10 Musical Recommendations
Filling your creative well is vital for all authors. But don't only take inspiration from books. There's loads of other mediums, obvious ones being movies and TV shows.
Last month, we discussed ten webcomic recommendations. This month, it's musicals. And boy do I love musicals. The ones on this list are my top ten favourite musicals, in no particular order.
Let's get to!
Disclaimer: The images are not my own or stock images. Most of the descriptions are summarised from stageagent.com.
Genre: Hip hop, historical
1. Hamilton
Content notice: Mature themes
Description: It's the story of the forgotten Founding Father of America, Alexander Hamilton. It's his journey to power in the setting of the American War of Independence. Filled with gags, total bops and an emotional dump truck, Hamilton is non-stop.
That's right, we're kicking off with arguably the most popular musical for our generation. This has taken the musical theatre world by storm, and it's spreading. It's sung all the way through, but you'll enjoy the musical intricacy and style. You can find a live recording on Disney+.
2. Dear Evan Hansen
Genre: Pop-rock, drama
Content notice: Sensitive topics
Description: When a classmate commits suicide, Evan, a loner with social anxiety, finds himself in the centre of the Murphy family's turmoil. He fabricates a story in a misguided attempt to help the Murphy's overcome their grief -- and get his dream girl. As Evan becomes more and more drawn into the social higher ups, he has to make a choice between telling the truth and giving up everything he has wanted, or keep lying.
This is a rabbit hole built upon a rabbit built upon a rabbit hole. It has a remarkable representation of mental illness and a surprisingly satisfying ending. It has a strange sense of humour, which was...funny. *smirks* The music is catchy. I can't count the times I've listened to the soundtrack on repeat.
3. Les Miserables
Genre: Musical theatre, classic historical
Description: Jean Valjean, a former criminal seeking redemption, is on the run from Javert, a dutiful police officer, against the French Revolution and protecting his adopted daughter, Cosette. His run brings him into Paris and the barricades of the Student Revolution. As ghosts from his past catch up to him and his daughter finds her own life, can he find love?
Les Mis is a classic. You can't not watch it. Even if you don't like it, it's part of your culture. Watch the actual musical if you can. Or the 25th anniversary concert. And watch the second half of the movie.
4. Anastasia
Genre: Disney, historical
Description: What happened to the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov? Anya, an amnesiac orphan, is stranded in St Petersburg during the Bolshevik Revolution. On a journey to the past, Anya joins conmen Dmitry and Vlad Popov to Paris, where each hopes to find their freedom and fortune by confusing the Dowager Empress Marie that Anya is the lost princess. They race across the border as a Soviet officer bites their heels.
A lesser known musical that was only two years running, Anastasia has a special place in my heart. I remember watching the movie as a little girl and being terrified of Rasputin. But Gleb was a good substitute. I love the whole original Broadway cast. They're all perfect for their roles.
5. Jekyll and Hyde
Genre: Pop-rock, gothic thriller
Description: In an attempt to save his father's life and separate good from evil, Dr Jekyll unintentionally creates a purely evil persona, Mr Hyde, and unleashes a rage of murders against the miserable hypocrites of London. Emma, Jekyll's fiance, grows increasingly concerned over his life, while Lucy, a street girl, finds herself involved in the affairs of both Jekyll and Hyde. Jekyll must find a cure before Hyde takes over and tragedy strikes.
I can't explain why I love this musical. I just do. This soundtrack is among the top five from the musicals in this list. The characters are nuanced, the plot is fascinating, and the music is gold.
6. Six the Musical
.jpg)
Genre: Pop, concert historical
Content notice: Mature themes
Description: Six is a modern retelling of the six ex-wives of Henry the 8th: Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr. They have come together to compete for the ultimate crown: who is the most important queen? Each believes they have suffered the most from Henry, so they should be the winner, the lead singer. But they begin to realise their worth is more than one man.
History and pop. It's the best romance you can write. It's a fresh perspective on a well known figure -- his queens turned diva. The music is almost impossible to get out of your head. The banter is amazing. The characters have distinct personalities that burst in your face. I kind of cheated with this one. It's more of a concert than a musical. But hey, it's that good.
7. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Genre: Musical theatre, classic historical
Content notice: Mature themes
Description: Quasimode, the hunchback bell ringer of Notre Dame, longs for the outside world. At the Feast of Fools, he meets gypsy Esmeralda, and falls in love when she protects him from an angry mob. But Dom Claude Frollo, archdeacon and Quasi's father, and Phoebus de Martin, captain of the guard, are also after Esmeralda's love. Rejected, Frollo plans to bring all gypsies to justice. Quasi must be willing to sacrifice all to save them -- and Esmeralda.
It's based on the book by Victor Hugo, the same author of Les Miserables. While it didn't make it to Broadway, the cast is strong. Their voices are strong, the music is fantastic and the plot is, well, it's Victor Hugo.
8. Little Women
Genre: Musical theatre, historical
Description: Romantic Meg, spirited Jo, sweet Beth and ambitious Amy find struggle, hope and heartbreak as they survive the household field of the American Civil War. Each wants to find their own paths in life and fight to get it.
You should know this story. While the musical isn't as popular as the others, and the music isn't the most intricate, it's a good one for authors to watch. This successfully made me cry at *spoilers* Beth's death *end spoilers* in a way text could not. Music is powerful, authors.
9. West Side Story
Genre: Musical theatre, romance drama
Content notice: Mature themes
Description: Tony and Maria, the West Side's Romeo and Juliet, find themselves in opposing gangs. Tony is with the white Jets, while Maria is with the Puerto Rican Sharks. Despite ancient grudges, they find their way to each other. But heartbreak is around the corner, bringing the rumbles and romance to a bloody end.
It's Romeo and Juliet, but in American gangs. It's a classic. The plot, characters and music are intertwined in ways we word dabblers should learn from. Also, finger snapping and t-posing with friends for the win.
10. Aladdin
Genre: Disney, fantasy
Description: Aladdin, a street urchin, saves Jasmine, the princess of Agrabah, and they fall in love with each other. However, Aladdin's crush seems out of his league until he finds a magical lamp and meets the wisecracking Genie. Aladdin, Genie and his friends must stop Jafar, the visier, from taking over Jasmine's kingdom.
It's a Disney musical turned stage musical. It's the first musical I really got into, and it's a good starting point. The added numbers are by the legend himself, Alan Menken. The adaptation is solid, and adds depth to the characters in ways the movie wasn't able to.
~
Have you watched any of these musicals? What did you think of them? Do you have favourites that aren't on this list? Leave a comment below!
Until next week, happy authoring!
Related Posts:
Comments
Post a Comment