In truths that she learned or in times that he cried in bridges he burned or the way that she died..
When I was growing up, I was never very interested in musicals. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy them, I just found them a little tedious. The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Oliver, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins... I'm sure I sat through them on more than one occasion, but they certainly wouldn't have been my first choice.
In 1998, I went to see my first live musical - Rent - and it blew my mind. Maybe it was the goosebumps from listening to a live performance; maybe it was the ensemble cast; maybe it was the fact I was an impressionable teen and it somehow spoke to me.
In retrospect, I think it was a revelation: I had this preconceived notion about what musicals were or should be and this production completely shattered it. The cast was young and vibrant; the subject matter was hard-hitting and emotional; the music was contemporary with an edge of rock; and I was hooked.
I went to multiple performances in Sydney, I bought the soundtrack, I listened to it constantly and - despite the fact the lyrics were included in the slick - I typed up every single word so I could display it in my folder like a script. I can now recite every single word from start to finish by heart - usually whilst zooming down the freeway on a road trip with my bestie.
I got swept up in the excitement of the film and sat at the cinema awe-struck as most of the original Broadway cast brought their stage characters to the screen. And I got to see it on Broadway (just before it closed) nine years after seeing it for the first time - on my Birthday, no less.
Since that defining moment, I've become an avid watcher and fan of musicals. Classics, contemporary, children, films, stage, anything - everything! While I've never been as "dedicated" to any musical as that one, I certainly have my favourites. I highly recommend you check them out so they can become your favourites, too:
CABARET
I'm not going to lie. There was only one reason I went to see this when it opened in Sydney in 2002; Toby Allen, of Human Nature fame. My favourite member (on rotating basis) of my favourite manband and I had to know whether his talent could reach beyond providing that wall-shaking bass. It could. In fact, the production was critically acclaimed, he took home three awards for his portrayal of the Emcee, and I went on to see the show nine more times in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Highlights Willkommen, Two Ladies, Maybe This Time, Money, Cabaret, I Don't Care Much.
CHICAGO
Having missed out on the Sydney stage production in the late 90s, the film version was my first taste of this acclaimed Broadway musical. And, even despite my distaste for Renée Zellweger, it was fantastic! Some stage productions just don't transition well to film (or to stage from film), but this one seemed to navigate the fine line between showstopping tunes and dialogue very well. Theatrical without forsaking storyline. Several years later I was able to see the incomparable Caroline O'Connor reprise her role as Velma
Highlights All That Jazz, Funny Honey, When You're Good To Mama, Cell Block Tango.
JERSEY BOYS
As soon as they started promoting this musical in Melbourne (by promoting, I mean casting calls), I became obsessed with it. And I don't really know why. I've never been a huge Four Seasons fan, I didn't know their history or just how many songs and decades their career spanned, it just looked like it would be a great show. At the time I was working at Borders and our music buyer - aware of my affinity for musicals - gave me their sampler CD on its release and surprised me with a pair of tickets to preview night. It absolutely lived up to the hype and provided entertainment, a history lesson, and a songlist that reads like a 1960s Best Of.
Highlights Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Oh What A Night, Who Loves You.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS
I had no idea what to expect, but this was such a wonderful surprise. So simple, such an excellent premise, and executed so perfectly. I'd have never believed I could be so riveted by two actors (who don't exchange any dialogue during the 90 minute show) who sing fourteen songs which perfectly illustrate the blossoming and downfall of their relationship. While I was initially excited about seeing the supreme Anna Kenrick take on the role of Cathy in a feature film, I feel like the intimacy (and appeal) of this story as a stage show will be lost on the big screen.
Highlights Still Hurting, Shiksa Goddess, A Summer In Ohio, The Next Ten Minutes.
RENT
Highlights Another Day, Without You, Seasons of Love, Take Me Or Leave Me, I'll Cover You (Reprise), Goodbye Love.
WICKED
While my feelings towards The Wizard of Oz run lukewarm, my best friend absolutely adores it. So when Wicked first hit Australian shores, our group of friends sent her to Melbourne to see it for her Birthday and I was the de facto plus one. I must admit, I liked this musical the more times I saw it because there are so many easter eggs which may not be picked up the first time. The way they weave in characters from and references to the original story are very clever, but it's the ensemble performances which make this truly excellent. I dare you not to get goosebumps during the climactic moment which closes the first act and Elphaba flies for the first time.
