Not all Broadway musicals the credit they deserve, and some great musicals aren't well known because they haven't been made into a movie. So if anyone is searching for a good musical to listen to here is my top ten underrated musicals:
#10. School of Rock
I'm not exactly Andrew Lloyd Webber's biggest fan, but I enjoy this musical. It's a fun rock musical based on the 2003 movie starring Jack Black. It does a good job of showing how important music is to kids and how it gives them a voice they didn't know they had.
Best song: "You're in the Band"
#9 Legally Blonde
Elle Woods is everyone's favorite blonde and she's even better in musical form. This musical has killer dance numbers, top notch vocals, and it's has a great message about girls power!
Best Song: "Bend and Snap"
#8 Hamilton
This musical is so high up on the list because it's really underrated. It swept the Tony's this year and it's critically acclaimed. However, I consider it underrated because if you walked up to an average person on the street and asked what their favorite musical was they would probably say "Phantom of the Opera". Not to bash Andrew Lloyd Webber after I just praised him, but there are better musicals than "Phantom of the Opera" and this is definitely one! Everyone needs to listen to this musical because it is a revolutionary musical.
Best Song: "My Shot"
#7 The Addams Family
This musical obviously based on the classic TV show, and it transitions to the stage perfectly. It's a quirky and creepy love story that is set to a modern original score. It would also be the perfect musical to you get in the spirit of Halloween.
Best Song: "Pulled"
#6 In the Heights
It may be questionable if Hamilton is underrated, but this Lin-Manuel Miranda musical is definitely underrated. Lin-Manuel Miranda is probably the greatest composer and writer of this time, and when he didn't have a part to play because he was Puerto Rican, he wrote In the Heights. It's about a community in Washington Heights going through struggles, finding love, and winning the lottery.
Best Song: "In the Heights"
#5 She Loves Me
Best Song: "She Loves Me"
#4 Next To Normal
This musical is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. It takes on the topic of mental health issues and the effect it has on families. It's a rock musical with an all-star cast, but I only recommend this if you are ready to cry.
Best Song: "I'm Alive"
#3 Bring It On
This musical is only loosely based on the popular movie, but I think the storyline is better. It's the perfect combination of stunts, dancing, and vocals. It's also an inspiring story of everyone of every class and race together. This music never gets old, and it was co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda which doesn't hurt.
Best Song: "Do Your Own Thing"
#2 Finding Neverland
This is easily my second favorite musical of all time! Finding Neverland is a modern musical, but the story line and the music give it a classic feeling. It's based on the movie about the play writer J.M. Barrie and his inspiration for writing "Peter Pan". It's a beautiful story of a family who needs to learn about the magic in imagination so they can escape the heartbreaking loss they have had in their life.
Best Song: "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground"#1 NEWSIES!!!
Without a doubt, Newsies is my all time favorite musical. It has all the great qualities of every musical on this list, and it never gets the love it deserves! I could write a novel about why I love the Newsies story line, but instead, I will just say I recommend everyone listen to this musical!
Best Songs: "Watch What Happens", "The World Will Know", "Seize The Day", "Santa Fe", "King of New York", "Brooklyn's Here", "Once and For All"
