WESTPORT — “They Made It a Musical!” a musical production exploring the roots of hit Broadway shows, will be staged July 18-20 at the Westport Country Playhouse.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 18-19, and at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the playhouse, 25 Powers Court.

To reserve tickets in advance online, click here.

“Together at the Table,” a communal dinner and conversation, is planned at 6:30 p.m. July 18 prior to the performance at 8 o’clock. Separate tickets are on sale for $15.

The show explores the ideas and origins for some of Broadway’s best-known shows, from “Romeo and Juliet” serving as inspiration for “West Side Story,” to Shaw’s “Pygmalion” setting the theme of “My Fair Lady,” according to publicity for the production.

Songs and background anecdotes also will be featured from shows like “Oklahoma!,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Annie,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Les Misérables,” “Hamilton” and others.

The concert is directed by Broadway historian Laurence Maslon, based on a concept developed with Mark Shanahan, the playhouse artistic director.

Maslon co-wrote two episodes of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series, “Broadway: The American Musical,” as well as its companion book. He also wrote a history of Broadway’s recorded music, “Broadway to Main Street: How Show Music Enchanted America,” and for Library of America, he edited “American Musicals (1927-1969).”

Maslon also.discussed “They Made It a Musical!” in his podcast, “Broadway to Main Street.”

For questions, the Westport Country Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177 or visit the theater’s website.