One of the first places that we can’t wait to get back to after the pandemic is Broadway. New York City’s Broadway holds 41 professional theaters and has been the epicenter of theatre since the start of the 19th century. For over 200 years, hundreds of plays have circulated through these theaters and some of the most widely popular have been musicals.

1866’s “The Black Crook” is considered by historians to be the first modern musical and it opened at the Niblo’s Garden Theater. As of 2020, over 300 musicals have been on Broadway, telling stories of witches, prisoners, royalty and founding fathers. Take a look at the gallery below to see tattoos inspired by 15 of the most famous musicals ever to grace a Broadway stage, then let us know your favorite musical in the comments section on social media.

“Chicago”

Broadway Debut: 1975

Notable Cast and Crew: Choreographer Bob Fosse

Based on a: 1926 play

Live Action Film: Yes

“Wicked”

Broadway Debut: 2003

Notable Cast and Crew: Idina Minzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Galinda

Based on a: 1995 novel

Live Action Film: Coming Soon

“Les Misérables”

Broadway Debut: 1987

Notable Cast and Crew: Lea Salonga as Éponine and Fantine

Based on a: 1862 novel

Live Action Film: Yes

“Rent”

Broadway Debut: 1996

Notable Cast and Crew: Anthony Rapp as Mark Cohen, Idina Menzel as Maureen Johnson and Taye Diggs as Benjamin Coffin III

Based on a: 1896 opera

Live Action Film: Yes

“Mamma Mia!”

Broadway Debut: 2001

Notable Cast and Crew: Music by ABBA

Live Action Film: Yes

“Hairspray”

Broadway Debut: 2002

Notable Cast and Crew: Harvey Fierstein as Edna and Laura Bell Bundy as Amber

Based on a: 1988 film

Live Action Film: Yes

“Kinky Boots”

Broadway Debut: 2013

Notable Cast and Crew: Music by Cyndi Lauper and Billy Porter as Lola

Based on a: 2005 film

Live Action Film: Yes

“Grease”

Broadway Debut: 1972

Notable Cast and Crew: Peter Gallagher as Danny and Richard Gere as Sonny

Live Action Film: Yes

“Cabaret”

Broadway Debut: 1966

Notable Cast and Crew: Denis O’Hare as Ernest (1998 revival)

Based on a: 1951 play and 1939 film

Live Action Film: Yes

“The Phantom of the Opera”

Broadway Debut: 1988

Notable Cast and Crew: Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Based on a: 1910 novel

Live Action Film: Yes

“Dear Evan Hansen”

Broadway Debut: 2016

Notable Cast and Crew: Music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Live Action Film: Coming Soon

“Hamilton”

Broadway Debut: 2015

Notable Cast and Crew: Music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton

Based on a: 2004 biography

Live Action Film: No

“The Book of Mormon”

Broadway Debut: 2011

Notable Cast and Crew: Music by Trey Parker, Andrew Rannells as Elder Price, Josh Gad as Elder Cunningham

Live Action Film: No

“My Fair Lady”

Broadway Debut: 1956

Notable Cast and Crew: Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle

Based on a: 1913 play

Live Action Film: Yes

“Spamalot”

Broadway Debut: 2005

Notable Cast and Crew: Tim Curry as King Arthur of Britain, Sara Ramirez as The Lady of the Lake and Hank Azaria as Sir Lancelot

Based on a: 1975 film

Live Action Film: Coming Soon