Broadway shows for Broadway haters

Broadway lovers are often caught gossiping about which show is the best, talking about their favorite performers, or singing their favorite musical theater songs. This often causes non-Broadway lovers to get the wrong impression about musicals as a medium: “Show-tunes” has a modern stigma that, frankly, is undeserved. Not all Broadway shows are the same; they all have different plots, music and themes. Based on what genre a person likes (horror, comedy, romance, etc), there is a way for non-Broadway lovers to find a show they’ll enjoy.

If you like comedy:

“Mean Girls- Broadway”

Get in, loser: The story of the Plastics, cheese fries and kalteen bars that everyone knows and loves has come to the stage. “Mean Girls- Broadway,” which opened in early April, is based on the 2004 cult classic. The musical has all the comedic aspects of the movie plus a new soundtrack containing catchy beats and important messages regarding high school, including bullying, love life and body image. Putting a big emphasis on social media, the show is relevant for the time period and relatable to today’s teens. With sarcastic humor and corny, yet hilarious jokes, mixed with everyone’s favorite high school story, “Mean Girls” is perfect for comedy lovers and people who do not love the traditional, old school broadway shows. 

“I loved how they had aspects of the movie and that it was funny and the songs were catchy” — sophomore Jordana Grey

If you like drama:

“Dear Evan Hansen”

If you need a good cry and want to learn a lesson about high school, bullying and love, “Dear Evan Hansen” is the show for you. “Dear Evan Hansen” is a story about  suicide, depression and loneliness that touches the hearts of each audience member. No matter who you are, there is most likely some way that you can relate to Evan Hansen and his struggles as he goes through high school. The music is beautiful and incredibly well written, the story is touching, and the characters are relatable, making the show a hit.

“You get to see how the kid got wrapped up so quickly. I thought the theme that you don’t know what is going on in someone else’s life was very interesting” — freshman Phil Seaver

If you have a twisted mind:

“Chicago”

This story of murder, revenge and provocative behavior is certainly not for everyone. But if you have a dark mind, then you should buy tickets immediately. “Chicago” takes place in a prison where six women are held for killing their husbands. The show takes a risk, having the cast members actually sit on stage when they are not in the scene, which makes the show more entertaining and unique. Although the show has been around since 1996, its twisted plot and the creative liberties it takes make it timeless and a clear cut choice for warped minds.

“The song cell block tango was really fun because they all had so much attitude. The actors in the show had so much energy the entire time.” sophomore Ashley Thomas

If you are a kid at heart:

“Aladdin”

Want to feel like a kid again? Check out “Aladdin the musical” which brings the beloved story of Jasmine, Aladdin, and Abu to Broadway. The show includes music from the movie, such as “One Jump Ahead”, and “Friend Like Me,” and also introduces new songs like “Proud of your Boy” and “These Palace Walls”. The dance numbers in the musical are extravagant and the love story is tear jerking. The show takes a movie that everyone knows and loves and sprinkles some broadway magic on it. If you want to feel nostalgic, but still want to see something fresh and new, fly on your magic carpet over to the New Amsterdam theater.

“I love the movie and the show was even better. I loved the dancing and the songs and the cool special effects” — freshman Lena Rondi

If you like non-fiction:

“Come From Away”

After the World Trade center was hit on September 11th, 2001, all aircraft currently in flight were forced to make an emergency landing. Because of this, 38 jumbo jets landed at Newfoundland Gander international Island. With a population of less than 13,000 the tiny island of Gander Newfoundland was taken over by foreigners. This fascinating setup is the hook for “Come From Away,” a musical that takes this incredible story and shares it in a manner that is touching, informative, and entertaining. The music in the show has catchy beats and lyrics that encapsulate the themes of the story.

“I didn’t know what to expect because I had no idea what the show was about, but I was surprised at how good it was. The music was catchy and I felt like the story line was different from all other Broadway shows I have seen.” –sophomore Tara Smith