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Rock musicals have developed alongside the changing form of rock music, and their definition of style has therefore changed over the years. Many rock musicals also overlap in style with other musical theatre genres, such as concept musicals, jukebox musicals, and megamusicals. This guide explores the development of the rock musical and its relationship with other genres of musical theatre.

Terminology

• Concept musical: a musical where a theme, metaphor or concept is just as important as the overarching plot and the featured songs.
• Hippie counterculture: a counterculture originating in the United States in the 1960s, typically characterized by unconventional dress and behavior, communal or transient lifestyles, opposition to war, and liberal attitudes toward sexuality and drugs.
• Jukebox musical: a musical that features hit songs of a popular music group or genre.
• Megamusical: a large-scale musical produced for large commercial profit.
• Rock opera: a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera.

Key Dates & Events

• 1967 - Premiere of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical.
• 1971 - Premiere of Jesus Christ Superstar, one of the most successful rock operas of all time.
• 1996 - Premiere of Rent, which went on to win the Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Musical.
• 2015 - Premiere of School of Rock, featuring child musician actors as a live rock band.