Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
As soon as I saw this topic, I knew what I had to pick – and it’s the top ten of one of my favourite ever things:
April 18th: Top Ten Musicals
Les Miserables
Favourite Song: Do You Hear the People Sing?
It’s absolutely iconic, and one of my favourites – I was so chuffed to get to see it live last year! I currently have multiple copies of the live versions on DVD, and I can honestly watch them over and over. Not to mention every time a new one is released, I always try and find a way to watch it.
Moulin Rouge!
Favourite Song: Come What May
This has to be one of my favourite films of all time. I remember the first time I watched it, being totally blown away by every aspect of it and loving the way the different songs are used. Definitely about time for a rewatch, come to think of it.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Favourite Song: Gettin’ Bi
Yes, I’m also counting TV shows, and this has to be one of my favourites – it requires a rewatch as soon as I can. Rebecca’s journey is so incredible to watch, and the whole cast does an amazing job with the various musical numbers and dancing. And as a musical lover who has no actual talent in acting, singing, etc – I really do relate to Rebecca. It’s a great series that does some excellent musical parodies, and it’s without a doubt worth a watch.
High Society
Favourite Song: Well Did You Evah?
An absolute classic I’ve seen countless times – it’s one I watched fairly young, and kept returning to again, and again, and again. It’s oddly comforting, and Frank and Bing work so well together in Well Did You Evah?
Six
Favourite Song: Don’t Lose Your Head (or maybe Haus of Holbein…Get Down…Six…they’re all great, really)
I got to see this last year and absolutely loved every moment. I’d really like to see it again, at some point. Such a great musical, the soundtrack is amazing, and at its core it’s such a fantastic idea. This album played constantly in our house for a good while after we’d seen it!
Cabaret
Favourite Song: Maybe This Time
I was introduced to this by a school production when I was in Year 8, and I fell in love – then I watched the film, and discovered what true love is. It would be an absolute dream to see a full production of this, and if I was able, I’d love to go to the current Kit Kat Club in London. A girl can dream, right? But this also showed me how dark musicals can be, how they can explore themes that many people don’t think of when they think ‘musical’. And Liza…well, she’s simply divine, darling.
Rock of Ages
Favourite Song: Sister Christian/Just Like Paradise
I love jukebox musicals, I love classic rock…I know a lot of people kind of look down on this film, and I do really badly want to see it on stage, but I do enjoy the film! It’s silly fun, stupid enjoyable, and just overall feel good, with songs I can’t help but sing along to. Plus, I love a good mashup song.
Hair
Favourite Song: Hair
Another one I would do anything within my power to see on stage. I absolutely love this film, and it’s a great snapshot of this era. The songs are iconic and the impact the stage show had is undeniable. I love watching this alongside…
Across the Universe
Favourite Song: With a Little Help From My Friends / I Want You (She’s So Heavy) / Revolution
Yeah, I find it incredibly hard to just pick one (again). This was almost Hamilton, but I have to admit, Across the Universe has a very special place in my heart. The cast is great, the music is, well, legendary, and it touches on some really key 60s moments. Like Hair, it deals with Vietnam War in part, and focuses on the counterculture at the time. I tend to pair Hair and Across the Universe together because of their similarities, but they’re also vastly different in their approaches to similar topics. Honestly, if you’ve seen one and not the other, I really suggest watching the one you haven’t seen.
Schmigadoon!
Favourite Song: Everything in Season 2
This probably wouldn’t have made the list if it wasn’t for the fact we’re three episodes into season two and it is genius! Season 1 I enjoyed, but I am definitely much more familiar with late 60s/early 70s era ones, and Schmicago is brilliantly done. From “Welcome to Schmicago” to “Do We Shock You” to everything Dove Cameron does to invoke Liza in Cabaret, I find myself absolutely enjoying every second of this season. Honestly, if you like this era of musicals you are going to have an absolute ball with season 2.
So there we have it – what did you pick for this week’s topics? And if you’re a musical person, like me, what’s your favourite? I’d love to hear from you!
Unwrapping Words 
I haven’t seen any of these. Musicals are very expensive overhere so it’s hard to afford it.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2023/04/18/top-ten-tuesday-10-albums-i-love-that-are-released-this-century/
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I haven’t seen most of them on stage either – though I’d love to. Most of these I’ve seen because there’s film versions 🙂
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