As my sister puts it, I am a wannabe theatre kid. This is extremely true. However, I cannot sing, act, or dance well. So to soothe my troubles, I live vicariously through Broadway Musicals. These are my favorite musicals that I want to see on a Broadway stage.
1. Dear Evan Hansen
The title character, Evan Hansen, is a high school senior with a social anxiety disorder who finds himself amid the turmoil that follows a classmate's death. I want to see this show because first off, I love Ben Platt, who plays the title character. Next, I have been listening to the whole soundtrack on Spotify. Seriously, look it up, you will not be disappointed.
2. Kinky Boots
Charlie is a factory owner struggling to save his family business. Lola is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen. But in the end, their most sensational achievement is their friendship. The first reason I discovered this musical is that Brendon Urie from Panic! At The Disco was cast on Broadway as Charlie. Then I began to listen to the soundtrack and fall in love. I am super excited that my mom got me tickets for my birthday to see Kinky Boots when it comes to Detroit!
3. Hamilton
This is a sung-through musical about the life of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda.[1] The show, inspired by the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by historian Ron Chernow, achieved both critical acclaim and box office success. Everyone is obsessed with Hamilton. Being both a history and musical theatre buff, I was too obsessed. But of course, because everyone is so obsessed with Hamilton, people are essentially selling their first born to get tickets. So for now, I will just have to wait until Hamilton goes on tour and comes to Detroit.
4. Wicked
The musical is told from the perspective of the witches of the Land of Oz; its plot begins before and continues after Dorothy's arrival in Oz from Kansas, and it includes several references to the 1939 film and Baum's novel. Wicked tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (whose name later changes to Glinda the Good Witch), who struggle through opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace. I have seen Wicked with my sister and mom while it toured in Detroit but I know that there is no better experience than seeing it on a Broadway stage.
5. Jersey Boys
It is presented in a documentary-style format that dramatizes the formation, success and eventual break-up of the 1960s rock 'n roll group The Four Seasons. The musical is structured as four "seasons", each narrated by a different member of the band who gives his own perspective on its history and music. Songs include "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Sherry", "December 1963 (Oh, What A Night)", "My Eyes Adored You", "Stay", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You", "Working My Way Back to You" and "Rag Doll", among others. The title refers to the fact that the members of The Four Seasons are from New Jersey. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will always be one of my favorite vocal groups. I have seen this show on the stage in Detroit and I have seen the film adaptation of it but while it is one of my favorites, I want to see it on a Broadway Stage.
