Obviously I love history. (Given the name of this blog, that seems a given…) And I love musicals. Can’t sing to save my life but 8/10 days you will find me listening to a musical. And I am quite sure that it isn’t a stretch for anyone to guess that I love historical musicals. The twentieth and twenty-first centuries have been fantastic for historical musicals. Thankfully creators and composers see the value of the past, and how many stories still need to be told. So, today I’m sharing my top 5 historical musicals and why you need to be listening to them now!
If I had my way, we would all be immersed in history all of the time. However, the rest of the world doesn’t seem to share my opinion… Historical musicals are a wonderful way to get lost in history for a few hours, and support artists and creators at the same time! And just have a good night (or afternoon) out. If a musical is related to history in anyway, I’ve usually listened to it and watched the musical or film if possible. And these are my favourites! You will note that Hamilton isn’t on my list- I just can’t get into, it isn’t for me. (However, I am thrilled that so many more people are more interested in history because of it!) Now, onto my top 5 historical musicals…
The Sound of Music
An Austrian maiden must choose between secular and religious life when her convent sends her to act as nanny to the seven children of a stern navy captain . She falls in love with them, and with him, as Nazi storm clouds gather over her country.
What would a list of historical musicals (or any musicals?) be without The Sound of Music? I’ve grown up with The Sound of Music, and it will always have a place in my heart. I’ve actually not seen it on stage yet (though I will as of the end of 2020!) but I listen to both the film and the Broadway recordings on a regular basis. Maria is always played by an amazingly talented actress, and the children are always great fun as well. And I really enjoy that whenever you play this soundtrack, inevitably people will start singing along with you. (Because at some point, you are sixteen going on seventeen….) Bring on the goats!
My Fun Fact: I don’t understand why this is connected to Christmas at all; I actually watch it every year at Easter!
Favourite Song(s): “The Lonely Goatherd” and “My Favourite Things”
& Juliet
& Juliet is the irreverent and fun-loving musical that asks: what if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? What if she decided to choose her own fate? This is Juliet’s story now. So don’t tell her how it ends… (From Playbill)
I’ll admit, Romeo and Juliet is not one of my favourite Shakespearean plays, not by a long shot. There are a lot of stupid people who could have avoided a lot of things. And that’s pretty unromantic. However, & Juliet opens up a whole new set of choices. Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife argues for Juliet’s freedom, and the resulting adventures make for a fantastic musical. And I am here for jukebox musicals, especially one that takes all of the pop music of my childhood and brings it back. It is currently on the West End in London, but I’m realllllllly hoping for a North American transfer.
My Fun Fact: I discovered this show through Grace Mouat, the original swing Queen for Six the Musical!
Favourite Song(s): “I Want It That Way” and “Domino”
Anastasia
Inspired by the beloved films, Anastasia transports audiences from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an ep
ic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. (From Playbill)
Oh, Anastasia. If you haven’t been following along on my blog recently, I finally saw Anastasia in Toronto in December 2019, and I fulfilled a childhood dream. I received the movie for my 9th birthday, and from then on, I’ve been entranced by royal history. And given the level of interest in the Romanovs, so are many others. It is still one of my favourite movies, but I have to admit, I now the musical even more than the movie. The touring cast in Toronto was amazing, and the new songs in the musical are so strong. (The musical has a much more fleshed out storyline than the movie.) My one regret is that I didn’t see the original Anya/Anastasia Christy Altomare perform this on Broadway, but she is on the cast recording! Also, this show has some of the most gorgeous costumes that I’ve ever seen- the red dress is made of dreams…
My Fun Fact: Seeing the original Anastasia film is what led to my love of history, and everything that has resulted since!
Favourite Song(s): “In My Dreams” and “Journey to the Past”
Moulin Rouge! The Musical!
