Jukebox Musical

A jukebox musical is a stage or film musical that uses previously released popular songs as its musical score. Usually the songs have in common a connection with a particular popular musician or group — either because they were written by, or for, the artists in question, or were at least covered by them. The songs are contextualized into a dramatic plot: often the biographical story of the performer(s) whose music is featured, although in some cases the plot does not revolve around the particular group at all. Although jukebox musicals had achieved success for years (for instance Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, the musical about the life of Buddy Holly which ran in the West End for 13 years from 1989 to 2003), their recent surge in popularity was led by the success of Mamma Mia!, built around the music of ABBA.

Reception of jukebox musicals have been divided, with the most common criticism being that there's too much focus on how many songs can be fit into the said musical. Some jukebox musicals, like Lennon and Good Vibrations have been critical and financial flops. Others, like Jersey Boys and All Shook Up have received acclaim and have become popular with fans and critics alike.

The term "jukebox musical" was first coined in the 1940s in reference to motion pictures consisting largely of hit recordings. Examples are Jam Session (1944), Rock Around the Clock (1956), Juke Box Rhythm (1959), and A Hard Day's Night (1964).