My Top 10 Favorite Musicals

As a fan of musicals my whole life, I have a whole musical collection of showtunes at my disposal. I decided to try to narrow down my 10 favorite musicals of all time.

10. The Last Five Years

This musical tells the story of the five year relationship between struggling actress Cathy Hyatt and successful author Jamie Wellerstein. It is unique in its telling of the story, however. Every other song alternates between Cathy and Jamie not only in perspective, but in time as well. The opener, "Still Hurting" takes place right after Jamie has walked out on the marriage. Cathy laments that while she is devastated over it, "Jamie is probably feeling just fine." The next song, "Shiksa Goddess" has Jamie reveling in his newfound love with a girl he just met -- Cathy. The only song in which both characters sing together is the climax "The Next Ten Minutes." The final song "Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You" has young Cathy rejoicing at meeting "the One" (Jamie,) while Jamie decides to leave the marriage -- by packing up and leaving a note while Cathy is out.

A film adaption was released in 2014 starting Anna Kendrick as Cathy and Jeremy Jordan as Jamie. The film follows the same plot as the original play, with the inclusion of characters only mentioned in the stage production. In the booklet included with the film's soundtrack, it is revealed that 7/14 songs were performed completely live, and a few were 50% live. The film adaption is available on Netflix.

Favorite Song: Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You.

9. CATS

I am a huge fan of cats, so it's really no wonder that I love the musical too. Based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, the musical tells the story of a race of cats known as "Jellicles" that gather once a year at the Jellicle Ball, where Old Deuteronomy, the elder cat, makes the Jellicle Choice; deciding which cat will ascend to the Heavyside Layer to be reborn.

Amongst the contestants are: Bustopher Jones -- a sixteen pound, golf playing tuxedo cat; Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat, Gus the old Theatre Cat, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteaser -- twin cats well known for their mischief; and Jennyanydots the Old Gumbie Cat.

Full of breathtaking ballet and moving lyrics, it's no wonder that Cats is the third longest running show on Broadway. In 1998 there was a special filmed production starring Elaine Paige, reprising her role as Grizabella the Glamour Cat from the Original London Production. There has been no official film adaption yet.

Favorite Song: Memory

8. Mamma Mia!

This jukebox musical -- using the music of ABBA -- tells the story of a young girl who wants to meet her real father so that he can walk her down the aisle. The problem is she has three possible fathers and has a day to find out which one is her real dad.

A film adaption was released in the summer of 2008 starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. It was a huge success and now, a decade after its release, has spawned a sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

Favorite Songs: Slipping Through My Fingers; The Winner Takes It All.

7. If/Then

In 2014, Idina Menzel made her triumphant return to Broadway, post Frozen.  The new musical was reflective of Menzel's real life at the time: a woman gets divorced at 38 and moves back to New York to start over (Menzel and her husband Taye Diggs were getting divorced at the time.) The main character, Elizabeth faces a choice: "Liz"  goes with Kate (LaChanze), while "Beth" goes with Lucas (Anthony Rapp.) The plot can be quite confusing the first time through as the only exterior difference between Liz and Beth is that Beth wears glasses. The story is fascinating, though, detailing how even the smallest decision can change your life in the biggest way.

Menzel was brilliant in the role, and was nominated for a Tony award for Best Actress for it. While the show did not run for more than a year, it's soundtrack beat RENT's as the highest selling Broadway album.

Favorite Song: Always Starting Over

6. AIDA

Based on the opera of the same name by Verdi, this tragic love story was unmissable. When Aida, a Nubian princess is captured and brought to Egypt as a slave, she and Radames (fiancé of the Pharaoh's daughter, Amneris) fall in love amidst political upheaval and treason. Aida must choose between love and duty: being with Radames, or saving her people.

With music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, along with stellar performances by Heather Headley and Adam Pascal, Aida truly was a magical show. The tragic ending was heartwrenchingly beautiful. In 2007, there were rumors of a film adaption with Beyoncé as Aida and Christina Aguilera as Amneris, but nothing ever came of it.

Favorite Song: Written In the Stars

5. Phantom of the Opera

Another tragic love story. Are we seeing a pattern here? Based on Gaston Leroux's novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra, this opera has captured the hearts of many. The Opéra Populaire is haunted by the mysterious Opera Ghost. When the opera house is taken over by Richard Firmin and Gilles André, the Opera Ghost sabotages a rehearsal of Hannibal so that his protégé (and chorus girl) Christine Daaé takes the lead. Mayhem ensues when the new patron, Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny is reunited with his childhood crush Christine, who is the singular victim of the Phantom's affections.

A film adaption directed by Joel Schumacher was released in 2004, starring Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine, and Patrick Wilson as Raoul. The stage adaption is the longest running show on Broadway. A sequel to the musical, Love Never Dies was released in 2012; it was not as popular as its successor.

Favorite Songs: All I Ask of You; Past the Point of No Return.

4. Les Misèrables

This powerhouse musical is based off of Victor Hugo's classic novel. It isn't a happy story, in fact I believe there is more death and misery than any other musical that comes to mind, but the story is beautifully told and the music is captivating. Set in France around the events of the French Revolution, this is one musical not to miss.

The film version was released on Christmas Day 2012 to high praise. It featured an all-star cast: Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Anne Hathaway (who won an Academy Award for her role) as Fantine, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Samantha Barks (reprising her role from the London revival and 25th anniversary concert) as Éponine, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Sacha Baron Cohen as M. Thénardier, and Helena Bonham Carter as Mme. Thénardier.

Favorite Songs: I Dreamed a Dream; On My Own; A Little Fall of Rain

3. Miss Saigon

A retelling of Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, the tragic love story is moved from Japan to Vietnam during the final days of the Vietnam War. The epitome of a tragic love story, the musical depicts the life of Kim, a 17 year old orphan who takes a job as a bar girl at Dreamland. When her services are bought for the night, she loses her virginity to a US soldier, they fall in love, but are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.

A film adaption is rumored to be in the works, based on the success of the Les Misèrables movie, as well as that of the 2014 London revival and 2017 Broadway revival. Lea  Salonga's career was launched after originating the role of Kim in 1989.

Favorite Songs: Sun and Moon; Last Night of the World; I'd Give My Life For You.

2. Wicked

Based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, this musical is a retelling of The Wizard of Oz reveals the origin story of Elphaba (future Wicked Witch of the West) and G(a)linda. The two meet at Shiz University, and despite an initial mutual loathing for one another, they become friends. 

After many years of rumors, it has been confirmed that the film version will be released in 2019. Idina Menzel nabbed her first Tony for Best Actress for her role as Elphaba. She went on to originate the role for the London production as well.

Favorite Songs: I'm Not That Girl; Defying Gravity; As Long As You're Mine; No Good Deed; For Good.

1. RENT

This rock opera is a modern retelling of Puccini's opera La bohème. This musical tackles taboo topics like drug addiction, homosexuality, bisexuality, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. It is most well-known for the creator, Jonathan Larson, passing away from an aortic aneurysm on the night of the final dress rehearsal..

The film adaption was released in 2005, and featured six of the original cast members: Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, and Taye Diggs, as well as newcomers Tracie Thoms, and Rosario Dawson. Original cast members Fredi Walker and Daphne Rubin-Vega did not return because Walker felt that she was too old to play a 20-something, and Rubin-Vega was pregnant

Favorite Songs: Light My Candle; Out Tonight; Another Day; La Vie Bohème; Take Me Or Leave Me; Without You; Goodbye Love.