If you're anything like my roommate, the wonderful theatre tech major that is forced to live with the insanity of a musical theatre major, or even if you're just a person who doesn't get Broadway, the mysterious realm of the music of Broadway may just not appeal to you. Look, I get it, Musical Theatre just isn't your thing. I completely understand. As someone who constantly has to study musical theatre, it is super easy to need a break from it, at the very least. However, musical theatre is one of the last forms of true Americana. Not to get too didactic about this, but the integrated form of musical theatre we know today (where music moves forth the story) is truly a creation of American theatre. It is a form that has now been used around the world, but has its true roots in the United States, beginning with the Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical Show Boat in 1927, right up to current Broadway hits. Musical theatre, especially in the last five years, has become incredibly diverse in musical styling, to the point where some musicals don't even sound like musicals. So, I present to you, Ten Musical Theatre Albums to Listen to If You Don't Like Musicals: (I've also included my favorite song and lyric from each show, though to be clear, my favorite lyrics aren't always from my favorite song in the show).

1. Hamilton: I know you've heard of this show. Honestly, if not, how? I envy you your ability to ignore pop culture and want in on your secret. Hamilton is a hip-hop musical about one of our founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, our nation's first Treasurer. Sounds like a natural fit for a musical, right? While the premise may seem strange, the brilliant Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning writer/performer Lin Manuel-Miranda seamlessly moves between contemporary styles of music (namely hip-hop, rap, and R&B) to tell this story, even using Top 40 artists as inspiration when creating particular musical styles for different characters in the show (for instance, George Washington's musicality is inspired by John Legend, the Schuyler Sisters by Destiny's Child). Unlike 1776 (a late '60s musical about the writing of the Declaration of Independence; a musical I adore, by the way), this musical is so modern that you'll think you're listening to a Top 40 compilation without realizing you're learning a crap ton about the founding of our nation.

* Favorite Song- "Non-Stop" and Favorite Lyric- "I'm not falling behind or running late; I'm not standing still I am lying in wait." - Aaron Burr (from the song "Wait for It") *

2. Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812: Based on a 90-page section of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace", this musical actually doesn't premiere on Broadway until later this year, but has already garnered a great deal of praise for its incredible storytelling, fascinating music, and beautiful staging. This musical uses electro-pop music by Dave Molloy to tell a very complex Russian story...and it works. If you're worried you might get lost since you've never read the book, the opening number takes you through all of it, introducing every character and most of the plot points before they even delve into the story. It's insanely brilliant, very steampunky-y, and I cannot wait for it to open on Broadway. Also, Josh Groban is making his Broadway debut playing Pierre, so that's a plus. Honestly, it's so quirky that you'll lose track of how many songs you've listened to because you're enjoying it so much.

*Favorite Song- "Prologue" Favorite Lyric- "I feel like putting my arms round my knees and squeezing tight as possible and flying away." - Natasha Rostova (from the song "No One Else")*

3. The Lion: This musical/play with music gem is a one man show created by actor/songwriter/playwright/musician Benjamin Scheuer. It tells his life story, from his relationships with his family to his own diagnosis with, and successful treatment for, stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma. Scheuer's voice is, both in writing and performance, original, folksy, and he is as charismatic in recording as he is on stage. This is a musical that feels like an intimate concert with a member of Mumford and Sons. It is a true jewel.

*Favorite Song- "Weather the Storm" and Favorite Lyric- "Inside my gentle paws, I've got some devastating claws and I'm learning what it means to really roar." (from the song, "The Lion")*

4. Once : Based on the 2006 film, this musical is set in an Irish pub. It is about how music can change your life, both personally and with other people. Having actually seen this musical in person, I can tell you that it truly feels like you're just watching some amazing musicians live in an Irish pub. The entire cast plays instruments, sings, and acts, and do it very well. Listening to this album really feels like listening to an open mic night in a pub and will truly break your heart by the end.

*Favorite Song- "If You Want Me" and Favorite Lyric- "And I love her so. I wouldn't trade her for gold." - Guy (from the song "Gold")*

5. Mamma Mia! : This is a bit of a cheat on my part, see Mamma Mia! is what is known as a 'jukebox musical', or a musical that uses the music of one artist to create a story line, usually quite minimal. So, basically, this is an ABBA playlist with a story, but you know what? This is a massive '70s jam session and I love it. It's just a bunch of great ABBA songs sung really well with a love story. It's campy, it's funny, and, if you like ABBA, you'll love this album.

*Favorite Song- "Name of the Game" and Favorite Lyric- "Now I really know- my, my- I could not have let you go." - Donna (from the song "Mamma Mia")*

6. Hedwig and the Angry Inch : This is an incredible story about an East German singer named Hedwig, who identifies as genderqueer, adopting a female persona after a botched sex change operation. That's a lot of plot, but the rock and roll score is to die for. It really just feels like you're listening to a really cool band.

*Favorite Song: "Sugar Daddy" and Favorite Lyric: "So they could watch all around them as they talked while they read and they never knew nothing of love." (from the song "The Origin of Love")*

7. The Lion King: Okay, so this is also kind of a cheat on my part, but Disney's popularity and international mass appeal are only a tiny fraction of what makes this musical amazing. That's right, if you didn't know, the second musical from Disney Theatricals is a damn masterpiece from the mind of Julie Taymor. Using traditional African styles within the design elements of the show, as well as the use of some incredible puppetry, and adding some beautiful choral music by Lebo M to amp up the atmosphere, this classic Disney film gets an upgrade on the stage and the album is no exception.

*Favorite Song: "The Lioness Hunt" and Favorite Lyric: "In your reflection, he lives in you." - Rafiki (from the song "He Lives in You")*

8. Songs for a New World: Jason Robert Brown is a musical mastermind, with music so complex that, as an acting student, I've been warned by many a professor to not bring one his songs for auditions. However, this song cycle, which is connected by the theme of "the moment of decision", is neither musical or revue with only four actors and very little plot at all. Ignoring that vague description, the music is incredibly awesome, living somewhere between '90s rock and musical theatre. Listen and love it.

*Favorite Song: "The River Won't Flow" and Favorite Lyric: "There were oceans to cross, there were mountains to conquer and I stood on the shore and I stood on the cliff and the second before I jumped I knew where I needed to be." - Woman 1 and Man 1 (from the song "I'd Give it All for You")*

9. Waitress: This country and pop influenced tuner earned songstress Sara Bareilles a Tony Award nomination for Best Score earlier this year. This is possibly the most 'musical theatre-y' option I've put on here, as most of the songs follow a plot line. However, Bareilles' witty lyrics make this music incredible and super fun. This musical is also about female empowerment, women getting out of terrible situations and making their own decisions. It's pretty inspiring and, trust me, you will adore this album!

*Favorite Song: "Opening Up" and Favorite Lyrics: "To fight just a little and bring back the fire in her eyes that is gone, but used to be mine." (from the song "She Used to Be Mine")*

10. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson: Okay, so this one is a little highbrow...and a little lowbrow at the same time. Under the premise that Andrew Jackson is a sort of bad boy/rockstar, this musical tells the story of his presidency. It's bawdy, darkly comic, loud, and it's really damn good. The music is both hilarious, folksy, and rock. This is definitely one of the more interesting choices on this list, but I think you'll like it.

*Favorite Song: "Rock Star" and Favorite Lyric: "Oh, I'll keep on going." (from "Public Life")*