5 Musicals Based Upon Popular Entities That Are Actually Great
I’m not going to lie: I am often highly skeptical of big-name shows that arrive on Broadway. My default position is to assume that established properties with large fanbases will inevitably become cookie-cutter, factory line musicals that make it on Broadway solely based on their ability to exploit the nostalgia of the common public, resulting in hoards of fans jumping for tickets. As an aspiring writer myself, I can often feel disheartened by the number of mediocre cult shows or loosely structured juke-box musicals that seem to infest the Great White Way, taking places that could be filled by new and thought-provoking works of theatre that will move the medium forward.
However, every once in a while, a gem will emerge, and I will come away surprised by how much I loved the show. Here are five shows that, even if they are not the greatest works of all time, are quality musicals with great music, lots of heart, and a story worth telling again.
5. Mamma Mia!
The only juke-box musical on this list, Mamma Mia! is a show I expected to hate. Despite the obvious genius of the songs by ABBA, the premise seemed somewhat insufficient to me. A musical about a girl who invites three of her potential dads to her wedding? That’s it? In all honesty, even now I think that the actual story of the show could be told in half the running time. However, I was so enraptured by the show when I first saw it that I wanted the already-stretched out story to last even longer! The songs are infectious, the characters are lovable, and the humor is undeniable. In addition, Donna, Tonya, and Rosie are three incredibly fun roles for an often underwritten group in theatre– women over the age of 50. And these three are no Goldes (no offense, Fiddler!)– they are energetic, jubilant, wacky, and raunchy characters that also have a lot of heart underneath their hippie Dynamo outfits. In terms of structure and story, this show is slightly lacking, which is why it is rated lowest on this list. However, it’s so much fun and such a celebration of life, so I just had to include it!
4. Legally Blonde the Musical
As a movie, Legally Blonde is funny, energetic, inspiring, girl-powered, and very very pink. The musical has all of the same stellar qualities, plus incredibly catchy songs and dances to boot! The stage show does a great job of showing Elle Woods’s character growth (it might do this even better than the movie!). The opening number, “Ohmigod, You Guys”, is frivolous and melodramatic, introducing us to a young woman obsessing over which dress to wear to what she believes to be her proposal. However, despite her California-blonde-girl stereotype clearly showing through, she is written lovably at the same time, allowing audiences to believe enough in her as a character to follow her through a two and a half hour musical. Throughout the show, especially in numbers like “Chip on My Shoulder” and “Legally Blonde”, we really begin to respect Elle and recognize the depth of her intellect and the greatness of her determination. By the end of the show, I felt like there had been a realistic (well, give or take, especially considering her… unconventional… admission into Harvard) and empowering shift from a frivolous blonde to a strong, independent thinker and lawyer.
3. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Based on the Steve Martin movie of the name name, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels chronicles a dare between two con-artists: the first to swindle a naive young woman out of $50,000 first wins. The score is the true star of this piece. Written by David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), it is brimming with energy, catchy tunes, and lots of humor! I don’t know if I have ever listened to another musical soundtrack that made me laugh out loud as much as this one. In addition, the book is succinct, humorous, and fast-paced, resulting in a show that effectively runs its time without dragging. This piece is SO underrated and should be produced much more often. Make sure to take a listen!
2. Heathers the Musical
This is another show I was expecting to hate. It was a show that I knew revolved around teenagers in highly toxic and somewhat stereotypical situations, with a fair share of sexualization, references to drugs and underage drinking, and suicides. Going in, the only thing I knew about the greater storyline was that Veronica’s boyfriend attempted to blow up their school. Typically, this is not the kind of subject matter I appreciate or want to support in a musical, especially one about teenagers. And while I still have some problems with the way teenagers are portrayed (I will debate anyone who claims “Dead Girl Walking” doesn’t cross the line), the show ultimately won me over with incredible music, a moving lead in Veronica Sawyer, and a story that ended with a surprising amount of hope, in spite of the darkness of the storyline. Barrett Wilbert Weed and Ryan McCartan, as Veronica and J.D., respectively, bring so much power, angst, and darkness to their roles. The show is well-paced, with fast-paced numbers occasionally followed by a heart-wrenching ballad. “Beautiful” sets up the world of the show succinctly and effectively, and the writers fit a lot of important exposition into that song in an entertaining way. Songs like “The Me Inside of Me” and “I Love My Dead Gay Son” brilliantly combine the darkness of their respective subject matters with laugh-out-loud humor and irony. Meanwhile, ballads like “Seventeen”, “Lifeboat”, and “Kindergarten Boyfriend” stun with their powerful melodies; and the haunting story unravelling in numbers like “Our Love is God” and “Meant to be Yours” are chilling and disturbing, in the best way. This show has quickly become a soundtrack I listen to on repeat, and I still get chills every time I hear the redemptive “Seventeen Reprise”.
1. Waitress
This show probably has one of my top five favorite musical theatre scores of all time. Written by the powerhouse singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, the musical is based off of the 2007 movie of the same name. The story follows Jenna, a young waitress newly pregnant with an unwanted child and stuck in an abusive marriage, who goes on a journey of self-love and discovery when she falls for her obstetrician, Dr. Pomatter. The show stars legends like Jessie Mueller, Keala Settle, and Christopher Fitzgerald. Unfortunately for Waitress during award season, the show came out the same year as Hamilton; and while Hamilton certainly deserved the awards it received, if there had been a “Best Original Song” category at the Tony’s, Jenna’s eleven o’clock number, “She Used to Be Mine”, probably would have taken the trophy. Other standout numbers include the comedic “When He Sees Me” and “You’re Never Ever Getting Rid of Me”, while the tranquility and stillness of songs such as “Soft Place to Land” and “You Matter to Me” warm our hearts. And I would be remiss not to shout out “What Baking Can Do”, “Bad Idea”, and “I Didn’t Plan It”. All in all, this was a hugely successful screen-to-stage adaptation that is being released soon as a pro-shot!
Any other musicals you think should make the list? I can think of several! Let me know your ideas in the comments below!
Originally published August 2, 2021