Broadway Shows
I got into a conversation with some friends over the weekend about some of the best Broadway shows we've ever seen. I kept thinking that I should blog about this since I had so much to say. Let me preface this by saying...I'm not a connoisseur of Broadway shows, but I know what I've seen and I know what I like.
Anyway, over dinner someone mentioned to a group of us that she is on her way to New York for the first time and wanted some recommendations for Broadway shows. Well I threw in my two cents that a trip to New York is not complete without catching a show on Broadway. I was trying to think of what show I would recommend and I couldn't pick just one. All the shows that I've seen featured amazing music, great stories, and outstanding performers. And depending on the genre desired or current mood, it would be a tough choice for me to recommend any of my favorites. My list of top 5 Broadway shows are posted below:
5. Mama Mia - The music was annoyingly catchy, but the premise of the show was a little hard, for me, to get behind. I mean, it's difficult to get into a story that has a daughter preparing for her wedding only to find out that her mother doesn't know who her father is...it could be one of three guys...yeah, can you say slut? Needless to say, it was a little hard to concentrate on the show when there were other factors that I felt needed to be addressed. I didn't see the issue as being as ho-hum as they tried to make it.
4. Rent - A memorable show with a semi-controversial topic. I remember being really moved during the show over relationship issues, personal attachment, and deep loss. It was very touching and extremely sad. Because it was so emotionally heavy, it was hard not to get into the show and connect with the characters. And again, very sad. But still, very good.
3. Aida - I think that this was the most underrated show that I've ever seen on Broadway. The first time I was in New York, I had to decide whether to see Aida or Lion King. Since I wasn't a big fan of the "Lion King" movie, I opted for Aida and hoped that it would be good. When I was seated and read the Playbill for Aida, I was extremely confused because the storyline made no sense...something about time travel, forbidden love, and undying devotion. But after watching the show, I was super surprised to find that I loved it (and the storyline made perfect sense).
2. Jersey Boys - I know that Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons wasn't the music from my generation, but I'm familiar their music due to my parents (you know how we all recognize, and sometimes like, our parents' music). So when I decided to see the Jersey Boys with my parents, I wasn't sure that I would like it. But I was pleasantly surprised how well the show was. I loved the vocal chords, bubbly melodies, and love inspired songs. I bought the CD and listen to it constantly. The music is just that good. Definitely one of my favorites.
1. Phantom of the Opera - By far, hands down, my absolute favorite Broadway show. Granted, Phantom was the first show that I ever saw, but I'm glad it was Phantom versus Les Miserables (which I wasn't a big fan of). But Phantom of the Opera was so good that I saw it three times (twice when it came to San Francisco and once on Broadway). It is just that good. I think it helped that I saw it in San Francisco, loved it, and then went to New York and was completely blown away by how good it was. I don't think that there's anything that I would change or wish was different. I love the music and the storyline...it's just so romantic (I'm definitely a closet romantic, but don't tell anyone). It always leaves me feeling completely moved and very sentimental.
Anyway, those are my favorites.
Anyway, over dinner someone mentioned to a group of us that she is on her way to New York for the first time and wanted some recommendations for Broadway shows. Well I threw in my two cents that a trip to New York is not complete without catching a show on Broadway. I was trying to think of what show I would recommend and I couldn't pick just one. All the shows that I've seen featured amazing music, great stories, and outstanding performers. And depending on the genre desired or current mood, it would be a tough choice for me to recommend any of my favorites. My list of top 5 Broadway shows are posted below:
5. Mama Mia - The music was annoyingly catchy, but the premise of the show was a little hard, for me, to get behind. I mean, it's difficult to get into a story that has a daughter preparing for her wedding only to find out that her mother doesn't know who her father is...it could be one of three guys...yeah, can you say slut? Needless to say, it was a little hard to concentrate on the show when there were other factors that I felt needed to be addressed. I didn't see the issue as being as ho-hum as they tried to make it.
4. Rent - A memorable show with a semi-controversial topic. I remember being really moved during the show over relationship issues, personal attachment, and deep loss. It was very touching and extremely sad. Because it was so emotionally heavy, it was hard not to get into the show and connect with the characters. And again, very sad. But still, very good.
3. Aida - I think that this was the most underrated show that I've ever seen on Broadway. The first time I was in New York, I had to decide whether to see Aida or Lion King. Since I wasn't a big fan of the "Lion King" movie, I opted for Aida and hoped that it would be good. When I was seated and read the Playbill for Aida, I was extremely confused because the storyline made no sense...something about time travel, forbidden love, and undying devotion. But after watching the show, I was super surprised to find that I loved it (and the storyline made perfect sense).
2. Jersey Boys - I know that Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons wasn't the music from my generation, but I'm familiar their music due to my parents (you know how we all recognize, and sometimes like, our parents' music). So when I decided to see the Jersey Boys with my parents, I wasn't sure that I would like it. But I was pleasantly surprised how well the show was. I loved the vocal chords, bubbly melodies, and love inspired songs. I bought the CD and listen to it constantly. The music is just that good. Definitely one of my favorites.
1. Phantom of the Opera - By far, hands down, my absolute favorite Broadway show. Granted, Phantom was the first show that I ever saw, but I'm glad it was Phantom versus Les Miserables (which I wasn't a big fan of). But Phantom of the Opera was so good that I saw it three times (twice when it came to San Francisco and once on Broadway). It is just that good. I think it helped that I saw it in San Francisco, loved it, and then went to New York and was completely blown away by how good it was. I don't think that there's anything that I would change or wish was different. I love the music and the storyline...it's just so romantic (I'm definitely a closet romantic, but don't tell anyone). It always leaves me feeling completely moved and very sentimental.
Anyway, those are my favorites.
Posted by kristina
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