Confession: I'm a huge musical theatre nerd. Whether it was running my school's Thespians Chapter, or even performing in shows, musicals have always been a part of my life. Still, whenever people think of musicals, they think either Hamilton, Les Mis, Wicked, Disney musicals, or Phantom.

While that's fine and dandy--and know that I adore those musicals!--there are tons of other musicals out there. For brevity's sake, I'll pick 5. So, here is my list of 5 musicals (out of many!) that deserve more love.

1. Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812

Now, I'll admit--my family is actually family friends with the composer! Dave Malloy's musical take on part of War & Peace is wonderful. With gorgeous lyrics and some inventive music, it's definitely worth a listen. It just opened up on Broadway recently, and I'm hoping it will be in the running for Tony awards this year.

The cast album also features Phillipa Soo pre-Hamilton, showing off her musical chops. One of the more famous songs from the show (and my personal favorite) is "No One Else". I get chills! (And I definitely want to sing it someday!)

Check out the album on iTunes and Spotify.

2. Allegiance

Remember how, during WWII, a large section of the USA's Japanese-American population was imprisoned in internment camps? The musical Allegiance is here to show everyone why it's a horrible idea to imprison an entire race or religion due to fear. (In case common sense and basic human decency wasn't enough.)

This musical follows the story of a Japanese-American family during the internment, who is forced to relocate from California to Wyoming, and is based on castmember George Takei's own experience living in an internment camp during the era.

I don't want to spoil, but let's just say that this is a musical that requires a box of tissues. It's heartrending, the music is beautiful, and the entire cast--which is mostly Asian-American--is incredibly talented! Lea Salonga (AKA "90% of the Disney Princesses' singing voices"), Telly Leung (AKA "Wes from Glee"), and George Takei (AKA "I don't even have to introduce him, he's George-freakin'-Takei) are some of the highlights from the cast, to give you an idea of the caliber of this show.

It's relevant, now more than ever. It isn't afraid to pull its punches, and is definitely moving. I'm still getting through it (I'll confess, I'm not done listening to it!), but it's wonderful, and I'll still recommend it.

Check it out on iTunes.

3. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

Okay, I know this musical is more well-known, but when people think Rodgers & Hammerstein, they think The Sound of Music. Which is also one of my faves, but c'mon. Cinderella is a gem. A lot of people I've talked to had no idea it existed, which is a shame! It's in my top 5 favorite musicals. Whether it's the Broadway version with Laura Osnes, the original with Julie Andrews, or my personal favorite, the 1997 version which is the most diverse film I've ever seen, with Brandy, Whitney Houston, and Whoopi Goldberg, I'd recommend it to everyone.

The music in this show is positively delightful! It's also family-friendly, which I'd say is a bonus. There are multiple versions of this one, but for the most part, they retain the same music. The 1997 version is where it's at, but that's just me. Anyway, if you have an hour and a half, treat yourself. You deserve to be happy. Watch Cinderella.

Find the Broadway version on iTunes, and on Spotify. (I can't find the 1997 version, sadly.)

4. Notre Dame de Paris

Was the Disney version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame ever lacking for you? Ever want the uncensored, unfiltered, sad-as-heck original plot? Well, this (really famous worldwide but barely-known in the USA) version of the story, Notre Dame de Paris, is for you! Following the original book by Victor Hugo, this musical is far bleaker and more mature. While I'm a student of French, and understand a solid 90% of the lyrics without subtitles, even if you don't speak French, it's so gorgeous. Seriously, listen to it.

There is an English version, which is all right, but... The translation, in my opinion, is nothing compared to the original. The only time I've heard it in the United States, besides during French classes in middle school, was while browsing Barnes & Noble this summer, listening to Josh Groban's cover of Les Temps Des Cathedrales. It came up on the in-store stereo, and I gasped. Still, it's a gorgeous show.

This musical is also wonderful, and I'd say it definitely deserves more love among American musical fans. Give it, along with the Little Prince musical by the same composer, a listen. Here's the album for Notre Dame de Paris on iTunes.

5. The Producers (2005)

All right, let's be honest here. This one is also more well-known... Mainly for the bombastic "Springtime for Hitler" number. But, have you listened to the rest? No? Well, you're in for a treat. Mel Brooks' hilarious musical about a Broadway producer and his mousy accountant is a classic.

Max is a Broadway producer down on his luck. Leo is an accountant who wants to be a producer. After Leo does Max's finances, he finds out that they can profit more from a failure than a smash-hit... Well, if they illegally raise more funds than are needed. They've got the worst director in the area, a mismatched cast, and most of all, the most offensive musical they could possibly find, "Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Eva and Adolf at Berchtesgaden". What can go wrong?

Crass, offensive, witty, and also catchy as heck, The Producers is wonderful. It's definitely not for everyone, but it's my guilty pleasure musical and makes me laugh incredibly hard every time I listen! Go and watch it, or find the album here or here.

Anyway, if you have musical recommendations, send them my way! I'd be glad to listen. I hope you enjoyed my list!