Thursday 11 July 2019

My Honest Opinion On Each Musical I've Seen

I've been lucky enough to see quite a few different musicals over the last few years after completely falling in love with all things theatre in 2016. From Wicked which was the first show, to Waitress being the latest, each musical has been varied but each so special in their own way. Though I've reviewed each one on my blog I've been wanting to do something like this for a while where I sort of go through a few thoughts I've had about each show since. Sometimes I find months on, I'll completely re-think some things or a certain song will become a new favourite after hearing it live, so whilst this might be something most people aren't interested in, I'm gonna talk about it anyway.
flatlay of musical programmes, magnets, pins

Kinky Boots

I've kind of put all of the shows in to an order of my favourite but really it's so hard to decide! I think Kinky Boots will always, always be at the top though. We saw this twice, and I would honestly see this on every trip to London if it hadn't closed because it's one I would just never get bored of. It's just one of those shows I feel so passionate about, every time I hear the songs or I see something online (it's currently touring so try and catch it if you get chance!) I just remember why I loved it so much in the first place. I've lost count the amount of times I've listened to the cast recording, re-read my reviews and thought back to seeing the show. It just makes me unbearably happy. I'm already waiting for the day it returns to the West End.
Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre, outside sign

Come From Away

This is a very, very close second to Kinky Boots, because I can't even tell you all the emotions it makes you feel throughout. You wouldn't think a show about the stranded planes and people during the week of 9/11 could be uplifting but Come From Away is the most beautiful piece of theatre. It's heartwrenching at times, I pretty much cried from the start, but it's also incredibly heartwarming and it shows just how good people can be sometimes. I left the show wanting to be a better person and like I mentioned in my review, a show that makes you feel like that, is a special one. The music is just everything in this too, from the very first beat in Welcome To The Rock, which genuinely makes you feel like you're part of this new family, to the last note in the finale, which makes you jump to your feet. I have to see this again one day, it deserves a long run at the Phoenix Theatre.
Come From Away collage

Waitress

This musical really surprised me actually. I'd loved the Waitress soundtrack for a good year or so, which meant I was so excited when it was announced that it was transferring to London, but then there were a few casting decisions which seemed a little odd and there was a lot of negative attention on social media. Because of this I kind of went into it not knowing what to expect. Of course I wanted to love it, but it's hard not to feel a little unsure when there has been so much negative stuff said. Luckily it was everything I hoped it would be and more! I actually think people have been very unfair towards the show and whilst behind the scenes it all seems a bit of a mess, what you get on stage is amazing. What we saw was a fun show that will having you laughing til it hurts, but then ready to burst into tears at other times, mainly due to Katharine McPhee's powerful portrayal of Jenna. Given Katharine isn't a huge name over in the UK, I did think it was a strange casting choice at first but she completely proved me wrong and won me over. I now feel so lucky that I got to see her in her first West End show. Her voice is just heavenly! It's another show I hope, despite everything, will have a long life over here. I need to time to go back again!
The Waitress stage at the Adelphi Theatre, London

Hamilton

This was a real 'pinch me' moment. Though the Hamilton soundtrack took a few listens for me to really start to get my head around the story, once I got it, I was fully invested and it was like a dream of mine to see the show. Luckily we managed to get tickets for our 1st wedding anniversary in December and to be honest I struggle to see what will beat that for the next few years. We wanted to do something special and this was it. The whole thing just felt like a real moment that I know I'll remember. We had the most amazing seats, we had the full cast on who were all out of this world, especially Sifiso Mazibuko whose portrayal of Aaron Burr will stay with me for a long time, and the emotion that I felt was just on another level. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried and cried towards the end, as did many other people around me, and though other shows have of course made me emotional (I just have a lot of feelings okay), this really was something else. I feel so lucky that we got to see this at all, yet alone on such a special day. I don't think it's one we'll rush to see again just because I honestly don't think that performance can be topped and I want to remember that for a little while longer.
Hamilton collage

Wicked

I feel bad that this show has kind of slid to the bottom of the list but that's not because it was bad or anything like that. In fact because it was the first musical I ever saw I think it will always be special but since then we've just seen others that I've loved for different reasons or have moved me more. It will always mean a lot to me because it was the show that really sparked something in me and made me realise what an amazing world the theatre one is and honestly, I don't know what I'd do without it now. We had such a fab cast both times we saw the show and the second time was Rachel Tucker's last show so the atmosphere was nothing like I'd experienced before at the time. It's another show like Hamilton that I don't think I'd want to see again just yet unless the queen herself Rachel decides to return, the way she played Elphaba - I just can't imagine enjoying it as much with anyone else in the role.
The Wicked stage, at the Apollo Theatre, London

Heathers

The atmosphere in the theatre for Heathers was actually insane. Some of the audiences we've been part of for shows like Kinky Boots and Wicked have been up there but the night we saw Heathers, the fan girls were out in full force. I have still never seen a show like it in that regard. This was another show like Hamilton that I genuinely never thought we'd get to see. It was all of a sudden over in the UK and then in the West End and all so quickly so it's only by chance that we had a last minute trip to London in October and ended up getting to see it. It was a great show, we got see Carrie Hope Fletcher as Veronica who really surprised me and it was actually a lot more fun than I was expecting. Looking back now, it is quite teen and compared to some other musicals, just because of the set and a few other things, it maybe did feel a little amateur but I'm certainly not complaining that I got to see it. Just probably not one I'd be straight away booking tickets to if it ever comes back.
Heathers the musical collage
I feel so lucky to have seen the amount of shows we have over the last few years and hopefully they'll be many more to come. Some I'd love to re-visit and some brand new that I hear are on their way over to the West End! I'd love to know what the best musical is you've ever seen? Have you seen any of these too?

