My 5 Favorite Moments in Musicals

This past weekend Rock of Ages hit the big screen. Unfortunately most of the reviews have been negative. I can't help but think these opinions are from people who either don't enjoy musicals or people who don't enjoy the 80's. There are a lot of both kinds of people out there. Rock of Ages was facing an uphill battle before it ever hit theaters. Of course, the thing that people tend to forget about both musicals and the 80's is that they are/were completely over the top and cheesy, and that's what is/was so great about them!


I haven't seen Rock of Ages, on stage or on screen, but I do love the cast of the film and cannot imagine that I would leave the theater with anything other than a huge smile. Just thinking about it makes me want to crank up the soundtracks to some of my favorite musicals and re-watch my favorite scenes from them. I recognize that what I'm about to do could be polarizing and cause great debates, but I just have to go out on a limb and give you my top 5 musical moments (on stage or film).

Puerto Rico...America...wherever Rita Moreno is, that's where I wanna be!

5. West Side Story-America-Movie
I can pretty much recite every note to this musical from the beginning whistles to the ending overture. Many of the musicals of the last 20 years have easter eggs in their lyrics that shout out directly to this masterpiece. The Romeo and Juliet story is tragic, but there is one moment in this musical that is so full of fun (and cultural awareness) that it stands out for me. The song "America" starts out like any conversation between friends that soon turns into a playful pissing match. The young men and women from Puerto Rico "argue" back and forth about the pros and cons of being in America. The men take the side that they are mistreated, the women promote that it's full of opportunity for them. The result is an upbeat dance number with hilarious rhyming one liners exposing the lingering racism and hopeful promise of the "land of the free." It's beautifully choreographed, brilliantly written, and maybe the last moment of pure happiness in the musical.

Hide your face so the world will never find you!

4. Phantom of the Opera-Masquerade-Stage
I've seen POTO on stage about 7 times. It's the only musical I've seen on Broadway. I will always take the opportunity to see it if it plays near me. It's magical from the first bang on the auction block to the last decrescendo of the minor to major chord progression. And the fact it's about theater gives it another layer of complexity. The ballads are unforgettable, the lyrics and overlapping melody in "Notes" is maybe one of the greatest musical feats ever completed, but the most fabulous and breathtaking scene in the musical is "Masquerade." The colorful and ornate costumes and sheer size of the cast is overwhelming. But what really does it, is the moment the cast breaks out singing in unison, the orchestra falls away, letting the voices boom out, punctuated by a bass drum and high trumpet. The scene is truly phenomenal. And just at the height, the Phantom enters breaking up the celebration with his demands for a new opera. Chilling. I couldn't find a video for this one that I could embed here. So Youtube it yourselves here!

I guess an 8th sibling would mess up that perfect staging.

3. The Sound of Music-So Long, Farewell-Movie
I had a great childhood. It was easy, trauma free other than the occasional cut or scrape, and full of love. But I would have traded it all to be one of the Von Trapp siblings with a nanny like Julie Andrews (as Maria OR Mary Poppins). It's hard to choose just one scene from this musical that encapsulates the greatness of Maria. "My Favorite Things" displays her kindness after the kids are so mean to her. "Do-Re-Mi" might prove that she's the best teacher ever. And "The Lonely Goatherd" is the most fun anyone has ever had in a musical. But "So Long, Farewell" is kind of every kid's fantasy. You show up at your dad's dinner party, put on a little show, and have every grown-up in the room respond to you. How many times did my cousin and brother and I attempt this feat? Hundreds. But it never quite went down as sweet as this.

To going against the grain, going insane, going mad!

2. Rent-La Vie Boheme-Either
I loved Rent the first time I heard the music, but when I learned the story of Jonathan Larson, the creator of the musical, it became my favorite hands down. Never has a life purpose been so clear, Larson lived so Rent would be written. The content is raw and in your face as it deals with AIDS, drugs, homosexuality, and the gap between the squatting poor and corporate America. It's the story of struggling artists trying to make their way in life without selling out to a 9-5 job that will just pay the damn rent. I get that struggle. I respect it. A lot of sad things happen in this musical, but right after a successful night of protest, the gang of friends goes to the local diner to celebrate with wine and beer, and are met with a former friend who has sold out. That's where "La Vie Boheme" begins, citing every fabulous thing that this subculture stands for from "Sondheim to Sontag to anything taboo." There are entire websites dedicated to this song and the many references in it. Some might think it's offensive, after all it does quote the Bible in ways you might not have heard before, but it's definitely an unforgettable moment in the musical. Oh, and if you don't know the story behind Rent and Jonathan Larson, go read about it right now. Go. Now. No day, but today.

And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free!

1. Wicked-Defying Gravity-Stage
I will gladly admit I have a thing for Idina Menzel. In Rent, in Wicked, in Glee...in anything. But her best role is this one. The story of Wicked is kind of the story of my life. I am not a witch, I'm nothing you've heard...(sorry, a little political humor there...) But seriously, I can relate to having the right motives, the right goals, and being completely misunderstood in the process of getting there. I am Elphaba. If you've seen the musical, then you know there is nothing that compares to the moment when Elphaba and Galinda are trying to decide how to proceed with the information they have about the Wizard. "Defying Gravity" is the song they sing before they part ways, realizing that while they want the same thing, their methods of achieving justice are vastly different. Just as Elphaba is about to be seized by the guards who are after her, she mounts her broom and is raised up into the sky. The lighting and costume make her seem all powerful in that moment, and she belts out the most remarkable ending to any Act I, I have ever seen as she becomes the "Wicked" Witch.

Go ahead...I know you don't agree with me, so name yours. 

What's your favorite scene in a musical? Tell me all about it!