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Musical theatre has always had a vast impact on pop culture for the masses—think of all the different '80s Broadway ballads that made their way onto the Top 40 radio, or how many musical theatre songs trend on TikTok now. But it can sometimes be hard to plunge right into the genre when one isn't used to storytelling to song, or so they think. 

Plenty of musicians have had their songs performed on the Broadway stage. Whether it's in biographical works like the upcoming Dolly: An Original Musical (that use a song catalogue to walk through an entire career and legacy), or musicals using songs from one (or various!) artists to tell an original story that still aligns with the lyrics, like Mamma Mia! or & Juliet. These are what we (theatre nerds) call jukebox musicals, and they're a great introduction to musical theatre. 

If you've been trying to get your aunt, your coworker, your cousin, or someone special in your life into musical theatre, these hit jukebox musicals are great additions to your theatre starter pack. Here are 10 jukebox musicals currently on Broadway, or stopping by on tour near you.

1. Mamma Mia!

Even those who claim they do not "know" about theatre certainly know about Mamma Mia!, the smash-hit ABBA musical that has kept the Swedish pop group at the heart of pop culture from generation to generation. The musical is set on the eve of a wedding, as a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they had last visited 20 years ago. Songs include "Dancing Queen," "The Winner Takes It All," "Money, Money, Money," and "Take a Chance on Me." If you missed the original production of Mamma Mia! in the early aughts, this is your lucky year, as the internationally celebrated musical is finally returning to Broadway in a revival at the Winter Garden Theatre this summer, after an extensive 25th-anniversary national tour.

2. Jersey Boys

Whether you hail from New Jersey or you just really enjoy Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Jersey Boys is an easy bet. Even if you aren't a huge fan of the midcentury group, Jersey Boys has earned acclaimed in theatre history for being an excellent jukebox musical, and a great musical overall. Bio musicals can be hard to land sometimes, with the difficult balance between dutifully honoring an artist's life while still keeping an audience that may not be familiar with theatre engaged and energized. Jersey Boys achieves this in spades, with an interesting storytelling structure, as each member of the band recounts his own section (or season) of the band's story: spring (Tommy DeVito), summer (Bob Gaudio), fall (Nick Massi) and winter (Frankie Valli). This jukebox musical has also been adapted into a musical film, which was released in 2014. The return of the touring production was announced for this year, but

3. & Juliet

This currently-running hit musical defines "jukebox" in every way, with an assortment of 21st-century pop hits by Grammy winner Max Martin set to the story of Romeo and Juliet, but with an ultra-modern, pop-girl-approved twist that asks audiences: What if Juliet didn't die, but did decide to go her own way? What follows is a rollercoaster of laugh-inducing rewrites and a heartening journey of self-discovery and songs made famous by the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and other pop acts.  at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre and also . 

4. A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical

Good times never seemed so good as they are seeing A Beautiful Noise! The bio-musical takes a look at the life of the Grammy-winning Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-r Neil Diamond, then and now, accompanied by hits from his decades-long career in popular music. Whether your dad is a big Diamond fan, or your partner is a music history buff, this biomusical is a safe bet for a good time, great music, and an enlightening story. A Beautiful Noise is across the United States.

5. MJ the Musical

You just can't beat it with MJ the Musical. Centered around the making of Michael Jackon's 1992 Dangerous World Tour, and created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson into legendary status. Packed with beloved dance moves and the King of Pop's best-known songs (such as "Thriller" and "Smooth Criminal"), MJ will electrify you and anyone you take along for the ride, which is truly unlike any other, with a satisfying balance of fun-filled energy and serious contemplation of the King of Pop's complicated life.  at the Neil Simon Theatre, and

6. Moulin Rouge!

Baz Luhrmann's beloved musical film is a no-brainer for the stage. But with nearly two decades passing between the film's 2001 release and its 2019 Broadway premiere, many cultural resets within pop music had already come and gone, leaving room for some newer songs to step into the show. Many of the songs originally featured on screen have been swapped out for new additions like Lorde's "Royals," Walk the Moon's "Shut Up and Dance," and even fun's "We Are Young." That means Moulin Rouge! feels brand new even to its original cult following. The show also frequently brings in several "stunt casts," welcoming stars from Hollywood and beyond, beckoning even bigger audiences who just might be seeing their first Broadway show. at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and is .

7. Tina: The Turner Musical

Whether someone is a megafan of Tina Turner or just appreciates a showstopping performance, one can't resist rocking-and-rolling along to Tina. This biomusical reveals the courageous story of a woman who overcame an abusive marriage and societal prejudice to become “Queen of Rock 'n' Roll." It also features Turner's hit songs such as "What's Love Got to Do With It," "River Deep, Mountain High," and "Proud Mary."  across North America.

8. Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Time of Times of the Temptations

This biomusical about the trailblazing Motown group offers plenty of beloved songs like "My Girl" and "Just My Imagination," and the story it tells is just as strong as the music. Exploring how The Temptations' were formed in the midst of the Civil Rights movement across America and why they continue to endure today, Ain't Too Proud is a beautiful tribute to brotherhood, Black history, and a great group of artists.  across the United States.

9. Hell's Kitchen

For a more modern day hit with recent chart toppers like "Girl on Fire" and "Empire State of Mind," Hell's Kitchen is currently running on Broadway in a crowd-winning production at the Shubert Theatre. This relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun musical is based on the early life of Alicia Keys, the musical is a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up, all set to a mix of Keysâ€� classic songs and new songs written exclusively for the show. at the Shubert Theatre and is on .

10. Just in Time

This splish-splashin' tribute to Bobby Darin starring Jonathan Groff is rocking the socks off of everyone who attends it. Groff plays himself playing Bobby Darin (basically like a tribute concert on Broadway) who charms audiences with his triple-threat talent, much like Darin himself did. With classic songs (such as "Mack the Knife" and "Splish Splash") to make anyone who might recognize them smile—whether that's your mom or your mid-century music aficionado friend—and a surprisingly sobering story about powering through with your dreams, even when you feel like circumstances may be holding you back, Just in Time will steal the heart of anyone who sees it. And you can see Groff, a modern legend, at his best.  at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

Take a look at other beloved and popular jukebox musicals below. 

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30 Jukebox Musicals That Brought Your Favorite Music to Broadway

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