On the left-wing and counterculture side , the film included references to topical political matters like Kent State shootings , President Harry S. Truman 's decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki , Richard Nixon , the Vietnam war , and the civil rights movement . Precursors of this counterculture subversive humor in film were two non - " college movies " , '' M In 2012 Universal Pictures Stage Productions announced it was developing a stage musical version of the movie . Barenaked Ladies were originally announced to write the score , but they were replaced by composer David Yazbek . Casey Nicholaw will direct ; author Michael Mitnick is also reportedly involved
Kent State shootings
Kent State shootings
Animal House