Five Great Musicals (By Request)

My friend Lauren asked me for five favorite musicals as she attempts to beef up her musical theatre repertoire for auditions, a task which those who know me well will know suits me comfortably. As I tend to do, I definitely went a bit overboard with it, but I thought I'd share what I came up with for her on here in case anyone else wants a gander.

5. Rent: Rent revolutionized Broadway with then edgy themes, rollicking rock-flavored music, a compelling and tragic behind-the-scenes story (the writer, Jonathan Larson, died of a freak aneurysm the night before ...its first Off-Broadway preview), and a ton of HEART. I sang a duet from Rent three of my four years in HS for big end-of-year concerts ("I'll Cover You" is a sweet love song between a man and a drag queen; "Take Me or Leave Me" is a raucus breakup song between two lesbians; "What You Own" is a powerful ballad of finding one's purpose after everything). It's a bit dated now but still packs an emotional punch and has some great tunes ("Out Tonight" is as thrilling to see performed live as the Queen of the Night's arias in The Magic Flute, and "Seasons of Love" will always be a glorious, if bittersweet, anthem).

4. Into the Woods: Clever story, insightful characters and, of course, brilliant music by the master himself, Stephen Sondheim. Follows well-known fairy tale characters interacting comedically in Act I and tragically in Act II. I recommend watching the DVD of the original Bway production with Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason (Vanessa Williams starred in the revival). "On the Steps of the Palace" is one of the more difficult and impressive female solos around, as is "Moments in the Woods," but "No One is Alone" is definitely the signature ballad.

3. Kiss Me, Kate: An oldie but goodie by Cole Porter (a master of the clever lyrics and jazzy Broadway tunes of the 50s) which was revived splendidly in the early part of this decade (that cast recording is stellar); a take on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew with a modern twist. Best part, though, is the endless list of great songs: "So in Love," "Too Darn Hot," "Another Op'nin, Another Show," and the second act showstopper "Always True to You (In My Fashion)" (done amazingly on revival cast album by Amy Spanger). I saw it on Broadway and it remains atop my list.

2. Sweeney Todd: Another Sondheim masterpiece, only this one is a gory melodramatic opera about a homicidal, throat-slitting barber out for revenge. The music is incredible, and the lead roles of Sweeney Todd and the sinister Mrs. Lovett are gifts to seasoned veterans (Angela Lansbury was the original; Patti LuPone did a revival). I recommend the DVD of the San Francisco Symphony Concert production from a few years ago with George Hearn, Patti LuPone, and Neil Patrick Harris. Incredible.

1. Avenue Q: This is perhaps the closest any musical has ever come to perfection. On the surface it's an irreverent spoof on Sesame Street, where puppets and humans coexist and deal with being 22 with a useless college degree, no money, and seeming lack of purpose. But it's really a sweet love story and a touching, HILARIOUS, and most of all completely true and relateable fable about growing up. "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," "The Internet is for Porn," and "If You Were Gay" will have you rolling in the aisles, while "There's a Fine, Fine Line," "Purpose," and "I Wish I Could Go Back to College" will tug your heartstrings (and impress any casting director). Beat out Wicked for the Best Musical Tony and deserves every bit of it; recently closed on Bway only to reopen immediately Off-Broadway, and with any luck it will run until the end of time. It's truly incredible. I will fly to New York with you to see it again, and I've seen it twice already.