The Best Musical Soundtracks

I have always loved musicals. For me it was the music. More recently I have come to love not just the soundtracks but also the plot and its meaning. For that reason I wanted to list what are, in my opinion, the best musicals to date. These are in no particular order. 

Dear Evan Hansen

Summary/Meaning

• It explores the relationship of a family after suffering a suicide and handles the differences between anxiety and depression. It also discusses human loneliness and our need for human connection. 

Best Song

• “You Will be Found”

Cabaret

Summary/Meaning

• Set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, it focuses on the nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub, and revolves around American writer Cliff Bradshaw and his relationship with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles.

Best Song

• “Willkommen”

Mamma Mia

Summary/Meaning

• While the acting or the plot are well done, the music is what makes the movie what it is, amazing. ABBA is an amazing group from Sweden who’s music is the base of the entire movie.

Best Song

• “Does Your Mother Know”

Heathers

Summary/Meaning

• A story of high school cliques and staged “suicide”. It is dark but tells truths about the dangers of cliques and bullying.

Best Song

• “Candy Store”

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Summary/Meaning

• It is known as a “cult-classic” piece that explores the journey of Brad and Janet as they fund the creepy mansion of a cross-dressing scientist who creates a muscular man named Rocky.

Best Song

• “Time Warp”

Chicago

Summary/Meaning

• The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice. It is set during the Jazz-age and follows two women on death row who battle for fame and to escape their fate.

Best Song

• “Cell Block Tango”

Avenue Q

Summary/Meaning

• Avenue Q tackles issues like racism, homosexuality, and Internet pornography. The story of a college grad coming to New York and ends up with some quirky neighbors on Avenue Q.

Best Song

• “It Sucks to Be Me”

Falsettos

Summary/Meaning

• Story of a family where the father (Marvin) leaves his wife (Trina) for a man (Whizzer) and the wife becomes involved with her psychiatrist. Meanwhile, the son (Jason) gets stuck in the middle. The family must learn to come together through Whizzer contracting AIDS to support each other.

Best Song

• “What Would I Do?”

Book of Mormon

Summary/Meaning

• The play is a satirical examination of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ beliefs and practices that ultimately endorses the positive power of love and service.

Best Song

• “I Believe”

Honorable Mention

• Phantom of the Opera*
  • “When the organ starts playing it is physically impossible not to get goosebumps” – Christian Axemborg