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The Magic of Musicals


I love musicals! What is it about musicals that I love? Musicals tell a story with music and dancing. It's how I wish life would be...I'm going through my day, something frustrating happens, and I turn and belt out a song about it. Wouldn't that be great? 

This past weekend I saw Rent at the National Theatre in Washington D.C. with two friends. I first saw this show, before it's debut on Broadway, in Boston twenty years ago. I loved it more this time, and I didn't think that was possible! This story is timeless and powerful. The music touched me all over again and the performances were incredible...goosebump-inducing singing and dancing!

I've always loved musicals. My family picked one musical a year to go and see. It all started with Cats. Since then I've seen Les Miserable, Miss Saigon, Ragtime, Annie Get Your Gun, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Crazy for You, Kiss of a Spider Woman, and Phantom of the Opera. When I listen to musical soundtracks, I always pick which character I'd be, if I were in this story. Empathy. I sing (only when I'm alone because I have a terrible singing voice) with gusto and I feel the story! Musicals allow me windows into different lives, cultures, and experiences. Musicals are magic.



Next week I'm going to see "The Sound of Music" at the Kennedy Center. I've never seen the stage show and I can't wait! My wish list of shows I'd like to see include: Wicked, The Secret Garden, Aspects of Love, Dear Evan Hansen, and of course Hamilton!
Do you have a favorite musical?


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  1. TaraJune 27, 2017 at 8:36 AM

    Musicals are just such fun - especially live, in the theater musicals. I would have to say that Anything Goes is my favorite - I love those old musicals with their costumes and grand sets!

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  2. Donna SmithJune 27, 2017 at 11:35 AM

    I love musicals. In our nearby town, Brunswick, summers are filled with musicals. When I was a child, I got to go to some great musicals, as my parents who owned an antique shop would supply props for many of the musicals and would get free tickets to attend...The King and I, Flower Drum Song, Music Man, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof...so many, many! Those evenings were magical!
    We don't go as often as I'd like now - very expensive! But this summer they are having a special "Alice in Wonderland" for which I've bought a bunch of tickets to take my grandchildren and some friends with kids to see.
    I can't say what would be my favorite musical. I love them all! Ha! Just reminded me... a couple of days ago I DID break out in song in a parking lot! I was reacting (to some one's driving I think) like I WAS in a musical! My husband just smiled and shook his head... Someday they will take me away...LOL!

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  3. Terje June 27, 2017 at 11:35 AM

    Musicals certainly give an emotional boost. I can feel in your words how the music is still in your head and you are probably still humming.

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  4. Becky LeffJune 27, 2017 at 1:29 PM

    I love musicals, too! In fact, I think I will have to write my own Slice about musicals, inspired by you! I love West Side Story, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady... I love the songs from Carousel and Gene Kelly's dancing in the movie version of Brigadoon. I also want to see Hamilton, and it's here in Chicago! I just have to figure out how to get tickets at a reasonable price.

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  5. JulieanneJune 27, 2017 at 2:13 PM

    So fun! I too grew up with musicals. Love them all. You are right the combination of music and story push at our emotions in wonderful ways.

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  6. Amy WarntzJune 27, 2017 at 3:41 PM

    I loved Rent too! I saw it several years ago on stage at the local theatre. My favorite though was when I saw Grease in NYC back in the 90s. My bucket list...Wicked and Hamilton! Have a blast next week!

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  7. Stacey ShubitzJune 27, 2017 at 5:55 PM

    You've seen many great musicals! I'm excited for you to see "Sound of Music." I've seen the movie more times than I can count, but I've never seen it performed live. I bet that'll be a real treat!

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  8. Lee Ann SpillaneJune 28, 2017 at 7:44 AM

    I love Miss Saigon. I can still remember sitting stunned with a girlfriend when the curtain dropped--incredible. "Sound of Music" will be terrific!

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  9. Jen DriggersJune 28, 2017 at 9:02 AM

    I haven't been to too many on Broadway but my dad used to take us to see musicals when we were little all the time. Outdoor theaters, high school shows, dinner theater, etc. The smaller theaters were my fav. We saw Oklahoma, anything goes, bye bye birdie, fiddler on the roof, 42nd street. And the list goes on. I don't know why I haven't taken my daughter yet. This summer might be the time to rekindle my dad's tradition. Thanks for sparking the memories!

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