Modern musicals have such unique and wide-ranging appeals. From jukebox, to rock and roll, film based, or even period pieces — no wonder musicals are so important to our culture! In addition to these musical characteristics, these stories are relevant to history. Here are 10 historically relevant musicals that take events from our past and turn them into art.

1. Hamilton

Who knew a show about rapping government officials could offer such rich insight into American history. While Hamilton is likely the most well-known history-based musical, it isn’t simply the subject matter that puts this show on the map. It’s invigorating score and ingenious lyrics are what make this musical a historical masterpiece.

2. 1776

1776. No, it’s not just an important date in the history books. It’s also one of the first mainstream musicals to ever tackle the topic of American history in a way that was not only beautiful to listen to but historically relevant and informational.

3. Assassins

A dark and imaginative piece of theatre, Assassins takes the premise of murder and turns it into an ill-fated game. The witty yet unsettling tale combines 9 real-life assassination plots (plucked straight from American history) and retells them through a chain of interwoven dialogue and events.

4. The Scottsboro Boys

A musical turned social critique, The Scottsboro Boys tells the true story of 9 African-American men accused of a crime they did not commit. The entirety of their proceedings take the form of a minstrel show, meant to captivate audiences, and expose them to the well of social inequities which ultimately changed the lives of the Scottsboro boys forever.

5. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

“It’s the age of Jackson! (Yeah Yeah!)” – otherwise known as the satiric rock and roll world of 7th president and apparent emo rock god Andrew Jackson. Don’t worry — it’s not as confusing as it sounds. Just imagine a rather convoluted presidential candidate, his rise to power, and the controversial legacy which he left behind.

6. Parade

This somber musical follows the story of the 1913 Leo Frank case, in which a Brooklyn-raised Jewish man working in Atlanta is accused and wrongly convicted of raping and murdering his 13 year old employee, Mary Phagan. The story, while devastatingly true, holds some dramatization, as it explores the relationship between Frank and his wife before his imprisonment and unauthorized illegal lynching.

7. Dogfight

Dogfight explores an array of socio-cultural issues during the 1960’s. The musical focuses on Eddie Birdlace, a young Marine, whose self-righteous attitude propels him to take part in a cruel ritual known as the dogfight. In the midst of the game, Eddie meets Rose, a shy and awkward waitress whom he invites as his date — not knowing that their relationship will soon change his perspective on life.

8. Signs Of Life

A musical drama based on the true story of a Czech ghetto. The show depicts a lesser known concentration camp used by the Nazis as propaganda to sway public perception. The show tells the story of a group of captives working from inside the camp to expose the truth about the regime through their art and music.

9. Allegiance

Balancing themes of hope, pride, and forgiveness, Allegiance is a musical inspired by true events, and tells the story of the Kimura family, whose lives are immediately changed when they and 120,000 other Japanese-Americans are forced to move into government sanctioned internment camps after the bombing at Pearl Harbor.

10. Come from Away

A bold new musical set in the week following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which goes on to tell the true story of what happened after 7,000 stranded passengers were welcomed into the small town of Newfoundland after overcoming fear, mistrust, and cultural disparity. Come From Away shares the story of new and enduring friendships, music, and love.