Last week’s article had me thinking more about the state of music on Broadway.  (And you too, based on these comments.)

We know that musicals based on or infused with music made popular on the radio is more prevalent . . . and more popular . . . now than ever.

First, we must remember that the biomusical or jukebox musical isn’t a new form.  Using music to make a musical was around well before Mamma Mia.  

Crazy For You, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Forever Plaid, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Buddy, Leader of The Pack, Big Deal, Bubblin’ Brown Sugar and lots more.  The Beggar’s Opera, produced in 1728, has been called the O.G. jukebox musical. 

So this ain’t nothin’ new.

But that’s not what I was thinking.  

There was a time when music from musicals was all over the radio.  Showtunes WERE popular music.  So you’d hear tunes by Gershwin, Berlin, Kern and more all over the radio . . . and television.  In fact, here’s a bit of musical theater trivia for you . . .

When The Beatles made their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show . . . the most important moment in the British invasion . . . do you know what they sang?

They did “All My Loving.”  They also did “She Loves You.”

And then they did . . . “‘Til There Was You” from The Effin’ Music Man!

Can you believe that?  In their breakthrough moment . . . they did a song from a Broadway musical.  

Imagine Taylor Swift’s first appearance on The Tonight Show.  You think she does “Out Tonight” from Rent?   No way.

We’ve had some super popular musicals in the past several decades.  But not since the “Memory” days has anything truly gotten onto the radio (and even that was more of an adult contemporary).  Hamilton got a little play with its Grammys appearance.  

But think about all the original shows that have been seen by millions . . . that have never had a song on the radio . . . never mind on the pop charts. 

That’s a long way from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s.  

But the relationship between popular (or radio music) and musicals still remains.  The tides just flow in the opposite direction now. 

We make musicals based on what has been on the radio more often than ever before.  Instead of music heard IN musicals making it to the radio first. 

What happened?  Tastes changed.  Who listens to the radio has changed.  Technology changed at warp-speed . . . music could get made and marketed much faster than a musical. 

But it’s important to acknowledge that the relationship is there . . . and it’s an important one, just different now than when that relationship began.  What’s the takeaway?  

First, I don’t ever try to “get my musical’s music on the radio.”  It’d be like winning the lottery . . . and using the winnings to buy a radio station and force them to play it.  

Second, the music in your musical must resonate with your audience . . . whoever you want that audience to be.    

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Got a comment on this article?  I want to hear it!  I write these articles because I believe the world is a better place if there is more theater in it.  And there is only more theater in the world if we’re talking about how to make more theater and better there.

And your comment will help!