Musicals

I had a friend in high school who was involved in theatre and introduced me to the world of musicals. After books, musicals are my favourite form of storytelling as there is no better way to express a story than through song.
I indulged in my love for musicals by visiting Broadway and spending every night of my three week trip to London at the theatre. I also love attending the local theatre and seeing musicals that are playing when I visit Brisbane and Sydney.
I also love musical movies, but this list is based on the stage versions of musicals.

1. Phantom of the Opera

This is my absolute favourite musical of all time. The first version I saw was the movie in high school, and I wasn't really a fan. I think I was too young to actually understand it. But a few years later, I saw a local production in Townsville and fell completely in love. The music is the most captivating score on stage. I watched the movie again and was hooked. The following year, I finally made it to Broadway and saw the show there. I was lucky enough to see Norm Lewis as the Phantom there, and he was amazing. The best part was the phantom's voice coming from various places around the theatre. However, I was sitting too far back to really soak up the atmosphere, I feel. It was the first show I booked on West End and I got a good seat in the dress circle. But then when the exchange rate changed and I had better tickets to all the other shows, I booked a second viewing of Phantom in the stalls. It was even better in the stalls with the chandelier rising and crashing right above me. The best part of this holiday, however, was securing tickets to Phantom in Paris. It would be the first time it would be performed in Paris and in French ... but then the show was cancelled after the theatre was harmed by fire. I almost cried when I found this out. Today, I still have the ambition to see Phantom of the Opera performed in a different language.

2. Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast, especially the musical version, is very Phantom of the Operaish. Have you ever noticed that? Considering the Disney animated movie is an amazing musical, I think they really stepped it up for the stage version with the addition of the songs Home and, especially, If I Can't Love Her​. I find the musical far more powerful than the movie. Even though I have never actually seen it. This remains my number one musical to see.

3. Les Miserables

Considering this is one of the world's biggest musicals and the longest running musical on West End, and therefore the world, I figured that I would see it when I was in London. I was only familiar with a few of the songs and aware that it was a bit of a tear jerker and that everyone died. I was absolutely captivated by this musical. The story is strong, the music is powerful, and the ending is the most beautiful of all musicals and certainly brought tears to my eyes. I have since since a local production and it was just as moving and beautiful. The recent movie does not do the musical justice.

4. Wicked

This was my high school friend's favourite musical when we were at school as it was quite new at the time. Mum even let me out of school early to go watch my friend perform Defying Gravity at the eisteddfod and she sang For Good at our graduation. All I wanted to do was see Wicked on Broadway, it was my entire motivation for going, and it was the first ticket I bought after the airfare. Wicked was the first musical I saw on Broadway and the last on West End. I have even seen two local versions in Townsville and Ayr, which were as spectacular as the real shows. This musical is powerful, has great songs, good humour, and is a lot of fun for everyone.

5. Mamma Mia!

The movie was the first version of this musical I saw and Mum and I have loved it ever since. My aunt and I bought tickets to see this one snowy day when we were in New York and it was the most fun we had all trip. Seeing this musical is more like attending a dance party, especially as you're encouraged to get up and dance during the encore. It was just as fun to see it on West End and when it came to Australia, I took Mum to see it in Brisbane on my birthday. It was wonderful because the set was different to the one on Broadway and West End, which made it a lot more fun for me. This musical is great for anyone who loves to dance and have fun.

Other notes about musicals...

My current list of musicals seen include:
Broadway: Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Chicago, If/Then, and Mamma Mia!
West End: Phantom of the Opera (x2), Wicked, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables, The Lion King, Aladdin, School of Rock, and The Book of Mormon
Sydney: The Lion King, My Fair Lady, Evita, The Bodyguard, The Sound of Music, and The Book of Mormon
Brisbane: Kinky Boots, and Mamma Mia!
Mackay: Fame, and Annie
Townsville: Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Rock of Ages, We Will Rock You, Les Miserables, Shrek
Ayr: Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked

- I enjoyed the Book of Mormon the first time I saw it, but didn't find it as funny the second time.
- While I love The Lion King movie with all my heart and the songs, I do not like the musical. The puppetry is amazing, but I do not enjoy the musical.
- There is a reason the Chicago movie was such a big hit as it is ten times better than the musical.
- Musicals I wish to see include Anastasia, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Hamilton.