My mom tells me that when I was a toddler I asked to sing my arias (opera influence from my Grandpa, that lasts to today) so obviously I was just born to love performing. : ) Growing up I took piano lessons, dance lessons, singing lessons, acting classes and was fortunate to have a great drama department at my elementary school! I have been so blessed to be involved in so many productions, theaters, positions/parts and other theater experiences. Fortunately my parents love musicals too, so I have seen productions of plays and musical from here to England! (Undying thanks to them for that!)
So, with that said, I have decided to share my............
TOP 20 MUSICALS
In ascending order...
20. The Sound of Music: By the end of the list you may notice that this is the only Rogers and Hammerstein musical (and pretty much the only traditional musical) on my list. I tend to dislike most classic old time musicals due to the lack of intricate plot and over-emphasis on musical and dance numbers as productions within themselves.
19. Guys and Dolls: This was my first show at Assumption St. Bridget School. I like the weaving of musical numbers with the plot and over-exaggeration of EVERY character.
18. The Lion King: "WOW", says any audience member after the opening number in this show! Quite a spectacular show, but with any Disney show, a little "cheesetastic".
17. Seussical: The Musical: One of my favorite shows (for both the show and specific production) I have done. This show gets a pretty bad rep from the critics, but I think it is sweet.
16. Cabaret: One word: LIZA.
15. Bye Bye Birdie: I fell in love with the movie version of this show starring Dick Van Dyke and Ann Margret. Probably the fluffiest musical on my list, but the music is pretty catchy!
14. Sweeney Todd: Sondheim+creepy+Angela Lansbury=magic
13. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: I am a Weber fan, so naturally I like his weird twist on this Biblical story. Best Narrator part in any show I know.
12. Aida: This Elton John/Tim Rice show is quite moving but with funding from Disney, the cheese spills through in lyrics like, "Re: another pyramid", "Re:"??? But nonetheless, the dramatic, soul-moving music can overshadow the bad writing.
11. Beauty and the Beast: Pretty funny that I have another Disney show, but this classic tale accompanied with Ashman/Menken music is to die for.
10. A Chorus Line: So genius to have a show...about audition for a show! This show rings so true to life and the struggle of even getting in the chorus of a Broadway show...
9. Les Miserables: I think the key to really understanding a musical, is to listen to the music before seeing the show. I came to know this soundtrack inside and out before I had to opportunity of seeing it in London. Although I could have followed and enjoyed the show going into it blind, I could relish in the music and plot simultaneously without having to focus on the lyrics.
8. Little Shop of Horrors: This is another musical that I first experienced on film. The raw realities expressed in this outrageous show creates the perfect combination of comedy and examination of true feelings.
7. Meet Me in St. Louis: Another film musical, starring the one and only Judy Garland! This is the quint-essential musical, for me. I love watching it with my Mom and laughing at Tootie!
6. Chicago: Along with #7, I feel that Chicago is a show that takes the focus of classical musicals (intricate dance and musical instrumental numbers) to really compliment the plot, instead of distracting from it. Good movie, too!
5. RENT: This show was not only dramatic in my life, but for the musical world in general. Jonathan Larson took a classic story (La Boheme), modernized it and accompanied his story with rock music. So inspiring and moving.
4. Into the Woods: I suppose my biggest claim to fame in my life, is playing the lead of the Baker's Wife...in eighth grade. haha : ) I love the charm of this show, the cleverness of Sondheim on almost every level and enthralling music!! I love how this show gives the audience a glimpse into the world after happily ever after.
3. Peter Pan: Mary Martin's Peter Pan from 1954 is a MUST SEE for every musical enthusiast. This is a vastly under-appreciated show with wonderfully sweet music and once again a spectacular view of a classic tale.
2. The Phantom of the Opera: To this day, the best musical experience of my life, was seeing The Phantom of the Opera for the first time in London. From the first note, Weber captivates the audience with his spectacularly dramatic music. My favorite musical scene of all time is when the Phantom appears slowly in the chandelier after hearing Christine profess her love to Raoul. The sadness in his voice pulls so hard at my heart strings, no matter if he is a monster or not.
And last, but absolutely the opposite of least, my NUMBER ONE MUSICAL OF ALL TIME...
1. WICKED! As someone who has grown up loving everything Wizard of Oz, Gregory Maguire captured my heart with his twist on this story from the Wicked Witch of the West's point of view. Elphaba (the WWW) is my all time dream role! This great story with Stephen Schwartz's score is the best musical experience around! If you ever have the opportunity to read the book, see the musical or even hear the music...DO IT! Words cannot express the enchantment of this show.
