Killer Broadway – 4 Musicals Make True Crimes Sing
Broadway Musicals With Murderers
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – With the return of RAGTIME on Broadway, it is interesting to remember some of the other Broadway musicals that are based on true crime stories. Of course, RAGTIME combines multiple narratives, but one of those is the story of “crazy” Harry Thaw, Evelyn Nesbit, and the murder of Stanford White. You can see the whole story right here. So, here is a look a few other musicals that feature real-life criminals or are based on actual murders. Let us know which ones we missed!
CHICAGO – While the Kander and Ebb musical is based on the 1920’s play by Maureen Dallas Watkins, also called CHICAGO. Watkins based the play on the real-life Belva Gaertner and Beulah Sheriff Annan, two real life merry murderesses. Take that, Jerry Springer! Get the full story here.
THE CAPEMAN – The Paul Simon musical generated some controversy as it was based on the life of murderer Salvador Agrón, who murdered two teen-agers in a 1959 gang fight. In interviews, Paul Simon said he was interested in the idea of forgiveness. Though Salvador Argon died at the age of 42 in 1986, protesters took issue with the 1998 Broadway musical because of its central character.
ASSASSINS – Stephen Sondheim brings the subject of murder and murderers front and center in his musical with a cast that includes John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, and John Hinkley. Speaking of Stephen Sondheim, check out our Stweeten Sondheim contest and join in.
RAGTIME – When the real Harry Thaw shot the real Stanford White, it was at a Broadway musical. Now the crime comes full circle, as the award winning musical is revived on Broadway this fall.
You are officially invited to join us on Twitter to see what other crimes have been turned into musicals.
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Tags: Assassins, Chicago, Evelyn Nesbit, Harry Thaw, Jerry Springer, John Wilkes Booth, Kander and Ebb, Lee Harvey Oswald, Paul Simon, RAGTIME, Stanford White, Stephen Sondheim, The Capeman
