What Was Musical Theatre Like in 1980s?

Musical Theatre|Theater

The 1980s saw a resurgence of musical theatre in the United States, with Broadway, West End and regional venues playing host to some of the most iconic musicals of all time. The decade was marked by the rise of both traditional and contemporary musicals, as well as a number of critically acclaimed revivals.

The Broadway season for the 1980s was dominated by long-running megahits like Cats, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. These shows were accompanied by other crowd-pleasers such as A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls and Evita. With their soaring melodies and spectacular production values, these were the shows that defined the era.

The West End was just as influential during this period, with renowned productions such as Blood Brothers, Starlight Express and Miss Saigon all making their debuts in London’s theatres. These productions brought new levels of spectacle to musical theatre and set a new standard for future shows to follow.

At the same time, there was also a resurgence in classic musicals being revived on both sides of the Atlantic. Amongst these were productions such as Brigadoon and Fiddler on the Roof – both produced to critical acclaim – while Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar made its return to British stages after an absence of 13 years.

The 1980s also saw an increase in contemporary musical theatre, with shows such as Into The Woods and Sunday In The Park With George forming part of a new wave of groundbreaking works being produced during this decade.

Overall, it can be said that the 1980s was an incredibly important decade for musical theatre – one which saw a number of iconic productions debuting around the world and bringing this genre back into popular culture. With its mix of classics being revived alongside more modern innovations, this era represented a highpoint in musical theatre that has yet to be matched since.

Conclusion: Musical theatre in the 1980s saw an incredible surge in popularity due to iconic productions like Cats Les Miserables making their debuts on stage around the world. At the same time there were also revivals of classic shows like Brigadoon and Fiddler on The Roof taking place alongside more contemporary works like Into The Woods – creating an era that has yet to be matched since in terms of quality or innovation.