5 More Amazing Opening Songs

I was thinking about some more opening songs not mentioned in my old top ten, and I wanted to discuss more opening I have discovered since that post. Openings are important, they can grip the audience and introduce you to the world of the show or maybe show important themes in the story soon to play out. So I picked 5 more openings that are a perfect way to start your day, start a project, or just relax.


5. What I Was Born To Do ( Bring It On The Musical): Introduces the cast well, has a great mix of comedy with great energy

4. Live In Living Color ( Catch Me If You Can The Musical): This one is a great introduction to the character in an unforgettable upbeat song.

3. I Got Rythm ( An American In Paris): Giant, wonderful tope tapping song, that makes you want to get up and move.

2. Waiting ( The Band's Visit): This song is beautiful, simple and great way to show off the cast and open this fantastic show, also showing off the beautiful, unique musical style. 

1. Carrying The Banner ( Newsies): With this show being one of my absolute favorites I will continue to find reasons to talk about it, I don't know what I was thinking this really should have been on the original list. This opening has character, heart, amazing choreography, wonderful lyrics, and a sweeping score. Even though it is not the very first song performed it is an opening number that really shows off the world and cast well.

There is another list down, I am certain I will revisit the topic as I discover more incredible openings.  Until then I hope your day is a showstopper

Brief Update

All of the title of the posts known as  " Judging A  Book By Its Album Cover" has been changed to " Judging A Show By Its Cast Album " I came up with the new title and thought it felt better, also it summed up the purpose of the series. That is all, until next time I hope your day is a showstopper

Musicals To Fight Winter Blues

It's January and we are two weeks into the new year but in many areas of the world including mine, the weather is completely dull in gray as we approach the second month of winter. So to keep people motivated including me to keep pushing on and not settle in for a long winter's nap. Here are a couple of musical soundtracks I recommend to bring some sunshine to this gray season. The shows listed contain predominantly upbeat songs. My reasoning is that these shows can help you stay upbeat and motivated even when the weather inspires an overall feeling of being passive. Enjoy the shows, some modern, some classic, and some with multiple adaptations.

Mama Mia

Newsies

Hairspray

Hamilton

In The Heights 

Bring It On

The WIz

Mary Poppins 

Aladdin

Music Man 

Until next time I hope your day is a showstopper

Musicals About The Arts

I was listening to " Sunday In The Park With George" yet again ( I promise I will listen to something new and review it soon), as I listened to it I realized that I love shows about creating and making art. Whether it is writing and producing a play, making art, or following an artist's life real or fictional is pure joy. I love songs that talk about the joys of creating or the struggles of creating. A song that details balancing your work with your personal life, the struggle of making something new, or the wonderful moment when the lightbulb goes off as you create something you are proud of. 

I hope to discover more shows that revolve around the arts or creating them, old and new. Two songs I recommend that embody the themes I just suggested would be: 

Opening Doors ( Merrily We Roll Along)

Putting It Together ( Sunday In The Park With George) 

There are many version of these two songs as well as a cover or two as well. These two songs really capture the high and low points of creating, they are two of my favorites, the former talking about writers and the latter following an artist at an exhibit, both song shaving the singers navigating trails and both written by Stephen Sondheim. 

Until next time I hope your day is a showstopper 

Crash Course Theater

Just as a heads up,  the wonderful education based youtube channel " Crash Course" has had a drama unit for some time now, I have finally got around to looking into it and it is great entertaining fun as well as education on drama history and styles. I highly recommend it, and who knows, if you check it out you may find enjoyment on the plethora of subjects that they have just completed or are currently covering. Until next time, I hope your day is a showstopper

Some Extended Thoughts On Disney Musicals

With the debut and the release of rights to " Freaky Friday" last year, I wondered if Disney will release any other musicals based on animated or live action movie whether it is a musical, to begin with, or not.  I wonder if we will see a revival of " Mary Poppins"  with the success and acclaim of "Mary Poppins Returns" So I figured I would discuss this idea and then some shows that I think we may see for one reason or another.

At the moment Disney is having a very successful Broadway run with it's adaptations of " Newsies" even more so with the filmed version hitting movie theahters twice before going to netflix and digtal stores. " Aladdin"  " The Little Mermaid", " Beauty And The Beast"  " Lion King" and now " Frozen" all proved that animated features could make a transition to the stage adding new songs or story elements to give the show a longer run time yet also retaining why everyone loved the originals. " Mary Poppins " had a good run as well on stage, but I was interested when " Freaky Friday"  did not go to a New York stage, but instead was playing in select cities, had a version taped for Disney channel, and released the performance rights all in the same year despite glowing reviews. I wonder if Disney will adapt and give smaller shows the same treatment as " Freaky Friday" saving larger scale productions fro the great white way.  Disney is also a unique factor to Broadway because they are able to have multiple shows running at once.

So with my summary out of the way, what stories do I think will get an adaptation? Here are a few as well as my thoughts on why they would be as well as the scale of the production. This is all just blind guessing, but why not, it's fun to guess sometimes.

Mulan: I feel like this would have enough nostalgic value, plus benefits with a longer running time to flesh out characters and add a couple more songs to make an unforgettable stage experience. The choreography would also be top notch, and yes there are some large-scale effects that could prove to be challenging but with the right team, I feel like this would fit right in with other animated adaptations.

Parent Trap: Yes I have mentioned this idea multiple times, but I really feel like it would work and be a cute family show. I would at least be interested to see the songs, what was changed, and what was kept the same. I could maybe see this going the same route as " Freaky Friday"

Tangled: This is one that I am very surprised has not been announced or tried yet, there would need to quite a few more songs added since the original only clocked in with eight songs and three of them being a reprise, there would be a lot more needed to fill out a three-hour show, but I feel the sets would be amazing and the movie is quite beloved so I am sure many people would love to see it on stage.

Alice In Wonderland: This story has been adapted multiple times and is quite beloved, why not the musical route... also the sets would be insane

So those are my thoughts, I am sure this will not be the last time I discuss Disney I love the company, bbut until next time I hope your day is a showstopper

January Broadway Recommendations

January, ushering in a new year and a feeling of freshness as goals are strives towards, discovered, it picked back up. With all the new years resolutions we need some musical songs to keep us going, so here are the songs I will be welcoming the new year with as I work towards my resolutions

Watch What Happens ( Newsies) 

Seize The Day ( L) ( Newsies)

Watch What Reprise ( L) ( Newsies)

Once And For All ( L ) ( Newsies) 

My Shot ( L) ( Hamilton) 

Schuyler Sisters ( Hamilton)

Nonstop ( Hamilton) 

I'd Rather Be Me ( Mean Girls The Musical) 

I See Stars ( Mean Girls The Musical)

Me and The Sky ( Come From Away)

Don't Rain On My Parade ( Funny Girl)

Open A New Window ( Mame)

Oh The Thinks You Can Think ( Seussical)

Opening Doors ( Merrily We Roll Along) 

Our Time ( Merrily We Roll Along)

Something's Coming ( West Side Story) 


Here are some classic and modern songs that are sure to inspire you, whatever your resolution is, I hope your day is a showstopper