Whenever I tell someone I love musicals, the question of which is my favorite arising is inevitable. I've tried to have one answer for over ten years, but I have never been able to narrow my favorites down to one that I love over the others. Asking me to choose just one favorite musical is like asking me to make and put new sheets on a lofted bed-- nearly impossible and just plain unfair. This post is mostly for my reference, so I can use it to provide a much better response than my usual, "It's complicated."
The musical I love that everyone else loves too:
Hamilton: An American Musical
Lin Manuel Miranda is everything. CHICKA BLAST.
The musical I love that one no one else even knows exists:
Jasper in Deadland
I saw this at the Seattle 5th Avenue Theater three times. The musical is Ryan Scott Oliver and One More Day of Snow is one of my favorite songs ever. They just released the World Premiere Recording, check it out here (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jasper-in-deadland-world-premiere/id1113084608)!
The musical that makes me want to change the world:
Spring Awakening
I had to watch this a few times before I really understood and appreciated what was going on and the message it was trying to give, but the piece and the message are brilliant. It's on my bucket list of shows I want to do.
My favorite musical of firsts:
Little Shop of Horrors
My first lead role, my first college show, and my first time being eaten by a giant man-eating plant, among other firsts, all came with the total eclipse of the sun (*ding*).
The show I have to see on stage before I die:
The Light in the Piazza
I've exhausted all YouTube versions and bootlegs.
The show that holds my #1 dream role:
In the Heights
When I was a child I stayed wide awake, climb to the highest place on every fire escape, restless to be Nina.
The best experience I've had doing a musical:
Jekyll and Hyde
The summer of 2014 was the best of my life so far. The show was real and incredible and fun, and magic happened both onstage and offstage. It was the most talented, dedicated, close, and drama-free cast I have ever worked with.
My favorite Golden Age musical:
Carousel
Actually, to be honest, I'm not a big fan of Rogers and Hammerstein works... Even though I can recognize how great they are, it's sometimes hard for me to stay awake. But I love Carousel (long as it is) and I think that the musical and message itself is often misunderstood. I particularly love the ballet and the character of Louise Bigelow.
The most beautiful musical I have ever seen:
Waterfall: A New Musical
The sets, costumes, lights, dancing, and visual presentation of this musical are just spectacular. In my favorite setting, there is a waterfall and a creek/pond onstage that they splash around in, dancing with a beautifully flowing lavender dress against the luscious green and stone set (see picture below). It closes with a watercolor painting of the scene. The actual book and score are good, but I almost feel like they didn't do the set justice!
The musical that captures my love for theatre, the art, the experience, and the life:
A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line is about growing up-- it’s about young people with dreams and the struggles of the theatre universe and of our society. The characters were all created from true stories of actors and dancers who sat down to talk about their experiences. The young adults in the line (many of which come from broken homes and difficult childhoods) look to the stage for an escape-- not looking for stardom, but for a place in the background, for a home and a place to fit in. It is an honest and intimate picture of desperation, insecurity, passion, and togetherness-- everyone knows what it feels like to love someone or something so much that you have no idea what you'd do or who you'd be without it. This is one that's on my bucket list to direct.
There aren't actually too many musicals that I don't like. My top favorites can vary on a day-to-day basis, but I have always -- and will always -- love the amazing pieces of art I have mentioned here.
The musical I love that everyone else loves too:
Hamilton: An American Musical
Lin Manuel Miranda is everything. CHICKA BLAST.
The musical I love that one no one else even knows exists:
Jasper in Deadland
I saw this at the Seattle 5th Avenue Theater three times. The musical is Ryan Scott Oliver and One More Day of Snow is one of my favorite songs ever. They just released the World Premiere Recording, check it out here (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jasper-in-deadland-world-premiere/id1113084608)!
The musical that makes me want to change the world:
Spring Awakening
I had to watch this a few times before I really understood and appreciated what was going on and the message it was trying to give, but the piece and the message are brilliant. It's on my bucket list of shows I want to do.
My favorite musical of firsts:
Little Shop of Horrors
My first lead role, my first college show, and my first time being eaten by a giant man-eating plant, among other firsts, all came with the total eclipse of the sun (*ding*).
The show I have to see on stage before I die:
The Light in the Piazza
I've exhausted all YouTube versions and bootlegs.
The show that holds my #1 dream role:
In the Heights
When I was a child I stayed wide awake, climb to the highest place on every fire escape, restless to be Nina.
The best experience I've had doing a musical:
Jekyll and Hyde
The summer of 2014 was the best of my life so far. The show was real and incredible and fun, and magic happened both onstage and offstage. It was the most talented, dedicated, close, and drama-free cast I have ever worked with.
My favorite Golden Age musical:
Carousel
Actually, to be honest, I'm not a big fan of Rogers and Hammerstein works... Even though I can recognize how great they are, it's sometimes hard for me to stay awake. But I love Carousel (long as it is) and I think that the musical and message itself is often misunderstood. I particularly love the ballet and the character of Louise Bigelow.
The most beautiful musical I have ever seen:
Waterfall: A New Musical
The sets, costumes, lights, dancing, and visual presentation of this musical are just spectacular. In my favorite setting, there is a waterfall and a creek/pond onstage that they splash around in, dancing with a beautifully flowing lavender dress against the luscious green and stone set (see picture below). It closes with a watercolor painting of the scene. The actual book and score are good, but I almost feel like they didn't do the set justice!
The musical that captures my love for theatre, the art, the experience, and the life:
A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line is about growing up-- it’s about young people with dreams and the struggles of the theatre universe and of our society. The characters were all created from true stories of actors and dancers who sat down to talk about their experiences. The young adults in the line (many of which come from broken homes and difficult childhoods) look to the stage for an escape-- not looking for stardom, but for a place in the background, for a home and a place to fit in. It is an honest and intimate picture of desperation, insecurity, passion, and togetherness-- everyone knows what it feels like to love someone or something so much that you have no idea what you'd do or who you'd be without it. This is one that's on my bucket list to direct.
There aren't actually too many musicals that I don't like. My top favorites can vary on a day-to-day basis, but I have always -- and will always -- love the amazing pieces of art I have mentioned here.