie Andrews twirling on the mountaintop was actually a helicopter spinning with the camera attached to get the swooping aerial view.
Singin‘ in the Rain – Hollywood‘s Golden Age Set to Music
Transporting audiences back to the advent of "talkies" in 1920s Hollywood, Singin‘ in the Rain has dazzled viewers since first hitting theaters in 1952. Directed and choreographed by legend Gene Kelly, who also starred, it‘s a comic love letter to the era of silent films giving way to new sound technology.
Kelly plays Don Lockwood, a popular silent film star alongside co-star Lina Lamont, who unfortunately has a comically unpleasant voice unsuited for talkies. Lockwood‘s best friend Cosmo comes up with the idea to dub in someone else‘s voice for Lina‘s dialogue. That someone ends up being aspiring actress Kathy Selden, who Lockwood met earlier under contentious circumstances but soon falls for.
With a funny script skewering Hollywood egos and great comedic performances by Kelly, Donald O‘Connor and Debbie Reynolds, the movie is filled with show-stopping musical numbers. Kelly‘s iconic song and dance on a rain-soaked street set to the title track "Singin‘ in the Rain" is considered one of the greatest musical scenes in film. Other standouts include "Good Morning" and O‘Connor‘s legendary "Make ‘Em Laugh" dance routine.
Adapted into a stage musical in the 1980s, Singin‘ in the Rain continues paying nostalgic tribute to the glamour and energy of those early days of movie-making. Its incredible choreography and technical razzle-dazzle creates the illusion of rain pouring down on stage. For many fans, it remains simply the greatest movie musical ever made.
Fun Facts About Singin‘ in the Rain:
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Debbie Reynolds said that "Singin‘ in the Rain" scene took Kelly and the choreographers over six months to bring together with all the right camera moves.
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Gene Kelly was sick with a 103 degree fever while performing the "Singin‘ in the Rain" number but pushed through.
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When the film was first released, Kelly‘s dramatic dance routine "Broadway Ballet" was cut from many screenings by theater owners to shorten runtime.
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Donald O‘Connor had to be hospitalized after filming the "Make ‘Em Laugh" number, which took hundreds of takes to perfect all the acrobatics.
Sweeney Todd: Stephen Sondheim‘s Bloody Musical Thriller
One of the first musicals to venture into true horror territory was Stephen Sondheim‘s 1979 opus Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Adapted from the Victorian era urban legend of "The Demon Barber," it unfolds as a bloody tale of madness and revenge in 19th century London. The score by musical theatre legend Sondheim highlights his immense versatility and talent for dark subject matter.
In the original legend, barber Sweeney Todd returns to London after being wrongfully exiled by a corrupt judge who coveted his beautiful wife. Seeking vengeance, he opens a barber shop and slits the throats of customers in his chair, with the bodies disposed of by Mrs. Lovett, his partner in crime who runs a struggling pie shop downstairs. Todd‘s victims become the new secret ingredient in Lovett‘s now popular meat pies.
Sondheim crafted meticulous musical underscoring to amplify the macabre story. The songs fluctuate between romantic ballads and discordant harmonicas as the tension builds. "Epiphany" shows Todd‘s careening mental state as he vows gruesome revenge, while "A Little Priest" is a lively black comedy duet between Todd and Lovett about which flavor pies their future customers may make.
With its shocking story of gruesome murders turned into meat pie filling, Sweeney Todd was unlike any musical seen before. It paved the way for more genre-bending, boundary-pushing shows to succeed on Broadway. Sweeney Todd has been revived frequently over the decades, including a 2007 Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter as the murderous barber and the scheming baker. It remains Sondheim‘s most operatic and hair-raising score.
More Modern Musicals Starting with S
In recent decades, musicals starting with S continue achieving success by combining catchy music with compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
Spamalot – Lovingly Spoofing Musical Theatre Tropes
Lovingly spoofing the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Spamalot brought Monty Python humor to the Broadway stage in 2005. With an irreverent book and score by Eric Idle and composer John Du Prez, it affectionately pokes fun at many musical theatre conventions amidst its loopy take on the quest for the Holy Grail. Those familiar with Monty Python films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail will delight at references to familiar jokes now interpreted through show-stopping song-and-dance.