Highlights No-One Mourns The Wicked, What Is This Feeling, Defying Gravity, For Good.
I've just realised that every one of these has either been made into a movie or is about to be. Huh.
In 1998, I went to see my first live musical - Rent - and it blew my mind. Maybe it was the goosebumps from listening to a live performance; maybe it was the ensemble cast; maybe it was the fact I was an impressionable teen and it somehow spoke to me.
In retrospect, I think it was a revelation: I had this preconceived notion about what musicals were or should be and this production completely shattered it. The cast was young and vibrant; the subject matter was hard-hitting and emotional; the music was contemporary with an edge of rock; and I was hooked.
I went to multiple performances in Sydney, I bought the soundtrack, I listened to it constantly and - despite the fact the lyrics were included in the slick - I typed up every single word so I could display it in my folder like a script. I can now recite every single word from start to finish by heart - usually whilst zooming down the freeway on a road trip with my bestie.
I got swept up in the excitement of the film and sat at the cinema awe-struck as most of the original Broadway cast brought their stage characters to the screen. And I got to see it on Broadway (just before it closed) nine years after seeing it for the first time - on my Birthday, no less.
Since that defining moment, I've become an avid watcher and fan of musicals. Classics, contemporary, children, films, stage, anything - everything! While I've never been as "dedicated" to any musical as that one, I certainly have my favourites. I highly recommend you check them out so they can become your favourites, too:
CABARET
I'm not going to lie. There was only one reason I went to see this when it opened in Sydney in 2002; Toby Allen, of Human Nature fame. My favourite member (on rotating basis) of my favourite manband and I had to know whether his talent could reach beyond providing that wall-shaking bass. It could. In fact, the production was critically acclaimed, he took home three awards for his portrayal of the Emcee, and I went on to see the show nine more times in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
Highlights Willkommen, Two Ladies, Maybe This Time, Money, Cabaret, I Don't Care Much.
CHICAGO
Having missed out on the Sydney stage production in the late 90s, the film version was my first taste of this acclaimed Broadway musical. And, even despite my distaste for Renée Zellweger, it was fantastic! Some stage productions just don't transition well to film (or to stage from film), but this one seemed to navigate the fine line between showstopping tunes and dialogue very well. Theatrical without forsaking storyline. Several years later I was able to see the incomparable Caroline O'Connor reprise her role as Velma
Highlights All That Jazz, Funny Honey, When You're Good To Mama, Cell Block Tango.
JERSEY BOYS
As soon as they started promoting this musical in Melbourne (by promoting, I mean casting calls), I became obsessed with it. And I don't really know why. I've never been a huge Four Seasons fan, I didn't know their history or just how many songs and decades their career spanned, it just looked like it would be a great show. At the time I was working at Borders and our music buyer - aware of my affinity for musicals - gave me their sampler CD on its release and surprised me with a pair of tickets to preview night. It absolutely lived up to the hype and provided entertainment, a history lesson, and a songlist that reads like a 1960s Best Of.
Highlights Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Oh What A Night, Who Loves You.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS
I had no idea what to expect, but this was such a wonderful surprise. So simple, such an excellent premise, and executed so perfectly. I'd have never believed I could be so riveted by two actors (who don't exchange any dialogue during the 90 minute show) who sing fourteen songs which perfectly illustrate the blossoming and downfall of their relationship. While I was initially excited about seeing the supreme Anna Kenrick take on the role of Cathy in a feature film, I feel like the intimacy (and appeal) of this story as a stage show will be lost on the big screen.
Highlights Still Hurting, Shiksa Goddess, A Summer In Ohio, The Next Ten Minutes.
RENT
Highlights Another Day, Without You, Seasons of Love, Take Me Or Leave Me, I'll Cover You (Reprise), Goodbye Love.
WICKED
While my feelings towards The Wizard of Oz run lukewarm, my best friend absolutely adores it. So when Wicked first hit Australian shores, our group of friends sent her to Melbourne to see it for her Birthday and I was the de facto plus one. I must admit, I liked this musical the more times I saw it because there are so many easter eggs which may not be picked up the first time. The way they weave in characters from and references to the original story are very clever, but it's the ensemble performances which make this truly excellent. I dare you not to get goosebumps during the climactic moment which closes the first act and Elphaba flies for the first time.
Highlights No-One Mourns The Wicked, What Is This Feeling, Defying Gravity, For Good.
I've just realised that every one of these has either been made into a movie or is about to be. Huh.