It’s a Musical!

BY FIONA COX AND DAPHNE MATSAKIS

Hey YOU! Did you know there is a way to combine amazing and dramatic plotlines with the catchy show tunes that you love? This is a wonderful thing called a MUSICAL, and we have a list of some must-watch shows for all ages. Keep reading to find out more about these magnificent musicals! Bonus points if you figure out what musical our title quotes!

Hadestown

Musical Genre: jazz, blues, folk

Run Time: 2 hrs and 25 minutes

Warning: Contains strobing lights, and intoxication

Hadestown, by Anais Mitchell, is simply a masterpiece of a musical. When it came out in 2019, it got 14 Tony Award nominations, and won 8 of them—including Best Musical!

The plot is based on the Greek myths Orpheus and Eurydice and Persephone and Hades, with a stunning modern twist. The sets are remarkable, with their 1920s-style town, and dreary underworld. Another unique part of this musical is its focus on trombone. It features several trombone solos, and credits the trombonists (and other instrumentalists) in the opener of the second act. With jazzy tunes, expert choreography, mesmerizing sets, and an entirely fantastical plot, Hadestown could be the musical for you.

MATILDA

Musical Genre: pop

Run Time: 2 hrs 40 minutes

Warning: smoking, some scares including mean and cruel behaviors from parents and teachers

Originally created by Roald Dahl in 1988, Matilda was adapted into a musical performance in 2010. Matilda is about a bright young girl who was sent away to a strict school by her cruel parents. The story follows Matilda on her pursuit for fair and just rules in the school, inspiring students to stand up to the mean principal. Though its cast is mostly children, it does have some scary content like the term “chokey” which was developed to describe a dark box with nails and glass which students would be forced to go in if the students displeased the principal. Despite this cruel behavior, Matilda is about standing up to the injustices performed by the principal. The musical has earned four Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical, Best Featured Actor, Best Lighting Design, and Best Scenic Design.

The Sound Of Music

Musical Genre: classic showtunes

Run Time: 2 hrs and 30 minutes

Warning: Contains scary moments

A Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, The Sound of Music debuted in 1959 on Broadway and followed a popular 1965 film version. This instant hit followed the journey of Maria when she becomes a nanny to a very large family. After spending time with her family Maria begins to love the father and his children. Scary moments include when the father accepts an assignment from the German Military where he clashes with the Nazis. Some may even recognize its popular songs like Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, and Edelweiss. The Sound of Music won five Tony awards including; Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Conductor and Musical Director, and Best Scenic Design of a Musical. Many people may not realize that this show was actually based on a true story that happened in 1949. Now 64 years after being made it is still one of the best classic musicals of all time suitable for a wide range of ages.