Top 10 Times SNL Made Fun of Musicals

“Omigod You Guys” this middle school is putting On “Legally Blonde” the Musical, “What like it’s hard?” Yes. Yes, apparently it is. If you’ve ever been to a middle school musical, you’ll know this feeling all too well. You walk in excited to see your kid on stage, and then they start singing. Or something like that. And the choreography is... there too. These theater kids might not nail every note or step, but at least they’re having a blast, right? Oh, and there’s a good reason the Broadway show doesn’t use wires in its big finale. Maybe a few more nights of performing will get them “Whipped into Shape.”

If you thought Liesl and Rolf’s romance in “The Sound of Music” was complicated because of his political leanings, “SNL” took it to another dark place. Liesl starts singing that familiar song we all love, but then Rolf drops a bombshell that leaves us stunned. The sketch is pretty dark, but John Mulaney delivers it with such energy that you can’t help but chuckle—even if it’s one of those moments where you’re wondering, “Is it okay to find this funny?” Because we definitely “Layee odl, layee odl layee-dee”do. Maria and Captain Von Trapp soon join the scene and make another good point about their own relationship.

Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” was a ’90s phenomenon, but let’s be honest, it isn’t exactly kid-friendly. Yet one director believes he has what it takes to change that. He’s swapped the theme of the HIV/AIDS epidemic with... diabetes. What you get is basically when someone copies and pastes their homework, changes a few words, so now it makes no sense at all. We meet some of the young cast members who definitely have the wrong idea about both the show and diabetes. If you’ve ever watched or been part of a school production that tries to tone down edgy material but still ends up being wildly inappropriate, this skit will hit close to home.

Remember those theater kid sketches? This skit almost feels like it’s showing us what they might be up to now. It’s a political musical that tries to address every headline and hot-button issue without actually saying much. There’s this Lin-Manuel Miranda-style rap, but honestly, we couldn’t tell you what it’s about. Also, there’s a weirdly sexy Statue of Liberty that’s honestly just baffling. The big finale even hints that singing about issues may carry more power than actually voting. As Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon fight over the last note, you realize these performers have their own agenda. This isn’t the only time “SNL” added some “Razzle Dazzle” to the political scene.

In 2018, Tina Fey brought her hit teen flick “Mean Girls” to Broadway. Apparently, writing the show isn’t enough—she also wants to star in it, Lin-Manuel Miranda-style. In this skit, she tries out several roles to find the perfect fit. Her vibrato is... unique, and her dance moves aren’t quite Broadway-ready. Eventually, they find her a suitable role, but it seems that dancing in a lion’s outfit is harder than it looks! We love how Fey pokes fun at herself while promoting the show. In the end, she praises her cast and tells the audience why they’re so special. Plus, she finds her place in the “Mean Girls” world...kinda.

You know how when you’re a kid, you watch musicals that become core childhood memories? But then you grow up, revisit them, and think, “Holy smokes, who let me watch this as a kid?” That’s what this sketch is all about. A family goes out for an evening at a Broadway Benefit, which the mom remembers fondly from childhood. But once the performers get going, the dad starts questioning whether they should stay in the audience with their young daughter. The musical kicks off with some unsavory language and celebrates some choice vices. It’s definitely not kid-friendly, but the performers really sell it. Plus, their daughter becomes a musical theater fan, so everybody wins.

Don’t you just hate it when your Super Bowl halftime performers have to cancel because of a Polar Vortex? Thankfully, there are some Broadway performers waiting in the wings. This skit is an absolute gem! Taran Killam plays Peyton Manning, who, with help from Melissa McCarthy’s hysterical “womp womp” -ing Mama Pass, overcomes obstacles to win Super Bowl glory. The sincerity both Killam and McCarthy bring to their performance makes it all that much funnier. As if that’s not brilliant enough, enter Kenan Thompson as Peyton’s tap-dancing rival, Richard Sherman. Everyone brings their A-game, making this skit as hilarious as it is absurd. Talk about an excellent score!

John Mulaney has given us some of the best “SNL” musical parodies, from “Subway Churro” to “New York Musical” and “Bodega Bathroom.” But “Airport Sushi” might just be one of his best. In it, a traveler’s bad decision to buy airport sushi triggers a full-on Broadway medley about why that’s a terrible idea. Mulaney is joined by the Phantom of LaGuardia, the sushi chef, and others for this hilarious cautionary song. The sketch also introduces the usual characters you might meet on a flight, with a surprising cameo from Jake Gyllenhaal. The sketch nails the worst parts of air travel. Perhaps if people sang about those moments in real life, they might not feel quite so unbearable.

When Broadway hits a rough patch, some of its most iconic characters come together to brainstorm solutions. The meeting is led by the Phantom and Mark from “Rent,” with characters from “Cats,” “The Music Man,” “Wicked,” “Avenue Q,” “Chicago,” and more in attendance. While no one comes up with a solid plan, we love seeing so many of our Broadway favorites in one sketch. Taylor Swift as Annie steals the spotlight. Her part is brief but worthy of a standing ovation. We could spend 525,600 minutes rewatching this skit and still come back for more. It’s like a dream for Broadway fans—like the Michael Jordan of musical theater parodies.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Musical Promo”
A Cut for Time Sketch About Those Little Ditties We Sing When We’re Alone

“50s Romance”
Cecily Strong & Justin Bieber Lead a Bizarre “Grease” Parody, “Say More Stuff, Say More Stuff…”

Anne Hathaway’s “One Day More” Monologue
Giving Us Weekend Feels “Les Mis” Style

“Broadway Sizzle”
A Cable TV Show Where One of the Performers Just Can’t Seem to Find the Right Song to Sing

“High School Musical 4”
Did You Know the Real World Isn’t an All-Singing, All-Dancing Musical!?

Given its status today, it’s hard to believe it took “SNL” so long to greenlight this sketch. When it starts, who could’ve imagined that a guy ordering lobster at a diner would turn into a full-on “Les Mis” style musical? What makes this sketch so iconic is how every moment is a surprise. We never thought we’d see Thompson as lobster Jean Valjean or McKinnon as his offspring, Clawsette. Yet, it’s everything we didn’t know we needed. Then they bring out the barricades, and it feels like a surreal fever dream. PETA even gave it an Elly Award. We’d love to have been there when Mulaney pitched this idea. It's so simple yet so brilliant!

If there was a Tony Award category for “SNL” musical theater parodies, who would be your winner? Let us know in the comments!