Set in Montmartre Quarter of Paris, France at the turn of the century, a world of indulgent beauty and unparalleled extravagance, of bohemians and aristocrats, of boulevardiers and mademoiselles, Moulin Rouge! The Musical tells the fictional story of an ambitious, lovesick writer, Christian, and a dazzling, entrancing chanteuse, Satine. Their lives collide at the Moulin Rouge with its many characters including the host of the Moulin Rouge, Harold Zidler, the brilliant and starving artist Toulouse-Lautrec, the greatest tango dancer – and gigolo – in all of Paris, Santiago, the tempting Nini, and The Duke of Monroth, the wealthy and entitled patron of the club who thinks he can buy anything he wants, including love. (From Playbill)
Moulin Rouge! The Musical! is actually a newer favourite of mine, but it’s a solid favourite now. (Yes, two jukebox musicals made the list!) I have to admit, it isn’t one of my favourite movies- I enjoyed it but I won’t go out of my way to watch it. Baz Luhrmann does some incredible productions (Romeo + Juliet, anyone??) but MR is just an okay for me. However, the musical takes it to entirely different level. I really enjoy that they took several songs from the movie but have also incorporated songs that have been released in the seventeen years since. And the theatre in New York looks UNREAL. The show is over-the-top and elaborate and loud, but would anything about the Moulin Rouge ever be quiet? I’m hoping I can catch this in Chicago or Minneapolis on their 20-21 tour, fingers crossed.
My Fun Fact: I actually danced to tracks from the original Moulin Rouge film when I was younger!
Favourite Song(s): “So Exciting! (The Pitch Song)” and “Backstage Romance”
Six the Musical
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the wives of Henry VIII take the mic to reclaim their identities out of the shadow of their infamous spouse—remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an exuberant celebration of 21st century girl power. (From Playbill)
My list of top historical musicals could never be complete without Six the Musical. It’s hard to believe that it only debuted in 2018, but now that we are in 2020, Six has literally taken the globe by storm. The West End, Broadway, Australia, cruise ships, and more tours. I was lucky enough to see the original West End cast in February 2019 at the Arts Theatre, and the now-Broadway cast at their Canadian premiere in Edmonton (twice)! This is everything I love in one place- royal history, a musical, and pop music. While it isn’t 100% accurate, I love that it has given a voice to the women often dismissed for the larger-than-life king they happened to all marry. It’s also just a lot of fun, and one of the best shows that I’ve ever seen, across all musicals, dance, and theatre. And of course, everyone has a favourite Queen: 10 points if you can guess mine!
My Fun Fact: I listen to Six at least 3 days a week, usually more!
Favourite Song(s): “All You Wanna Do” and “I Don’t Need Your Love”
So, what are your favourite historical musicals?
Cheers,
The Historian
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I love the list I just have one question if it’s ok. I noticed there’s no Les Misérables. Whilst I understand that people don’t tend to know that the June Rebellion actually happened and we don’t learn about it in school. It has actually happened, it lasted 2 days but still Lafayette resigned bc he didn’t want to tell soldiers to harm the rebels. That’s actually the last thing he did we know about (at the very least me at the time of writing this). So if you have an opinion on the musical it would be lovely to hear it
Oh, that is down to personal preference! I have to admit, I cannot stand the musical 🙁 It was ruined for me before I ever saw it- I had to read the novel in the original French for AP French, and do the accompanying history. (So now I associate it with panicked French translation haha!) Les Mis, 1776, and Hamilton are brought up a lot 😂 It certainly is a classic musical, though! Happy listening 🙂
Great choices! I also really like Chicago. Musicals are so much fun.
Chicago is also a lot of fun!!
Great post! I grew up in NY playing in High School Musicals using the scores we would get from Broadway – in high school! I know so many songs by heart. Your blog brought back lots of fun memories. Also, thanks for letting me in on the new musical “Six. the musical.” I may need to make a trip back to NYC soon.
Oh, that sounds amazing!!
I would have loved to have more exposure to musicals- I can’t sing, but I would dance in them when I was younger and it was a lot of Fiddler on the Roof haha. And Six is amazing!! You can see a lot of clips online, and there will be another Chicago production in the spring 😊