Who doesn’t love a musical? Better yet, who doesn’t love discovering new musicals? So, here’s some underrated musicals that have similar vibes to these more popular shows:
- INTO THE WOODS – ALICE BY HEART
Into the Woods is the fairytale mashup of dreams, with a gothic twist. If you loved seeing all your favourite childhood characters interact in a new unique way in this Sondheim classic, Alice by Heart is sure to be your new obsession.
By the creative team behind Spring Awakening, Alice by Heart tells the story of Alice and Alfred, two teenage best friends who are evacuated into an underground tube station during a WW2 air raid. Alfred is sick with tuberculosis, and Alice, in denial, reads him their favourite novel, Alice in Wonderland. All the people sheltering with them then morph into the characters in Wonderland, with Alfred becoming the White Rabbit, who is “running out of time” (I know, right? Heartbreaking).
It’s a show about growing up, letting go of childhood and undeniably, grief. It also has one of the most gorgeous soundtracks I’ve heard in recent years. Definitely give it a listen!
- HAMILTON – THE COLOUR PURPLE
Hamilton is one of the most popular, best-selling musicals of the last decade. If you’re into musical theatre at all, chances are you’ve seen or listened to the show. It tells the story of the American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, and the rises and falls of his personal and professional lives.
Fun fact: it was originally a hip hop concept album! The show draws heavily from hip hop, as well as R&B, pop, soul, and traditional-style show tunes, and was revolutionary in its colour-blind casting which resulted in an extremely diverse cast. The show depicted the story of America in the past, as told through the people of America in the present.
The Colour Purple is a musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel of the same name. The show tells the story of Celie, as she journeys through joy, despair, anguish and hope in her own personal awakening to discover her strength and voice in the world. It draws on jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, celebrating life, love and the strength to stand up for who you are and what you believe in. Think Hamilton but with a trio of strong, black women at the centre, and a story that is uplifting and emotional. Celebrating diverse theatre is so important, and this show is a superb example of that!
- COME FROM AWAY – THE BAND’S VISIT
Come from Away tells the remarkable true story of the experiences of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, and the almost 7000 airline passengers who were forced to land there when US air space closed on September 11, 2001. The story is told with a rather minimalistic set of tables and chairs, focusing mainly on the storytelling of the musical. It is deeply human and personal, and these particular themes, along with its unique music, have earned it critical success.
If this musical affected you, I highly recommend the Tony-winning (yet still severely underrated) The Band’s Visit, which portrays a small Israeli town where daily routines get disrupted by an unexpected visit from Egyptian musicians. Though heading to Petah Tikvah, where they are scheduled to play a concert, the band members unfortunately found themselves — due to language miscues — in Bet Hatikva, where they end up staying overnight.
These people from two cultures rely on English and the Klezmer-influenced Mediterranean music they share to speak across barriers on matters of friendship, love, and loss. The actors on stage also play the instruments, and it’s a gorgeous soundtrack, showcasing traditional Middle-Eastern styles. The Band’s Visit appeals to the universal romance and passion people find in music, no matter where they are from, and is very deserving of all its critical success.
- THE LAST FIVE YEARS – ORDINARY DAYS
The Last Five Years is a show that is truly dear to my heart, as I am currently the assistant director for Leeds’ Musical Theatre Society’s production of it! It is a small, human show all about love and communication and how we navigate this messy world, and the music is simply stunning, proving you don’t need a huge set and a huge budget for musical theatre is just as effective in showcasing the mundane.
If you love the quiet humanity in The Last Five Years, I really recommend Ordinary Days! Set in New York City, the musical follows four characters, Claire, Jason, Warren, and Deb, exploring how their ordinary lives connect in the most amazing ways. The songs are beautiful, and at times utterly heartbreaking (I’m looking at you, ‘I’ll be Here’). They are all about human connection, both platonic and romantic, and definitely worth a listen if you are keen on the topics explored in The Last Five Years.
Written by: Charlotte Hunter
Edited by: Harsheni Maniarasan