Nina Fichera
There are so many musicals I love, as can be seen in my “My Favorite Musicals” YouTube playlist. It’s a wide range, from Heathers to Seussical to “The Ballad of Sara Berry” from 35mm. If I had to choose just one musical, though, I think it’d have to be Next to Normal. It’s heartbreaking with an amazing kind-of rock soundtrack. I love every single song and have to sing along when I hear them! It’s also one of the first musicals I’ve ever seen onstage, which of course is a milestone.
Dara Scolnick
I’ve seen a lot of musicals in my life and my favorite one I’ve seen everywhere but Broadway! Legally Blonde the Musical premiered on Broadway when I was very young so I was unfortunately unable to see it. However, I’ve seen it performed at multiple semi-professional and professional theaters as well as a high school. It’s an amazing show that thankfully MTV did a pro-shot of which means they filmed the Broadway version with legal permission! This show is so inspiring to me and has the best songs! “Chip on My Shoulder” is my favorite! I love it so much I got a Spotify sticker code of it for my laptop! Laura Bell Bundy and Christian Borle were amazing in this show as well as the rest of the amazing cast. I will never not think of the song “Omigod you guys” when someone says “Oh my God.” Also, similarly for when someone says “so much better”, I immediately think “Yes, that’s my name in black and white
Maybe I’m doing something right
Wow! I feel so much better than before” and the rest of the song is also a bop. It’s so creative and funny and simply well written. This show means so much to me and I would really love if one day it was revived on Broadway as this article states five reasons why: https://www.hercampus.com/school/geneseo/5-reasons-why-legally-blonde-the-musical-should-be-reprised-on-broadway/ (a little Her Campus-self promotion!)
Madison Centeno
As a certified theatre kid, it is almost impossible to choose a favorite musical. If I am being honest, my favorites are a mix of musicals that I truly think are fantastic and some that just hold a very sentimental place in my heart. Since I can’t choose one, I present to you the top five. The first on my list is West Side Story. This is one of the ones that definitely holds a special place in my heart. It was one of the first musicals that I have ever seen and my family thought it was important for me to see Puerto Rican representation as a Puerto Rican woman. Although the film is definitely not the best at this representation, it still meant a lot to me as a kid. The next is Hadestown. The writing is absolutely amazing and the music is so captivating that I fell in love with it from the first song I heard. I was going to go see it this Christmas but it was canceled due to COVID. I really hope I get the chance to. The third is Mamma Mia. All I have to say is ABBA. The fourth is Heathers, it is absolutely iconic. 80s teen angst tied in with a little true crime aspect is like the perfect mix. Last but not least, Waitress. I loved the movie so when the musical came out I was beyond excited. It always gives me a good cry when I need it.
Lauren Davies
As a retired theatre kid, asking me to choose a favorite musical is literally like asking me to choose a favorite child. But I would say my top three are Waitress, Mamma Mia and Newsies. Waitress is probably my all time favorite, but I could never give up the other two. I did two NYSSMA solos to Waitress songs in high school (“What Baking Can Do” and “She Used to be Mine”) and they were so fun to sing! Also, the story makes me cry every single time. That being said, Mamma Mia and Newsies are just so fun, and Mamma Mia was the first professional show I ever saw live. Also, I have to give a shoutout to Anything Goes and Seussical for being the most fun to perform. So, basically, I love every musical and will likely become obsessed with all of these again for the next few weeks.