Well, thank you for reading this loooong post about the love of my life, MUSICALS! I am planning on getting back into the theater life with some auditions at Seattle Musical Theater, but before that I need to get my chops back in shape! Stay tuned for my progress!
20. The Sound of Music: By the end of the list you may notice that this is the only Rogers and Hammerstein musical (and pretty much the only traditional musical) on my list. I tend to dislike most classic old time musicals due to the lack of intricate plot and over-emphasis on musical and dance numbers as productions within themselves.
19. Guys and Dolls: This was my first show at Assumption St. Bridget School. I like the weaving of musical numbers with the plot and over-exaggeration of EVERY character.
18. The Lion King: "WOW", says any audience member after the opening number in this show! Quite a spectacular show, but with any Disney show, a little "cheesetastic".
17. Seussical: The Musical: One of my favorite shows (for both the show and specific production) I have done. This show gets a pretty bad rep from the critics, but I think it is sweet.
16. Cabaret: One word: LIZA.
15. Bye Bye Birdie: I fell in love with the movie version of this show starring Dick Van Dyke and Ann Margret. Probably the fluffiest musical on my list, but the music is pretty catchy!
14. Sweeney Todd: Sondheim+creepy+Angela Lansbury=magic
13. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: I am a Weber fan, so naturally I like his weird twist on this Biblical story. Best Narrator part in any show I know.
12. Aida: This Elton John/Tim Rice show is quite moving but with funding from Disney, the cheese spills through in lyrics like, "Re: another pyramid", "Re:"??? But nonetheless, the dramatic, soul-moving music can overshadow the bad writing.
11. Beauty and the Beast: Pretty funny that I have another Disney show, but this classic tale accompanied with Ashman/Menken music is to die for.
10. A Chorus Line: So genius to have a show...about audition for a show! This show rings so true to life and the struggle of even getting in the chorus of a Broadway show...
9. Les Miserables: I think the key to really understanding a musical, is to listen to the music before seeing the show. I came to know this soundtrack inside and out before I had to opportunity of seeing it in London. Although I could have followed and enjoyed the show going into it blind, I could relish in the music and plot simultaneously without having to focus on the lyrics.
8. Little Shop of Horrors: This is another musical that I first experienced on film. The raw realities expressed in this outrageous show creates the perfect combination of comedy and examination of true feelings.
7. Meet Me in St. Louis: Another film musical, starring the one and only Judy Garland! This is the quint-essential musical, for me. I love watching it with my Mom and laughing at Tootie!
6. Chicago: Along with #7, I feel that Chicago is a show that takes the focus of classical musicals (intricate dance and musical instrumental numbers) to really compliment the plot, instead of distracting from it. Good movie, too!
5. RENT: This show was not only dramatic in my life, but for the musical world in general. Jonathan Larson took a classic story (La Boheme), modernized it and accompanied his story with rock music. So inspiring and moving.
4. Into the Woods: I suppose my biggest claim to fame in my life, is playing the lead of the Baker's Wife...in eighth grade. haha : ) I love the charm of this show, the cleverness of Sondheim on almost every level and enthralling music!! I love how this show gives the audience a glimpse into the world after happily ever after.
3. Peter Pan: Mary Martin's Peter Pan from 1954 is a MUST SEE for every musical enthusiast. This is a vastly under-appreciated show with wonderfully sweet music and once again a spectacular view of a classic tale.
2. The Phantom of the Opera: To this day, the best musical experience of my life, was seeing The Phantom of the Opera for the first time in London. From the first note, Weber captivates the audience with his spectacularly dramatic music. My favorite musical scene of all time is when the Phantom appears slowly in the chandelier after hearing Christine profess her love to Raoul. The sadness in his voice pulls so hard at my heart strings, no matter if he is a monster or not.
And last, but absolutely the opposite of least, my NUMBER ONE MUSICAL OF ALL TIME...
1. WICKED! As someone who has grown up loving everything Wizard of Oz, Gregory Maguire captured my heart with his twist on this story from the Wicked Witch of the West's point of view. Elphaba (the WWW) is my all time dream role! This great story with Stephen Schwartz's score is the best musical experience around! If you ever have the opportunity to read the book, see the musical or even hear the music...DO IT! Words cannot express the enchantment of this show.
Well, thank you for reading this loooong post about the love of my life, MUSICALS! I am planning on getting back into the theater life with some auditions at Seattle Musical Theater, but before that I need to get my chops back in shape! Stay tuned for my progress!
loved this post annie!! especially the ASB references.
ReplyDeletei am bummed that singin in the rain isn't on here but i'm glad mary martin peter pan is number 3.
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