5. Wicked
Of course, the ever-cliche Wicked shows up on the list. But how can you not? This entire soundtrack is a masterpiece. I still get goosebumps when I listen to Defying Gravity or For Good. Should I even bother putting a mini-synopsis of this show? If you don't know what Wicked is, you are seriously missing out on one of the best shows Broadway has ever seen. Please do yourself a favor and listen.
I could recommend a million different versions of Defying Gravity with various different actresses playing Elphaba, but I will first recommend the original cast, with Idina Menzel (yep, Elsa from Frozen...) as Elphaba. And I have to throw out a recommendation for the incomparable Eden Espinosa singing No Good Deed.
4. Next to Normal
This one is only so low on the list because I cannot tolerate Alice Ripley's vocals. Next to Normal is an adult, edgy show and the every single song portrays ridiculously deep, mostly painful emotions. Not a good listen with kids around or if you're having a pity party. Definitely a good listen for anyone who thinks that musicals are nothing but fluff and romance.
This clip of Superboy and the Invisible Girl shows off the gorgeous harmonies in most of the songs... and here's I'm Alive, because who can get enough of Aaron Tveit?
3. The Lion King
It's no secret that the Disney film is one of my favorites of all time, so I was really hesitant to listen to the Broadway version. I mean, how can you top the greatest animated film ever? Well, they did. I found that I love the stage songs just as much, if not more than, the original movie songs. Circle of Life is amazing with the new arrangement. My favorite song, hands down, is Shadowland. Close second is They Live in You.
Check out the new lyric video for Shadowland! And here's a TV performance of They Live in You.
2. The Last 5 Years
Here's another lovely one not for kids and not about fluff. It's a love story told from the first date all the way to the divorce, but the wife tells it backwards while the husband tells it forwards. Brilliant concept. And it's a two person cast. The original cast recording with Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott is my favorite, although the Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe revival is still amazing. I am very much looking forward to the Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick movie version. I'm about to be that person with three versions of the same soundtrack on my iTunes. Anyway. This soundtrack is a total roller coaster ride and is heartbreaking from beginning to end. It's also easy to follow along with, as the majority of the story is told exclusively through the songs with very little dialogue in the show.
It's hard to pick a favorite since they're all so interwoven, but I Can Do Better Than That would probably be it.
1. Aida
This show is surprisingly not well-known for being a) a Disney show and b) with music by Elton John and Tim Rice. It's a Romeo and Juliet-esque story set in ancient Egypt to some rocking music. The original Broadway cast is an all-star cast with Adam Pascal (of Rent fame) as the leading male and Heather Headley (original Nala in The Lion King) and Sherie Rene Scott (from The Last 5 years and The Little Mermaid) as the two leading females. I have loved this musical for 10 years and I still cannot get enough of the gorgeous ballads, high belts, and soft Egyptian undertones.
Favorite has to be The Gods Love Nubia! But I also love Every Story is a Love Story/Fortune Favors the Brave. And, obviously, Written in the Stars. See? You can't pick just one favorite from a flawless soundtrack.
Okay, go listen to one or more of these fantastic recordings!
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