My Top 10 Broadway Musicals

For the next two weeks, I want to do something a little different. I have mentioned before how much I want to do media reviews, most specifically of movies (especially Disney movies), books, and Broadway musicals. In order to help me organize my ideas for which things to review, I will make a few lists of my favorites in these categories. I will do two both weeks. These posts will not be super long, but will hopefully give you a taste of the types of stories I want to write about and dig deeper into the messages they are trying to convey.

Today, I will list my favorite Broadway musicals. For most of these, I have seen a stage production of these musicals, a few of them a Broadway level production. A few of these I haven’t seen on stage, but I am in love with the film version. For the reviews I plan to do in the future, I plan to compare and contrast film versions of the musicals if they exist. For now, I will give a brief explanation of where I saw it performed (if applicable) and the main reason I love the story. I hope to do reviews on all these musicals in the future, so stay tuned! Here’s my top ten favorite Broadway musicals

10. Spiderman Turn Off the Dark

Getting to see this musical was amazing! The main reason this is on the list is because I got to see it on Broadway! I am not the biggest fan of Spiderman or superheroes in general, but this musical was so incredibly well done and made me appreciate Spiderman as a character. I also have fond memories of seeing the play with my Exegeting the City class. It was interesting getting to watch a musical set in New York City after having spent several days learning about the city. Awesome experience! 

8. Phantom of the Opera

This is one that I haven’t seen in a stage production, but I very much enjoyed the film version of this musical. The main reason I love it is because of the story of redemption. This one is definitely high on my must see list!

8. Million Dollar Quartet

This is another one that I had the chance to see a Broadway level production. This one, I went to see in Chicago while I was on concert choir tour in college. We were in a small theater where you could see everything very well. We had such a fun time! The reason why I loved the play so much is that it was based on a historical event that I knew nothing about before seeing the musical. It was done in a very creative and tasteful way.

7. Mary Poppins

I also have not had the chance to see the stage version of this musical, but I have loved this movie since I was a little girl. I love that Mary teaches the children and Mr. Banks to understand life from a different perspective and to be aware of the needs of those around them. This one I plan to review after our local theater does their production this fall.

6. Singin’ in the Rain

This one, I have not technically seen a stage version, because I was in the cast! When I was in college, I had the chance to play the wardrobe mistress and be a member of the Broadway chorus. I also came to love the film version while being a part of this production. Aside from fond personal memories of the play, the reason I love the story is the lesson of optimism that is prevalent in the plot.

5. Annie

I have had the chance to see two different stage productions of Annie when I was a kid/pre-teen, and I absolutely loved it. I also love the original film version (I haven’t had the chance to see the new version. Need to work on that!). The main reason I love Annie is the transformation of Mr. Warbucks, when he came to love Annie as his own. Such a beautiful story.

4. Les Miserables

I had the chance to see a stage production of Les Miz only last summer, but had already fallen in love with the film version prior to seeing it. The main reason I loved it was also for the themes of redemption and transformation, especially for Jean Valjean

3. The King and I

This one I have not had the chance to see a stage production, but I love the two different film versions (The 1956 live action film and the 1999 animated version). The reason I love this musical is the character of Anna, and her determination to teach both the royal children and the King of Siam what they needed to learn. This one is high on my must see list!

2. Wicked the Musical

This is by far my favorite of all the Broadway level productions I’ve seen, mostly because it was my first, and I’ve seen it twice (Kansas City in 2009 and Chicago in 2010)! Aside from the fond memories I have from both times of seeing it, I love the question it poses about who and what defines wickedness.

1. Beauty and the Beast

This is not only my favorite musical, but also my favorite film of all time. I had the chance to see a local production when I was in high school and loved the stage version as much as I loved the film. The main reason I love it is because of the redemption and transformation of the Beast (are you noticing a pattern here? lol) It’s truly is one of the greatest stories of all time. I want to see a Broadway level of this one so bad!

[Note: When I review this story, I will focus on the film version, but also highlight differences from the stage play]

Conclusion

There you have it. These are my top ten favorite Broadway musicals. Number #11 on my list, which I do also plan to review, would be Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. There are a few other plays that are not on this list that I plan to review in the future as well, including In the Heights, Chicago, Cats (which I will see for the first time this summer!), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I also hope to someday see the stage versions of The Lion King and Aladdin. Stay tuned to my blog to find out more about these musicals and what Christians can take away from these stories.

[If you haven’t yet, you can also check out my first Broadway review of the premiere musical First Wives Club by clicking here]