These Are a Few of My Favorite…MUSICALS
Happy new year friends! The year has already gotten off to an unpredictable start with Tiktok gone one day and back the next, the polar plunges this week into sub zero temps, and the wildfires in California. With so much paradox in the world so early into 2025, I wanted to lighten the mood with a fun blog on musicals this week! I saw Shucked this week at the CIBC theatre in Chicago and it reignited my love of musical theatre. I think this weekend was the last of the show, but it was totally hilarious and the puns were so up my alley. Very corny, you might say.
Some of the shows below I’ve been in, some I’m watched live, some I’ve just blasted a little too loud from the shower - but they’re all wonderful in their own right. But I live to rank, so without further ado, the below are the 44 musicals I’ve ever listened to ranked in order of how much you need to listen to them ASAP. And another disclaimer that I know there are plenty of musicals I haven’t listened to that I should have higher on the list (ahem, Rent), so more to come in future years! Thanks for reading and I’ll be back before you know it:)
Anastasia
Summary: Loosely based on the historical twilight of the Russian empire & the Disney classic, these songs are catchy, loveable, and Derek Klena is so cute!
Song to listen to: My Petersburg
Wicked
Summary: If you haven’t seen the movie that came out this year, do yourself a solid and check it out! Based of the Witches of Oz preceding the Wizard of Oz.
Song to listen to: Dancing Through Life
Phantom of the Opera
Summary: One of the most beautiful musicals of all time, about a stunning soprano who becomes the obsession of a mysterious musical genius.
Song to listen to: All I Ask of You
Next to Normal
Summary: This is my newest obsession! It’s a rock musical with absolutely devastating lyrics from a woman whose family life is falling apart before her eyes.
Song to listen to: Aftershocks
Hamilton
Summary: A historical musical rewrite of the American Revolution and its aftermath, with all the founding fathers getting an honorable mention.
Song to listen to: Burn
Six
Summary: A fun band-inspired retelling of the struggles faced by Henry the eighths six wives as they fight over who had it worse
Song to listen to: Don’t Lose Ur Head
Les Mis
Summary: A tragic retelling of the French Revolution (you noticing the theme here?) during a poor man’s fight for redemption. Some of the best music ever?
Song to listen to: On Your Own
Sound of Music
Summary: Former nun Maria is sent off to be a governess for the Von Trapp children of Salzburg, Austria during its turbulent takeover by the Nazis.
Song to listen to: My Favorite Things
Fiddler in the Roof
Summary: In the Jewish town of Anatevka, Rabbi Tevye and his three daughters navigate love and change to the most longstanding traditions.
Song to listen to: To Life
Legally Blonde
Summary: Malibu Barbie Elle Woods journeys to Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend, in doing so finding a new spark within herself. Musical > movie?
Song to listen to: Chip on my Shoulder
Hadestown
Summary: A beautiful musical based on Greek Mythology. Follows Orpheus, his muse Eurydice, and Persephone and Hades- through the changing seasons.
Song to listen to: Anywhere the Wind Blows
Heathers
Summary: J.D. and Veronica accidentally (and then not so accidentally) start a killing spree against their high school’s most popular clique.
Song to listen to: Dead Girl Walking (or Candy Store)
Cabaret
Summary: Set in the backdrop of the Nazi’s uprising, we meet Sally Bowles, a singer at the Kit Kat Club Cabaret, as she falls in love in Berlin.
Song to listen to: Cabaret
Book of Mormon
Summary: This hilarious (maybe the most) musical centers around two mormons who set out to Uganda on a mission of converting Africans to the church
Song to listen to: Two by Two
Chicago
Summary: Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, both accused of killing their husbands, fight for the spotlight during their trials in 1920s Chicago.
Song to listen to: Cell Block Tango
In the Heights
Summary: Revolves around the resident community of Washington Heights in NYC, as they individually cling to community and aspire for success.
Song to listen to: Breathe
Little Shop of Horrors
Summary: Seymour, a small town florist assistant, embarks on quite the adventure when his plant, the Audrey II, comes alive one day.
Song to listen to: Suddenly, Seymour
Waitress
Summary: Jenna Hunterson is stuck in loveless marriage and small town, fighting to reclaim herself through baking - nothing more than sugar, butter, and flour.
Song to listen to: She Used to be Mine
Mamma Mia
Summary: Another great movie musical! About Sophie, who during her wedding tries to learn who her father is after being kept in the dark by her mother, Donna.
Song to listen to: Thank You for the Music
The Wizard of Oz
Summary: I mean who doesn’t know this one? I was in this one so I have a special affinity for it, but it is the tale of Dorothy Tale and her adventure in Oz!
