Top of the class: the best school-set musicals

They’re the best years of our lives and they make for great musicals!

That’s right, as it’s September, we’re looking at some of the best musicals set in schools and colleges.

So when you walk through the school gates for a new year, you should own that you’re the main character of your own story – just like these cool characters.

13

We have a lot to thank Jason Robert Brown’s lesser-known musical 13 for! It gave Ariana Grande her start in show business, and if you’re starting a new school this year, you may find comfort in this show’s soundtrack. A film adaptation is also available on Netflix!

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

C-a-p-y-b-a-r-a, e-p-i-c-a-l-y-x, c-y-s-t-i-t-i-s, q-a-i-m-a-q-a-m… never say we don’t help you with your revision!

Be More Chill

Musicals set in high schools usually feature a cast of characters who are grappling with their identity, while collectively agreeing that school altogether sucks – though none more so than perhaps those in cult favourite Be More Chill.

Bring It On

A new school year? Bring it on! There’s plenty to enjoy in this high-energy stage adaptation about friendship, and we have a “Killer Instinct” that you and your squad are in for a cheer-tastic year!

Carrie

Hopefully, your high school prom will be nothing like Carrie’s! We’d love to see this one back on stage some time soon.

Dear Evan Hansen

We may not have a map on how to navigate high school… but we do know that a collection of voices coming together for “You Will Be Found” will always sound immense.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Attitude as you walk into drama class: I’m a superstar, “And You Don’t Even Know It”!

Grease

If you find yourself daydreaming of those “Summer Nights” while in class, fear not! You may have been able to live them out at the immersive Secret Cinema production over the summer – whether your uniform is pink jackets or black leather, everyone’s born to hand jive, baby.

Hairspray

“Forget about your algebra and calculus, you can always do your homework on the morning bus…” We don’t want to advocate Corny Collins’ teachings and see you land in detention, however, we could all learn a lot from Tracy Turnblad.

Heathers the Musical

Hey, yo [insert your school name here]! Heathers really does shine a light on the different sorts of relationships you can forge at school, I guess. It’s heading back on tour next year.

High School Musical

Soaring and flying back onto the UK stage in a new production next year, High School Musical is perhaps the definitive example of its description. This new school term could be the “Start of Something New”. Let’s go, Wildcats!

Legally Blonde

Harvard Law School is one of the most famous faculties in the world, and Elle Woods is its most famous student. What, like it’s hard? A new tour will be bending and snapping across the UK next year.

Matilda The Musical

Need a reminder of your ABCs after the summer holidays? Tim Minchin has penned a song for that – “School Song” – and you can hear it live this September when the show heads out on its second UK tour. Now, we just wish we could remember algebraic formulas as easily as we can musical theatre lyrics…

Mean Girls

“I wish we could all get along like we used to in middle school…” I wish we could quote Mean Girls and everybody would be happy. Good thing there’s the first-ever UK tour of the WhatsOnStage Award-winning musical on the way! That is so fetch.

The Prom

Broadway show The Prom has never been staged professionally in the UK, but it’s much-loved due to its big-screen adaptation, which starred Jo Ellen Pellman, Kerry Washington, James Corden, Ariana DeBose, Keegan-Michael Key, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, Meryl Streep and more! It’s one to watch to mark the start of a new school year.

School of Rock

If you have a teacher like Dewey Finn, count yourself lucky. This movie is proof that school isn’t all about maths and grammar, but also art and expression. Get yourself into the band!