Women’s History Month is an important celebration meant to showcase women’s contributions to society throughout history.

Many playwrights and musical composers have used their talent to tell the stories of strong, ambitious women, bringing awareness to the injustices women face in the presence of misogyny and patriarchy. Here are some plays and musicals that shed light on the lives of women, past and present.

“Little Women” by Kate Hamill

Adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel of the same name, “Little Women” follows the lives of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, as they grow up in the midst of the Civil War. Jo March has dreams of becoming an author, and she fights against the sexism she faces from the male publishers to achieve this dream. The sisters learn the power of being themselves, lifting each other up even when the odds are stacked against them.

“Suffs” by Shaina Taub

This musical follows the women’s suffrage movement in America, highlighting the lives of key women who led the fight for women’s rights. “Suffs” features an all-female cast, with even the male roles being played by women. This powerful musical applauds the women for their hard work and serves as a reminder of the struggles and misogyny women faced in the fight for suffrage.

“Legally Blonde” by Heather Hach

Based on the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, “Legally Blonde” follows the bubbly and naive Elle Woods, who decides to win her ex-boyfriend back by enrolling at Harvard Law School. However, her motives shift as her confidence in her own intelligence grows, leading her to dash everyone’s low expectations of her by excelling as a student and lawyer.

“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen

Set in Norway circa 1879, the play tells the story of Nora Helmer as her past lies begin to snowball. Nora had illegally taken out a bank loan under her father’s name the previous year, since women had no financial power at the time, in order to pay for her husband’s medical care after he fell sick.

Her crime and subsequent lies threaten to upend the perfect nineteenth century life she had cultivated, but the closer her perfect life comes to falling apart, the more she questions if it is a lifestyle worth saving. “A Doll’s House” is a compelling commentary on women’s rights and the injustice of a patriarchal society.

“& Juliet” by David West Read

This musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” rewrites the original play’s tragic ending. Instead of ending her life, Juliet chooses to live, learning her own self-worth and how to be happy without her Romeo. This feminist retelling features an upbeat jukebox soundtrack, merging modern music with a classic love story.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” by Rick Elise

This play is another retelling, this time about the classic tale of Peter Pan. Molly, a 13-year-old girl with dreams of being a Starcatcher, is tasked by her father on a special mission to deliver a trunk of precious cargo to the Queen; however, plans go awry when Captain Black Stache and his first mate Smee attempt to intercept the trunk. Caught between these absurd men and their attempts to foil her mission, Molly forms a plan to deliver the trunk and finally prove herself as a Starcatcher.

“Waitress” by Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson

Based on the 2007 film, “Waitress” follows Jenna as her life is turned upside down by an unplanned pregnancy. With an abusive husband at home, Jenna is swept away in an affair with her OBGYN Dr. Pottamer. Through this, Jenna learns her own self-worth and resolve to leave her husband and make a better life for her and her child. This heartwarming musical was produced by a female-led production team and features an emotionally moving soundtrack by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles.

“The Odd Couple (female version)” by Neil Simon

Roommates Florence Unger and Olive Madison are total opposites. Florence is a neat-freak with a penchant for propriety while Olive is a laid-back sportscaster and a bit of a slob. “The Odd Couple” is a hilarious play about the strife and misunderstandings that arise as a result of the two women’s differences, and it serves as an important representation of female friendship and connection.