When it comes to live entertainment nothing beats musical theater. Musical theater touches the heart and soul. The best thing is musical theater has a great range from the Gothic styles musicals to feel good musicals. These are the Broadway Musicals that you need to see before it is too late. In this list I have provided the title of the musical, a brief explanation of the play, and a link to a song from the musical. I highly encourage you to listen to the whole soundtrack of each of these musicals if you have free time.

1. Wicked

Wicked is based off of the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. This musical not only tells the untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West but follows the story of two unlikely friends. The story follows Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, and Galinda, who changes her name and is known as Glinda the Good Witch, and their struggles from when they attended Shiz University to meeting the Wizard of Oz to adulthood. This musical allows the audience to take a moment and think about what causes a person to be mean and cruel. The soundtrack has a great diversity in the emotions from the actors. One of the most well-known songs from the soundtrack is "Defying Gravity". This is the most dramatic part of the musical and the best version of the song is the song by Idina Menzel the original Elphaba.

2. Dear Evan Henson

One of the newest Broadway shows on the list. This musical will touch everyones heart. Dear Evan Hansen focuses on the title character, Evan Hansen. He is a high school senior with a social anxiety disorder who finds himself amid the turmoil that follows a classmate's suicide. This musical is on the list because of how realistic the dilemma of these characters are and how many people can relate to the play. If you do attend this musical have a box of tissues on standby because the music is known to make people cry. One of the happier songs on the soundtrack is "Sincerely Me". The musical has received critical acclaim for Ben Plat's performance as Evan Hansen.

3. Jekyll and Hyde

Jekyll and Hyde is loosely based on the novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This musical is based in Victorian England and follows the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll and the aftermath of an experiment that releases his evil personality of Edward Hyde into reality. This gothic thriller is a great musical to see and allows the audience to experience the duality of human nature. Be prepared, this musical is one of the few musicals where all the dialogues are in song form. My favorite song from this musical is "Confrontation" where Jekyll and Hyde are battling for supremacy.

4. Hamilton

Hamilton is about one of America's Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton. This musical has taken Broadway by storm and is the foundation for the next generation of Broadway shows. This musical was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and it tells America's history with today's America. To clarify what I mean by this sentence, I mean that many of the roles of the main cast are played by minorities in American culture. This musical uses rap and hip-hop styles and this blend is refreshing and brings in a younger generation to Broadway. This is another show where all the lines are actually lyrics to the songs. A great song from the soundtrack is "My Shot". I will say if you are able to get tickets to this show you better not throw away your shot at seeing this show.

5. The Lion King

Based on the Disney movie of the same name, The Lion King follows the story of Simba the Lion and his journey. The musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. In September 2014, The Lion King became the top-earning title in box-office history for both stage productions and films, surpassing the record previously held by The Phantom of the Opera. When you watch the performance you will forget you are watching humans in costumes and believe that these are actual animals. This musical has songs from the movie as well as some original songs as well. One of the original songs from musical is "Endless Night", this is a very emotional song and one of my personal favorites.

6. Cabaret

Set in 1931, in Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, Cabaret it is based on nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub, and revolves around young American writer Cliff Bradshaw and his relationship with 32-year-old English cabaret performer Sally Bowles. The musical has been changed from a dramatic play preceded by a prologue of songs describing the Berlin atmosphere from various points of view to a more of a traditional musical. Cabaret is a musical that allows the audiences to see the struggles of not only the artist, but it serves as a metaphor for how the Jewish population was persecuted as the Nazis rose to power. One song from the soundtrack is called "Money".

7. Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys follows the rise and fall of Franki Valli and the Four Season. The musical is presented as a documentary of the 1960's rock 'n roll group. Each of the members of the band give their perspective on their history and music. All the songs of the musical are actual songs that the band either wrote or performed. Although the language is strong at certain parts, it is a musical treat for old souls and a great musical to bring your family. This musical will make you a fan of Frankie Valli and the Four Season. One song from the soundtrack that you may have heard of is "Can't Take my Eyes Off You".

8. Heathers the Musical

Heathers the Musical is based on the 1988 cult film Heathers. The show, while a comedy, deals with issues of teen suicide, murder, bullying, homophobia, and gun violence. This show has been gaining popularity on various social media since it tackles these controversial topics. The musical follows the story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High: the Heathers. But before she can get comfortable atop the high school food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid JD. When Heather Chandler, the Almighty, kicks her out of the group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized ass... but JD has another plan for that bullet. A great song from this musical is "Candy Store" sung by Heather Chandler.

9. Next to Normal

Next to Normal is a rock musical and the story is about a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that her illness has on her family. However, it also about her husband struggling to maintain their marriage and their daughter who is also experiencing a bipolar disorder as well.The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and the underbelly of suburban life. This is another musical that will tug at one's heartstrings. A song that helps capture this story of the musical is "Who's Crazy/My Psychopharmacologist and I".

10. The Phantom of the Opera

When many people are askekd to name a Broadway musical, odds are their first response will be Phantom of the Opera. Phantom of the Opera is one of the most well-known musicals to date. These musical songs were composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and focus on a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the subterranean labyrinth beneath the Palais Garnier. The musical is amazing and it is the longest-running Broadway musical. One of the most well-known songs from this musical is "Phantom of the Opera."