10 Musicals Set in Europe

West Side Story, RENT, Annie, Oklahoma, Grease, Chicago, the Book of Mormon and Dear Evan Hansen are all famous musicals set in America. However, if you are a lover of the theatre stationed here in Europe, there are plenty of musicals to sing along to not only set in this continent but that you can see yourself while you are here.

Six | 16th Century England: “All you Wanna do” is hire a babysitter and see this musical that has swept London and Broadway by storm. It is all about Henry VIII’s wives who take control of their narrative about their one line in a silly poem as they are “Divorced, beheaded and LIVE!” Click here to learn about the U.K. and Ireland tour. Click here to learn about the upcoming Amsterdam tour.

Les Misérables | 19th Century France: Better known as “Les Mis” among theatre kids and fans everywhere, dream a dream and don’t wait “One Day More” to find yourself at this musical set with the backdrop of the French Revolution. This is the longest-running musical in the world. Click here to learn about the U.K. and Ireland tour. 

Spring Awakening | 19th Century Germany: Take the mama who bore you and the guilty ones to this rock musical all about teenagers and their hormones (this is not a family-friendly show). It is based on the 1891 German play of the same name. This show is an 11-time Tony winner. For those in Germany, you can catch the show on November 22 in Lüneburg.

Mamma Mia | Late 20th Century Greece: “Mamma Mia” here we go again as Sophie tries to figure out the identity of her biological father in time for her upcoming wedding. Abba fans around the world will enjoy this musical. Click here to learn more about the tours in the U.K., Oslo and Hamburg.  

Something Rotten | 16th Century England: “Welcome to the Renaissance” and try to survive the Black Death as two brothers strive to write the world’s first musical. It is recommended to leave the kids at home for this one. Click here to learn about Wiesbaden MWR’s upcoming 2023 production. 

Anastasia | Early 20th Century Russia and France: “Have you heard, there’s a rumor in St. Petersburg” on this “Journey to the Past” about the mysteriously disappeared Duchess Anastasia. Click here for updates about tours in London.

Phantom of the Opera | 19th Century France: Bring your angel of music and dance your way to this rock opera, which is the second-longest-running musical in the world. Watch as Christine is thrust into stardom, guided by the Phantom of the Opera. Click here to learn more about the tours in the U.K. and Prague. Click here to learn about the tours in Germany. 

Jekyll and Hyde | Victorian-era England: “This is the Moment” to find yourself at this musical that challenges audiences to determine what separates good from evil as Dr. Jekyll’s experiments lead to the creation of his alter-ego, Hyde. Click here to learn about Kaiserslautern MWR’s upcoming 2023 production.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast | 18th Century France: Enjoy this “tale as old as time” as Belle learns the secrets of magical castle and its occupants when she is held captive by the mysterious beast. Click here to learn about the U.K. and Ireland tour. 

Moulin Rouge | Turn of 20th Century France: Dress up in your best “Sparkling Diamonds” and go with the English writer, Christian, as he ventures to Paris to join the Bohemian revolution and while there finds love in the Moulin Rouge (leave the kids at home for this one). Click here to learn about the tour in Cologne. 

Can’t make it to the show? Just want to learn the songs before you go? Check out some of these soundtracks below. *Parents, listen to these before your children do because some of these are NOT family-friendly*

SIX: Live on Opening Night | Les Misérables: Original 1985 London Cast | Spring Awakening: Original Broadway Cast | Mamma Mia: Original Cast Recording | Something Rotten: Original Broadway Cast Recording | Anastasia: Original Broadway Cast Recording | The Phantom of the Opera: Original Cast Recording | Jekyll and Hyde: Original Broadway Cast Recording | Disney's Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical | Moulin Rouge: Original Broadway Cast Recording |