Theater is one of the great fine arts, and there are plenty of shows loaded with female characters to look up to. Whether you’re just getting into musicals or looking for some new recommendations, here are five examples of modern shows both popular and lesser known that feature powerful leading women.
Anastasia. Based on the 1997 animated film, this musical centers around Anya, a girl with hardly any memories trying to figure out who she is, who gets involved in a plot with conmen Dmitry and Vlad to prove she is the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, only to discover she may actually be who they say she is. This musical includes most of the songs from the movies and has some original songs as well, and it features a strong performance and vocals from Anya, who is determined to pursue this journey of self-discovery.
Fun Home. Fun Home revolves around the true story of Alison Bechdel and the discovery of her sexuality as well as her relationship with her gay father before he committed suicide. Told through the perspectives of her as a child, a college student, and an adult, this show portrays the struggles Alison encounters throughout her life within herself as well as with her father. The story and the music showcase the strength in Alison as she looks back on her life and learns from her experiences.
Waitress. This show tells the story of Jenna, a waitress with a love for baking pies who becomes pregnant with her abusive husband’s child and pursues an affair with her doctor. Based on 2007 movie of the same name, Waitress portrays the complex journey Jenna goes through as she tries to figure out how she wants to continue her life. It also focuses on the lives of her two friends, Dawn and Becky, and shows a great example of a supportive female friendship.
Newsies. Newsies is inspired by the New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899 and includes fantastic songs and choreography as it follows the newsies’ strike against the greedy JosephPulitzer. While there are not many female characters in this show, this is redeemed by Katherine Plummer, a young reporter trying to make a serious name for herself in a male-dominated field. Although Katherine’s efforts may not be the main focus for this show, she is still a very important character who is vital to the success of the strike.
Come from Away. This musical takes place after 38 planes were forced to land in a small town in Newfoundland following the 9/11 attacks, and it portrays the interactions the passengers had with the citizens of Newfoundland and the welcoming arms they were shown. Some of the characters in Come from Away are based on actual people, including Beverley Bass,who was the first female captain of an American Airlines plane. Beverley and the other women in this show have incredibly moving performances that portray the range of emotions experienced during this tragic time.
Each of these musicals involve women giving wonderful performances of other strong women, regardless of if they are the main character or not. If you are looking for a contemporary play with iconic female characters, these shows are a great place to start.