With so many new musicals premiering each season, many slip through the cracks with little to no recognition. While some may become “cult classics” in some circles I don’t believe that they are talked about nearly enough.
While there are many more musicals that deserve more recognition, here are 5 musicals that every theater person, or non-theater person, should know about. All of them are absolutely amazing and I need more people to talk about them with, so study up!
1. Dogfight
Dogfight is a musical with music and lyrics by Pasek & Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, LaLa Land, The Greatest Showman) and is an adaptation the 1991 film Dogfight. The musical ran for a limited run Off-Broadway from July 16, 2012, to August 19. The show deals with cultural issues of the 1960s including the Vietnam War, American Marines (and their dogfights), and change in the role of women. The entire show can be found on YouTube and it never fails to make me cry.
Song to listen to: "Pretty Funny"
2. Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, was the show that put a modern twist on history before it was cool! I see it as a Hamilton but with less rap music and more guy-liner. The show itself is a comedic historical rock musical about the founding of the Democratic Party, populism and the Indian Removal Act.
But most importantly it redefines Andrew Jackson, America's seventh President, as an Emo rock star. With music and lyrics written by Michael Friedman and a book written by its director Alex Timbers the show ran from October 13, 2010 to January 2, 2011 and left us with beautiful lyrics like “John Addams tried to be an American Idol, Jefferson tried to be a Rock Star, Madison tried to make the Presidency vital, and James Monroe was a Douche Bag”
Song to listen to: “Rockstar”
3. Heathers: The Musical
Heathers: The Musical is a rock musical with music, lyrics, and a book by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy and based on the 1988 cult film Heathers The production opened Off-Broadway on March 31, 2014, and closed on August 4.
The show, while a hilarious comedy, deals with issues like teen suicide, murder, bullying, homophobia, date rape and gun violence and still remains a cult classic in the theater community. Please, if you do anything else, watch this instead of the awful TV remake they are trying to shove down everyone's throats.
Song to Listen to: “Candy Store”
4. The Mad Ones
Previously titled The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, The Mad Ones is a coming of age story about Samantha Brown as she leaves for college. Written by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk the show played a limited run from November 8, 2017, to December 17, 2017, Off-Broadway.
The production has gained popularity over the years on YouTube after posting videos of performances of the shows music my stars like Jeremy Jordan, Aaron Tveit, Sarah Hyland, and Melissa Benoist. Hopefully, I will be able to see this show on a stage soon but in the meantime, there is always the internet.
Song to listen to: “Run Away With Me” (the Jeremy Jordan Version)
5. Bonnie and Clyde
Bonnie & Clyde is a musical, centered on Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the infamous ill-fated lovers and outlaws. The musical debuted on Broadway in December 2011 staring hottest onstage couple ever, Jeremy Jordan and Laura Osnes.
Sadly and much to my disappointment, the show closed after just four weeks. However. It was nominated for 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards and 5 Drama Desk Awards, as well as two nominations for the 2012 Tony Awards.
Song to listen to: “Too Late to Turn Back Now” (but also the entire cast album)