The show earned rave reviews for its outrageous silliness and comedic timing, winning the 2005 Tony for Best Musical. Popular numbers include the tongue-in-cheek "The Song That Goes Like This" and "You Won‘t Succeed on Broadway" featuring familiar Broadway A-list cameos. Spamalot successfully brought Python‘s signature cheeky British wit to a Broadway spectacle.
Spring Awakening – A 19th Century Rock Musical
One of the biggest sleeper hits of the 2000s was Spring Awakening, an alternative rock musical set in 19th century Germany based on a controversial 1891 play. With an edgy indie rock score and lyrics openly addressing teenage sexuality, it makes an unlikely pairing with a story about youths navigating strict societal mores. But this anachronistic musical spoke to audiences and critics alike, winning 8 Tony Awards in 2007 including Best Musical.
With relatable themes of adolescent angst and rebellion, the show struck a chord with audiences despite being set in another era. Numbers like "The Bitch of Living" and "Totally Fucked" resonated with frank, raw emotions. Spring Awakening helped bring rock musicals into the mainstream and proved shows didn‘t have to follow rigid conventions to find an audience. It launched its young cast into stardom, including future Grammy-winner Lea Michele.
Something Rotten! – An Over-the-Top Musical Comedy
A comedic love letter to musicals themselves, Something Rotten! tells the story of two struggling theatre brothers in the 1590s who are desperate to write the first ever musical, but feel overshadowed by that rockstar playwright William Shakespeare. Suffering from writer‘s block, they visit a soothsayer who somehow foresees the concept of musical theatre centuries ahead of its time, inspiring them to invent the musical genre with delightfully anachronistic show-stopping song-and-dance numbers.
Cleverly spoofing musical tropes both old and new, the show was praised for its side-splitting humor and big heart when it premiered on Broadway in 2015. Something Rotten! delighted crowds with outrageous choreography, flashy costumes, self-referential jokes and an upbeat original score. The cast received several Tony nominations including Best Musical and Best Score. Its good-natured humor and tap-dancing has won over musical theatre fans of all ages.
Legacy & Cultural Impact of Musicals Starting with S
| Musical | Year | Notable Songs | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Sound of Music | 1959 | "My Favorite Things", "Do-Re-Mi", "Edelweiss" | 5 Tony Awards, 5 Oscars |
| Singin‘ in the Rain | 1952 | "Singin‘ in the Rain", "Good Morning" | Golden Globe for Best Comedy |
| Sweeney Todd | 1979 | "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd", "A Little Priest" | 8 Tony Awards |
| South Pacific | 1949 | "Some Enchanted Evening", "I‘m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" | 10 Tony Awards |
| Spamalot | 2005 | "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", "The Song That Goes Like This" | 3 Tony Awards |
| Spring Awakening | 2006 | "The Bitch of Living", "Totally Fucked" | 8 Tony Awards |
Musicals with S names have not just entertained audiences for over seven decades, they have shaped the craft and culture of musical storytelling in indelible ways.
Shows like The Sound of Music, South Pacific and Singin‘ in the Rain demonstrated how musicals could tackle more serious or timely issues while still providing an uplifting, cathartic experience through song and dance. Their emotional narratives and memorable scores raised the bar for integrating plot with music.
The massive 1980s pop-opera hits Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera proved that mostly sung-through musicals could still achieve mass mainstream popularity and box office success. This helped pave the way for other soaring melodic mega-musicals.
Meanwhile, edgy shows like Sweeney Todd and Spring Awakening broke new ground in exploring darker themes of obsession, sexuality and violence. They expanded the boundaries of subject matter musicals could cover, and fused Broadway with more contemporary genres like rock, punk and horror.
Many musicals starting with S have gone on to be adapted into acclaimed films, allowing their stories and songs to reach wider audiences around the world. Novelty shows like Spamalot and Something Rotten! revitalized interest in musical comedy on stage.
From lavish romances to cutting social commentary, musicals kicking off with S have secured their place as iconic touchstones of theatre history for generations to come. Their sensational music and unforgettable characters live on in the pop culture zeitgeist. So next time you‘re looking for a spectacular musical experience, consider giving one of these fantastic "S" shows a view or listen!
