BWW BLOG: 2018 Mantra - New Year / New Musicals

Jess here. To be completely honest, re-acclimating to school after being on winter break can be a rough process, but as any Musical Theatre major knows, burying oneself in your favorite show tunes (as one does) can offer the perfect solution. After completing the first week of my second semester I realized that I needed to dedicate some time towards finding more classic/popular musicals to indulge in. So I did my research and successfully found two shows that I'm definitely late to the party for. In some cases, decades late. So, this week's article will highlight a few productions that many people have known about and cherished for years and years, yet are ones that I've somehow managed to be completely oblivious to.

As is often the case, timing is everything. "The Color Purple" came through Oklahoma City last week, and I'm ashamed to say that I knew absolutely nothing about it. Of course, I knew the iconic song "I'm Here" but that was pretty much it. How I could have made it this far in my life without being familiar with it is a mystery to me. It was SO GOOD. Incredible, actually. I was blown away by the talent, and the music, and the script, and everything in between! It was truly amazing.

I've also officially found my favorite musical theatre couple: Amalia Balash and Georg Nowack from "She Loves Me." This production opened on Broadway in 1963, and was followed by a TV movie version that was released in 1978. I am in LOVE with this show! I've had the original cast recording on vinyl for years, but I just now was able to see the taped revival from 2016 starring Zachary Levi and Laura Benanti. Words cannot express my OBSESSION with this show. I find myself blabbering about it whenever I get the chance because I absolutely love the music, not to mention the storylines' unexpected plot twists. It's definitely been added to my list of favorite shows and dream roles to portray.

There are still several other productions that I am dreadfully late to the game on, for example; "Chess," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and "Once on this Island." I can already feel the judgment from those who are fans of these shows, and I promise I'll get around to them. Eventually. I just like finding one show that I really love and then obsessing over it for a few weeks...or sometimes longer.

If you're looking to expand your horizons, Amazon sells many musicals on DVD/Blu-ray, and BroadwayHD streams filmed versions of a variety of LIVE musicals as well. I'm constantly on the lookout for more shows to see/give a listen to, so if any of you readers have a personal favorite, please be sure to send it my way! I can be reached through this link: http://direct2.broadwayworld.com/hosted/contact.cfm?id=402583

In the meantime, there are still the Oscars...

"Well, no one can say I didn't try." -Stephen Sondheim

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