As anybody can surely tell you, life sucks. We have crippling debt, stress from our family and jobs, and the 2016 United States election has the entire nation in a fritz right now. However, the great William Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage." How true. Before our life begins, it's like a nine month overture in our mothers' wombs. Suddenly, we burst forth with a show-stopping musical number. We have our tap dance routines, kick lines, and our duets. Oh,wait. That's just how I act in general. As Neil Patrick Harris said in his 2012 Tony Award opening number, "If life were more like theater, life wouldn't suck so much!"
If life for millennials were more like theater, perhaps we would find ourselves singing some of these show-stoppers.
1. "I Dreamed a Dream" - "Les Miserables"
I don't know about you but I don't relate that much with the starving French of the 1900s, but that may just be me. However, when it gets down to it, sometimes we reach our breaking point. Fantine has just lost her job and has now sold her hair, some teeth, a necklace, and her own body to support her illegitimate child. She is making the ultimate sacrifices and nobody cares in the slightest. Oh, not to mention, she's dying of tuberculosis.
We can relate to Fantine when it is our turn to have one of our famous mental breakdowns. We are at the point in our life when, let's face it, we have no clue what the hell is going on. We have all of our dreams shattering around us and are frantically trying to pick up the pieces.
2. "Defying Gravity" - "Wicked"
At the climax of act one in the spell-binding musical, "Wicked," Elpheba (the Wicked Witch of the West) has discovered the truth of the Wizard of Oz and refuses to go along with him, even if it means her being branded as wicked. In this number, Glinda the Good Witch tries to convince her not to challenge the status quo, but ultimately wishes Elphie luck as she enchants a broom and rises in a powerful manner.
Our age group is known by many of the older generations to be the one's that are trying to be more different. Our generation is more open with sexuality, tattoos, body modifications and more liberal ideas. If this is not going against the status quo, the I don't know what is. We are trusting our instincts and leaping into uncertainty but we are leaping full force and we shall fly.
3. "If I Were a Bell" - "Guys and Dolls"
At about the half way point in the show, Gambler Sky Masterson has taken "mission doll" Sarah Brown to Havana and is witness to her drunk on Dulce de Leches. A site to see from a missionary. She is drunk as a skunk as well as falling in love.
Picture your first college party. Which of course, I've never been to a college party. I always opt to go to bible study. (Hi Mom, sorry for this confession) We know that a "killer frat party" some interesting activities for those who are in attendance. While your first party may not be your first time intoxicated, it still is a memorable experience. I've seen people dance like a dying fish square dancing. Most of us have at least one story we will never forget, no matter how hard we try. At least for Sarah it all works out.
4. "You Don't Know" - "Next to Normal"
"Next to Normal" is a rock musical that focuses on a mother with mental illness that roots from the death of one of her children. In her afflicted states, she sees her late son. While the family is falling apart, the son asserts that he is in fact alive no matter what anyone else says. The personification of her illness is alive and well. The song "You don't know" is the mother lashing out how her husband doesn't understand her struggles.
5. "Freak Flag" - "Shrek the Musical"
As with the movie, Pinocchio hates the fact that he is not a real boy. He and the other fairytale creatures have been evicted from Duloc and forced to live in the swampy wilderness. In a moment of anger, Pinocchio screams that none of this would happen if he was a real boy. He gets a loud reminder that he is special the way he is and that he needs to let his "freak flag fly" and never let anybody take it down.
Honorable Mentions
"It's a Hard Knock Life" - "Annie"
Sometimes you just have a crappy life. Don't worry, though. The sun will come out tomorrow.
"Seasons of Love" - "Rent"
We have good and bad moments in our life. How else to measure them than with love?"One Normal Night" - "The Addams Family"
If you have ever invited someone over for dinner at your house, this song gets all too real for you.
"On My Own" - "Les Miserables"
Pretty self explanatory.
"My Unfortunate Erection" - "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"
Life has a crazy way of keeping your ego in check.
"Hasa Diga Ebowai" - "The Book of Mormon"
Hopefully you never get this drastic when you are down on your luck.
"Good Morning, Baltimore!" - "Hairspray"
That feeling when everything is going your way.
Finally, the most relatable show tune for millennials is:
"La Vie Boheme" - "Rent"
"Rent" focuses on the poorer inhabitants of New York as they struggle in their separate battles for fame, love, and acceptance all while under the shadow of HIV and AIDS. The song "La Vie Boheme" is a celebration of their "taboo" lifestyle and how they are happy and that is all that matters; as it should be!
As mentioned earlier, our generation is known for speaking our mind and not giving a damn about who hears it. It's who we are. Sorry, grandma! We are a taboo generation, a generation of new beginnings and immense change. We embrace that whole-heartedly!
Viva la vie boheme!
