15 Broadway Musicals That Everyone Should Know About
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15 Broadway Musicals That Everyone Should Know About

There are so many musicals to choose from, but which 15 do I think that everyone needs to know about?

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15 Broadway Musicals That Everyone Should Know About
Benedicts Bus

Every person who is involved in musical theater knows that there are shows that you love and shows that you hate for various reasons. For instance, I have a strong dislike for "Annie." Now, my hate for "Annie" isn't because the show is awful. Don't get me wrong, "Annie" is an amazing show, but when you have performed in it four different times over the course of three years, it tends to get on your nerves.

That being said, many people who don't actually perform in shows tend to lean towards popular titles to claim as their "favorites," such as "The Lion King," "Wicked," and "Annie." All of these are fantastic shows, but they are extremely mainstream and tend to overshadow other great shows.

Following are a few of my favorite songs/shows that may or may not be well known. There is no order to these and, personally, I don't have an absolute favorite show.


1. "Mamma Mia"

I mean, a musical that's based on the music of a Swedish pop band could only be great. "Mamma Mia" has to be one of my favorite shows purely for the music and the wacky storyline that it helps to create. The writers adapted the music of ABBA to fit the story that they created perfectly.

Favorite song: "Under Attack" (It's not in the movie, so you will have to go and see it live.)


2. "Seussical: The Musical"

"Seussical" is another example of a great musical that has been adapted from a different type of entertainment. In this case, it's the books by the great Dr. Suess. "Suessical" combines various different stories from "The Cat in the Hat" to "Horton Hears a Who."

Favorite song: "Oh, The Thinks You Can Think"


3. "Legally Blonde: The Musical"

This show single-handedly influenced my decision to attend law school. OK, that sounds bad. My decision wasn't solely based on this show, but it was a big influence on my decision. I mean, if Elle Woods, a fashion merchandising major, can get into Harvard Law School, I think that I can too.

Favorite song: "What You Want"


4. "The Last Five Years"

It's an ode to every relationship. This show basically has a main cast of two people who are recollecting their relationship, one starting from the beginning and the other starting at the end. This show makes you never want to be in a relationship and, at the same time, it makes you want to dive into one.

Favorite song: "I Can Do Better Than That"


5. "Heathers: The Musical"

What more can you ask for than a musical that's based on the original "Mean Girls?" Heathers is the epitome of teen angst and love that you hope you see in every musical that's based on teenagers. Another thing that makes this show great is its use of pop music, which is now used a great deal more often in many modern musicals.

Favorite song: "Candy Store"


6. "Hamilton"

Hamilton is an American musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and it is based on the life and story of one of the founding fathers: Alexander Hamilton. Miranda took the story of Hamilton and set it to a hip-hop tone. The whole broadway community was abuzz when this show opened and it is currently sold out through August. Although I haven't seen the show yet, I have listened to the soundtrack enough that could probably reenact the whole show.

Favorite song: "The Room Where It Happened"


7. "Spring Awakening"

"Spring Awakening" is based on a German play from the 1800s and if that doesn't sound exciting, then I don't know what else is. The show is set in the late 19th-century and it is clear through the way that the actors speak and dress, however, the music has more of an alternative rock feel to it that shows that they are, in fact, teenagers. The musical centers around a group of teenagers and it shows them growing into and exploring their sexualities.

Favorite song: "Mama Who Bore Me"


8. "The Addams Family"

"The Addams Family" is based on the famous family that we all have come to know through its movie, TV show, and comics. The musical centers mostly around the daughter of the family, Wednesday, as she navigates her way through the thing that we call love. "The Addams Family" has some of the catchiest songs on broadway and it is one of my favorites to watch over and over.

Favorite song: "Pulled"


My list goes on and on and I could write for hours about each show that I know and love, but I will spare you that and just give you a list of shows that I love and songs from each show that I love.


9. Hairspray

Favorite song: "Cooties"


10. The Book of Mormon

Favorite song: "Tomorrow Is A Latter Day"


11. "Hedwig and the Angry Inch"

Favorite song: "Sugar Daddy"


12. "Fun Home"

Favorite song: "Ring of Keys"


13. "Anything Goes"

Favorite song: "Anything Goes"


14. "West Side Story"

Favorite song: "America"


15. "Chicago"

Favorite song: "Cell Block Tango"


There are so many more options to mention, but to do so would take me hours write and you hours to read. Feel free to share some of your favorites with me and let me know what you think about my picks.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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