Jen's Musical Theater Bucket List
Are you looking for shows to add to your musical theater bucket
list? Below is a
list of my favorite Broadway musicals of all time. Not all of these
shows are currently playing on Broadway, but hopefully they will
make their way back to Broadway or on tour to a city near you someday soon.
Note: If the text is green, click it to read Jen's review.
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Jen’s List of Bucket-List-Worthy Musicals  Les Miserables A musical look at the troubles of some people in Paris. Sounds boring, but isn’t. Almost ever word is sung rather than spoken, and the music (with songs like "One Day More," "On My Own," and "Who Am I?") is epic!  Come From Away An incredibly-touching and surprisingly-funny musical about people who stepped up to help stranded travelers after the tragedy of 9/11/2001.  Dear Evan Hansen "Waving Through a Window" and "Only Us" are some of my favorite songs ever! Dear Evan Hansen makes those of us who feel unheard feel a little less alone.  Hadestown A hauntingly-beautiful love story.  The Lion King A lion grows from cub to king. I'm amazed by the creative, beautiful way that the animal characters can be portrayed by actors and puppeteers. The opening number, "Circle of Life," makes my heart swell.  Miss Saigon A woman who has lost everything is forced to sell herself. A tragic story, but the music is beautiful. "The Last Night of the World," "I Still Believe," and "Bui-Doi" are heart-wrenching.  The Phantom of the Opera A disfigured man haunts a theater. Eerie songs, like "Music of the Night" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again." Watching this show in a beautiful Broadway theater makes the story feel real!  Wicked Set before and during the Wizard of Oz story, this show offers up a possible back-story for some of the characters. In Wicked, Dorothy is not the star; she only sort-of makes an appearance. It’s interesting to get some “insight” into why the Wizard of Oz characters are how they are. Great songs, like "Popular," "Defying Gravity," and "For Good."  Into the Woods A retelling of children’s stories in a not-so-appropriate-for-children way. Inventive songs, like "Into the Woods" and "Your Fault." Fun story with an important message.  Secret Garden An angry, orphaned little girl transforms herself and all those around her when she discovers a magical garden. Surprisingly funny. Beautiful songs, like "I Heard Someone Crying" and "Lily's Eyes."  Jekyll and Hyde The story of Jekyll and Hyde certainly doesn’t sound like musical-theater-material, but this turns out to be a great, but dark, show. The numbers "This Is The Moment" and "A New Life" are showstoppers.  Mamma Mia! ABBA songs, like "Money, Money, Money," "Dancing Queen," and "Take a Chance on Me," expertly woven into an engaging story.  Billy Elliot the Musical Little boy who lives in a place where little boys are supposed to grow up to be coal miners, discovers his exceptional talent as a ballet dancer. The triple-threat talent of the boys who play Billy is impressive. The story is endearing. The songs, like "The Letter" and "Electricity," are touching. School of Rock Adorable kids become a rock band with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber!  Rent Young people living in NYC struggle with life and death. Not a feel-good musical, but the music is great, with songs like "Seasons of Love" and "Light My Candle."  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat A young man whose brothers try to kill him becomes a celebrated hero. Despite the fratricide attempt, it turns out to be a good time! Funny songs, like "One More Angel In Heaven" and "Those Canaan Days."  Catch Me if You Can A teen becomes a world class con artist. It’s a fun time, starting with the opening number, "Live in Living Color."  Sister Act A woman in the witness protection program (who has a larger-than-life personality) is hidden in a convent where she must pretend to be a nun. A fun musical. I walked out of the theater with "Raise Your Voice" stuck in my head!  Annie A little girl uses her strong spirit to inspire others. The show is fun and uplifting. I love when the orphans sing "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile."  Beauty and the Beast A young woman who is "different" finds her place in the world and meets her true love. This musical theater version of the 1991 Disney movie by the same name has some excellent songs that are not in the movie, like "Home" and "If I Can't Love Her." The Beast's transformation at the end of the show is magical! |
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ABOUT JEN Jen is also known as J.W. Lynne, a best selling author of eleven novels. Click on any of the titles below to see the book on Amazon! THE UNKNOWN: Eight kids learn the shocking reason why they were kidnapped. ABOVE THE SKY: A girl lives in a world where touching her soulmate is forbidden. THE DARKNESS OUTSIDE: A teen is locked in a bunker to take a simulated trip to the moon. KID DOCS: An experimental program turns kids into doctors. WILD ANIMAL SCHOOL: A girl falls in love with a boy at an exotic animal ranch. WHAT HE DIDN'T TELL ME: A traumatized girl meets a boy with a horrible secret. IF I TELL: A teen wonders if her father is a serial killer. Besides reading books and dreaming up stories to write, Jen's favorite activities are singing along to musical theater soundtracks and hiking in California's beautiful parks. **Jen's books are available on Kindle Unlimited.** |
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