Showtunes is the result of collaboration between Stephin Merritt with Chen Shi-zheng on three pieces of musical theatre; Orphan of Zhao (2003), Peach Blossom Fan (2004), and My Life as a Fairy Tale (2005).

Select tracks from these are featured on this album.

It was released on Nonesuch Records on March 16, 2006 but was available from peer-to-peer networks from February 20, 2006.

The remainder of songs from the shows were released exclusively through online music stores.

The album received generally favorable reviews from critics; on Metacritic, it has a score of 69 out of 100.