Musicals That I Cannot Stop Re-Watching

Many don’t know this, but I spent a huge chunk of my childhood and teens in the arts. Not writing, but M U S I C! I was reading music, writing music and playing music which was my absolute love for the longest time — well, from 3rd grade to 12th grade to be exact.

I was a flutist, a pianist and a percussionist. My forte being the flute!

Yes! A woodwind, specifically the flute, was my jam back in the day and I truly wish that I had continued with my practice and with reading music because it is definitely something that you lose over time if you don’t practice.

What I haven’t lost, however, is a love for musicality, an admiration for those involved creatively in music — playing, singing, dancing, etc. — and I have a huge respect for OPERA! An untold secret of mine is that opera is one of my favorite genres of music! Yes, I’m dropping all of the secrets today, but this post is about musicals that have been living in my mind, rent-free, so here they are:

Les Miserables (2012)

This is actually my favorite movie (next to Peter Pan (2003)).

Les Mis is the story of Jean ValJean who starts the movie imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. He is freed by Javert, a man of the law, and then is given the opportunity to turn his life around by a lovely priest. He takes on the care of a young child who teaches him love and many other lessons. This musical is truly beautiful for all of crossing stories and the beautiful music especially that sung by Hugh Jackman, Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Bark, and many more!

Fun fact: “Bring Him Home” sung by Hugh Jackman’s character in my favorite version of Les Mis is ranked one of the toughest songs to sing in broadway history.

The greatest showman (2017)

This post must be about Hugh Jackman because here he is again! But this time, he accompanied by: Zendaya, Zac Efron, Yahya, Keala Settle, Michelle Williams, singer Loren Allred and many more. This beautiful story is full of fanfare, enthusiasm and footwork! I wrote a glowing and technical deep dive into this wonder. You should check it out here:

G R E A T E S T | S H O W M A N | R E V I E W

the phantom of the opera (2004)

The first time that I saw this beauty was in high school and WOW! Not only did we play the score of this beautiful film in band, but when I saw the movie I was fully prepared to join the drama club and start my acting career (for the sake of the world, however, I did not).

Fun fact: Showtime’s Shameless has a lead character by the name of Fiona who is played by Emmy Rossum who also played Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera movie. Her voice was an absolute stunner and still is! This is a movie that you shouldn’t miss.

Fun fact about me: The Phantom of the Opera was the first show that I’ve ever seen on Broadway and just so happens to be the longest running Broadway show, and rightfully so!

in the heights (2021)

In The Heights is the story of the ultimate sueno, or dream. Usnavi is a dreamer trying to make it out of the barrio and to Puerto Rico! Produced by the incomparable Lin-Manuel Miranda, In The Heights is yet another musical that’ll make you want to dance and sing along. For your viewing pleasures, it’s currently available to stream on HBOMax!

hamilton (2015)

Lin-Manuel Miranda strikes yet again… Hamilton, wow, the way that this musical took the pandemic and beyond by storm…

This musical is based on the 2004 book Alexander Hamilton which tells the life of American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. If you’re someone who hasn’t heard of Hamilton, the phenom, then you were obviously stuck under a rock for quite some time. Welcome back!

Alright!

That’s been my list of absolute favs when it comes to musicals, a lot of which include some of the songs and singers who have conquered some of Broadway’s toughest songs to sing. Stay tuned! We’ll be addressing these songs later.

Best,
Bree 🎶