Broadway is a great place for a group of people to form into a community surrounding one stage. That being said, musicals are a unique experience that draw emotions that are easy to ignore in every day life. They make you stop and think about the world around you.

Here are a list of my personal favorites that really get me thinking:

1. RENT - 1996

Rent surrounds eight individuals all connected in some way during the 1980s in New York City. Personally my favorite musical, it deals with the hardships of being poor, being in love, and dealing with death. No day but today!

2. Hedwig And The Angry Inch - 1998

Although it's a rock musical (please don't get turned off), this show is absolutely mind-blowing. Hewdig is an extremely complex character that tells her own version of her story throughout, dealing with relationships, unrequited love, and the meaning of talent.

3. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - 1961

Although comedic and silly, this musical tells the story of a window-washing nobody who works his way to the top of a company in New York simply from a book. The show follows J. Pierrepont Finch trying to find his place among the business world of professionals.

4. Next to Normal - 2008

Another rock musical, Next to Normal deals with family issues such as drug abuse, relationships, and grieving as well as questioning the ethics of modern psychiatry. It's seriously thought-provoking.

5. Hamilton - 2015

Hamilton follows the life of Alexander Hamilton (duh), one of the Founding Fathers of America. I don't want to give too much away, but laughing and excessive crying are involved.