TV Shows That Feature Musical Theatre

A list of shows and documentaries that feature musical theatre performances. To be eligible, shows must include a performance of, or song from, a musical. For a list of TV shows that had a musical episode, check out WhatsOnStage's list.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)

This might be cheating, given that this musical TV show didn't stage a known musical. Yet, there is an episode where the characters audition for a local community theatre performance called 'I'm Finding My Bliss' (S4E14), which features songs in different musical theatre styles. Nonetheless, the whole show is fantastic and includes numbers sprinkled in inspired by Les Mis and more. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and DVD and the songs from the episode are on YouTube on both the CW and Rachel Bloom (@racheldoesstuff)'s channels.

Source: Vulture

Smash (2012-2013)

The classic Broadway series. This could be considered cheating, but a stage musical adaptation of Bombshell has been talked about for years and it was recently announced that Smash itself will be adapted. Whether you want the classic style Marilyn Monroe musical Bombshell developed in season 1, or the more contemporary Hit List in season 2, it's a fun time. The reunion which featured most of the leading cast members was just streamed alongside the Bombshell concert, so there's no better time to get into it. Smash is available on Amazon Prime.

Source: Amazon Prime

Glee (2009-2015)

Remember when they did musicals on Glee? Mr Schue and Bryan Ryan (Neil Patrick Harris in his guest role) auditioned for Les Misérables in S1E19 and the cast performed Rocky Horror in an episode of season 2 (S2E5). Season 3 has multiple episodes dedicated to the rehearsals and production of West Side Story (S3E2, S3E3 and S3E5) and season 4 includes auditions and the staging of Grease (S4E5 and S4E6). Season 5 is when Rachel is cast in Funny Girl, so there's content from that musical across the season (S5E5, S5E9, S5E14 and S5E17). Glee is available on Netflix, Now TV, Amazon Prime and DVD. The Showmance Glee recap episodes are also great and are available where podcasts are found.

Source: E! News

Fosse/Verdon (2019)

An incredible biopic about Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon and the Broadway people around them, many played by Broadway actors. The show features re-creations of various Fosse shows and films such as Pippin and Chicago. It also unites Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail and Alex Lacamoire. Fosse/Verdon is available on BBC iPlayer, DVD and Amazon Prime.

Source: Wikipedia

The Politician (2019-)

Assassins very aptly featured on The Politician (S1E6) and Ben Platt and Zoey Deutch perform 'Unworthy of Your Love'. Season 2 is coming soon to Netflix where The Politician is available.

Source: Cosmopolitan

Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (2017)

A celebration of Merrily We Roll Along, which originally closed after sixteen performances. Original Broadway Charley Kringas and director Lonny Price looks back on the effect of the show on the cast and creatives. It's moving and shows the heartbreak of a show not living up to expectations and how you move on from it. The documentary is available on Netflix.

Source: YouTube

Six by Sondheim (2013)

This documentary on Sondheim includes performances of 'Send in the Clowns' from A Little Night Music by Audra McDonald and Will Swenson and 'Opening Doors' from Merrily We Roll Along. Darren Criss performs as Franklin Shepard, Jeremy Jordan as Charles Kringas, America Ferrera as Mary Flynn, Laura Osnes as Beth Spencer, Jackie Hoffman as the auditionee and Sondheim himself as Joe Josephson. Six by Sondheim is available on HBO and YouTube.

Source: New York Theater

Most Valuable Players (2010)

A documentary following various school musical casts who hope to be nominated for their local community theatre awards; the Freddy Awards. A throwback for people who took part in school or youth theatre, Most Valuable Players features performances of multiple school musicals including Les Misérables. Available on Amazon Prime.

Source: Most Valuable Players

Sound of Musicals with Neil Brand (2017)

A BBC three episode long documentary about the history of musical theatre, featuring performances of musical theatre numbers by Siobhan Dillon, Robert Lindsay and Tosh Wanhogo-Maud. Not currently available on iPlayer but there are clips available on the BBC's website.

Source: BBC

The Sound of Musicals (2013)

A behind the scenes look at West End musicals. We're taken through the run up and opening of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory among others. The Sound of Musicals is available on YouTube.

Source: The Arts Desk

West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic (2016)

A documentary about the history of West Side Story hosted by Bruno Tonioli and Suzy Klein. It features interviews about the original production with cast members and performances of the classic songs by a cast of West End regulars. Rob Houchen sings Tony and Christine Allado sings Maria and it's available on YouTube.

Source: HD Documentary.com

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Talent Shows:

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria (2006)

Any Dream Will Do (2007)

I'd Do Anything (2008)

Over the Rainbow (2010)

Superstar (2012)

So many actors currently working were featured on these shows which originally aired on the BBC and ITV. TV viewers voted on their favourite contestant and the winner was cast in a show produced or written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Many of the episodes have been posted on YouTube.

Source: The Movie Database, TV.com and Wordpress

Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods (2008)

A competition show which intended to cast the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde on Broadway to follow the originator Laura Bell Bundy. Many of the contestants went on to become cast members in different productions of the show and now have careers in theatre and music. The Playbill article 'The Oral History of Legally Blonde: The Musical – The Search for Elle Woods' was published in 2018 and revealed what happened behind the scenes. Contestants and the judges recently reunited for a livestream where they discuss their time on the show. I would recommend reading/watching these before or after you watch the programme so as not to misunderstand one particular contestant whose words were allegedly manipulated by the TV producers. Available on YouTube.

Source: Wikipedia

Honourable mentions

Rise (2018)

I haven't seen this show apart from clips and songs but I'm disappointed it didn't get a second season. Rise is about students putting on a production of Spring Awakening and starred Auli'i Cravalho and Josh Radnor. Available on Amazon Prime.

Encore! (2019-)

Kristen Bell's Disney+ show where she reunites high school theatre casts. I haven't seen it yet but I love the concept. Available on Disney+.

Riverdale (2017-)

Or maybe this is a dishonourable mention? So, I'm not the biggest fan of Riverdale and the episodes where they stage a musical. If you did want to check them out though, Carrie is in S2E18, Heathers is in S3E16 and Hedwig and the Angry Inch is in S4E17. Available on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)

The Gilmore Girls revival that I, again, haven't seen. All I know is that Sutton Foster and Christian Borle appear together in an episode (S1E3) where they're dressed as pilgrims and perform a musical. Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and DVD.

I hope this helps you find or rediscover some of the musical theatre content that TV has to offer. I'm sure there are loads I'm missed out, so let me know if you've come across any TV shows where they've staged musicals.