Song to listen to: Over the Rainbow
The King and I
Summary: Anna is a British schoolteacher hired by a foreign king in his attempt to modernize his country and adapt to English values. Basically the older SOM:)
Song to listen to: Getting to Know You
Into the Woods
Summary: Was in this one too! It’s the darker, more interesting fairy tales - Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel- and how they all secretly come together.
Song to listen to: I Know Things Now
Beetlejuice
Summary: A recently deceased young couple become ghosts haunting their former house, connecting with unhappy teen daughter Lydia and introducing rambunctious spirit Beetlejuice who quickly sparks mayhem and danger.
Song to listen to: Dead Mom
The Outsiders
Summary: Based on the novel by S.E. Hinton, this musical revolves around a group of working-class teenagers in 1960’s Oklahoma at odds with a rival gang.
Song to listen to: Justice for Tulsa
My Fair Lady
Summary: Phonetics professor Henry Higgins takes it upon himself to convert Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney working-class girl, into a member of high society.
Song to listen to: I Could Have Danced All Night
Be More Chill
Summary: Unpopular and socially awkward high schooler Jeremy Heede takes a supercomputer pill to improve his social status - with undesired effects.
Song to listen to: The Smartphone Hour
Hairspray
Summary: “Pleasantly Plump” Tracy Turnblad pursues stardom as a dancer on the Corny Collins show, bringing racial integration and change to 1962 Baltimore.
Song to listen to: Good Morning Baltimore
Aida
Summary: An opera and musical that tell the story of an Ethiopian princess who is kidnapped in Egypt and falls in love with an Egyption general.
Song to listen to: My Strongest Suit
Mean Girls
Summary: Based on the movie with the same name (arguably one of the best movies of all time), about Cady’s plan to take her school’s queen bee down!
Song to listen to: Apex Predator
West Side Story
Summary: Follows two young lovers, Tony and Maria, as they fall in love despite the rivalry between their street gangs in NYC during the fifties.
Song to listen to: I Feel Pretty
Grease
Summary: Another “Opposites attract” back to back! This famous musical centers around good girl Sandy and greaser Danny, who fall in love one summer.
Song to listen to: Summer Nights
Matilda
Summary: Matilda is a gifted girl with magic abilities, mistreated and abused at the hands of her family - until she heads to school and puts her abilities to use.
Song to listen to: Revoluting Children
Newsies
Summary: Homeless NYC newsboy Jack Kelly and his fellow newspaper salesmen go on strike when a publishing giant threatens their livelihood.
Song to listen to: Santa Fe
Annie
Summary: Annie grows up at the hands of cruel Miss Hannigan, until she gets the opportunity to live with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, creating an unlikely bond.
Song to listen to: Maybe
Shrek
Summary: Like Mean Girls, who hasn’t seen the movie? I can assure you the show is just as awesome, capturing the story of an ogre on a unexpected quest.
Song to listen to: I Know It’s Today
Dear Evan Hansen
Summary: Evan is a teenager with severe social anxiety, who seizes the opportunity to fit into a new family when they lose one of their own to suicide.
Song to listen to: Does Anybody Have a Map
Mary Poppins
Summary: “Practically Perfect” Mary Poppins becomes the nanny for the Banks family, and uses her magical abilities to bring them together and help them grow.
Song to listen to: Practically Perfect
Bye Bye Birdie
Summary: Set in 1958, this story centers around a talent agent and his girlfriend, as they try to save their music company following their star clients’ army draft.
Song to listen to: An English Teacher
Aladdin
Summary: You’ve heard of the Disney movie, now introducing the musical with the same name! Follow Aladdin, a poor thief who turns into a prince, at a cost.
Song to listen to: Friend Like Me
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Summary: A jukebox musical that focuses on the early life and career of Carole King, using the very songs she once wrote.
Song to listen to: Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Shucked
Summary: The latest musical I’ve seen on this list (yes, it’s low, but just because it had a lot to live up to!). This one follows a woman who leaves her small town of Cob County to find help when their corn starts dying unexpectedly.
Song to listen to: Independently Owned (LISTEN TO THIS!)
Bring It On
Summary: It’s another movie musical! We cheer on two high school cheerleading team as they prepare for an important national competition.
Song to listen to: Killer Instinct
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Summary: Charlie Bucket gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he visits Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but the ensuing events are beyond his anticipation.
Song to listen to: Pure Imagination
Cats
Summary: Listen just because it is last, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a leg to stand on! Cats is a great musical, in addition to being another one I was in! It centers around a group of cats called the Jellicles who gather for a ball to select a cat for rebirth. Yeah, it’s a weird one- but also a lot of fun!
Song to listen to: Memory
Yeah, so there’s some great musicals on this list. Take the extra day if you have it and the night if you don’t, and listen to a new one!
Sincerely,
Sharon