Similar - My Top 10 Hamilton Songs After Seeing The Show // My Ultimate Musical Playlist

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24 comments

BreakfastAtShelbys said...

I'm going to see Kinky Boots in October, so to see it at the very top of your list is making me extremely excited!

I was also extremely lucky when it came to Waitress, as it was a last minute choice during my trip to New York (we was originally going to see Mean Girls). Shoshana Bean and Jeremy Jordan were playing the lead roles at this point and they were absolutely phenomenal. I still have the soundtrack on repeat, the songs are so catchy and fun! I agree about the casting choices for the London shows, however, I'm a massive fan of Lucie Jones, so I think I may just have to purchase a ticket and see for myself whether the casting was a no no or not! x

AlishaValerie said...

I was in a couple of musicals at school as I took drama and music as some of my subjects and really enjoyed them. I think the best musical I have ever saw is "Our Day Out" witten by Willy Russell and of course the amazing Avenue Q. If you haven't seen them then I really recommend them! Sending you all of the love! 💜

With love, Alisha Valerie x | www.alishavalerie.com

jennyinneverland said...

The only one of these I've seen is Wicked! I've been meaning to watch the film Heathers though!

Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com

Lisa's Notebook said...

I would love to see both Wicked and Kinky Boots, they are very much my kind of musical. Sadly I couldn't justify the cost and time out to travel to London for them so I guess I'll have to wait for them to go on tour again. Great round up, Tiffany, thank you for sharing!

Lisa x | www.lisasnotebook.com

Heather Nixon said...

The only one of these that I've seen is Wicked and I loved it x

Tea Time and Books said...

I absolutely loved Hamilton when I saw it last October!! I'm actually going to be seeing it again next week, along with Waitress and Come From Away. I'm so glad that you enjoyed both of them so much, because I've seen mixed reviews for both which dampened my excitement a bit, but after reading your post, I'm super excited about it again!!!

Taylor
www.teatimeandbooks.com

Joy said...

I've only ever seen Wicked but would love to see more.

Lady Writes said...

I loved Wicked and I really want to see The Waitress as I loved the film x

Sophie said...

Come From Away sounds incredible yet I'd never heard of it before reading this! I've haven't been to that many musicals, should probably see a few more X

Sophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk

Imogen's Typewriter. said...

I haven't seen many musicals but Chicago is 100% top of the list for me. I had a blast!
Imogen’s Typewriter. <3

Daisy said...

This is such a good idea for a post! I've not seen too many musicals but I've seen a couple such as Fame and Gypsy! I really want to see Come From Away, Waitress and Heathers!

Can I do a similar post crediting you? c;

Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived

Tiffany Timms said...

Aww yay I'm so excited for you! I hope you love it as much as I do. I'd love to see Waitress again and see what Lucie Jones is like! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Ooh I haven't seen either of those! Thank you Alisha xx

Tiffany Timms said...

I love the Heathers film! I need to watch it again soon xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Thank you Lisa! Shows in London have become so much more expensive recently so I think especially now with having Bear, we'll be seeing ones closer to home instead. Hope you get to see Kinky Boots one day! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Wicked is such a great show, loved it both times we went xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Ahh I'm so jealous Taylor! That's like my dream week. Both Waitress and Come From Away are brilliant, I'm sure you'll love them both! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

There are so many I'd love to see in the future xx

Tiffany Timms said...

I really enjoyed the Waitress film, so glad I watched it before seeing the show aswell. Hope you get chance to see it one day :) xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Come From Away is so special, I hope it sticks around for a long time xx

Tiffany Timms said...

I'd love to see Chicago one day! xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Yeah of course Daisy! Looking forward to reading yours :) xx

Tabitha Courtney said...

I absolutely LOVE musical theatre! So much so, I'm part of an Am Dram Society! Kinky Boots will always remain my all time favourite musical! It connected with me like no other musical has done before! I even went to the final show and pretty much cried (with the cast) from start to finish! I really want to see Waitress and I have heard so many great things about Come From Away!

Really loved this blog post!

Tabitha ♥ http://www.latenightsandlattes.co.uk/

Karalee Shotola said...

I'm a bit jealous that you've seen so many great musicals!
Out of these I've only seen Wicked with my parents YEARS ago, which I absolutely loved! The most recent musical I saw (which was about 2 years ago) was We Will Rock You & I liked since it had one of my favorite Danish singers as lead role. However, the live band played so loud that it was difficult to hear the vocals.
I would love to seen another musical though like Hamilton since I've been hearing A LOT about it.

Karalee
Tales of Belle

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