Show Tunes: A Countdown

I'll admit it right now, I'm a Gleek aka a fan of FOX's show Glee. If anyone tuned into last week's episode Broadway stars turned TV mom and daughter Idina Menzel and Lea Michele did a stunning duet of Les Miserables' "I Dreamed a Dream". One of the best things about Glee in my opinion is it brings some deserved attention to Broadway performers and performances. I've seen quite a few musicals growing up, Les Mis being my personal favorite, and it occurred to me why not make a blog post devoted to musicals. Here's a list of songs from musicals with links to youtube performances; I encourage everyone to check them out even if your not a fan of show tunes. Some say Broadway is on its way out, but in my opinion, there's always something more to sing about.

TOP TEN MUSICAL NUMBERS:

10. Superstar - Jesus Christ Superstar

A musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is about the last days of Jesus' life and is quite an intriguing, modern interpretation of the biblical tale. The clip above is from the 1973 film starring Ted Neeley as Jesus and Carl Anderson as Judas. My parents both saw Neeley and Anderson reprise their roles on stage when the musical toured to Spokane several years ago, and just this last year, my sister up in Anchorage saw Neeley perform the role as well. What I like about Jesus Christ Superstar, and in particular this song, is that its like nothing you've seen before regarding the story of Jesus. If you like JCS, I'd recommend Godspell which has similar music, coming to Broadway only a year later.

9. Tomorrow - Annie

I don't know anyone who doesn't like this song. All right maybe some don't like it, but they at least know of it and get it stuck in their head all the time. I can't quite think of a more endearing song, and I've been listening to it since I was a kid, growing up with the 1982 movie. In this clip the original Annie, and the best in my opinion, Andrea Mcardle sings "Tomorrow". Interestingly enough, Sarah Jessica Parker took on the role of Annie as a kid, which I believe you can find on youtube as well.

8. Jellicle Song For Jellicle Cats - Cats

Do not watch the clip if you are scared of cats or worse humans in cat costumes. The musical Cats based on a book of poems by TS Eliot is an oddball musical that has in its feline frenzy become the second longest running musical on Broadway behind Phantom. What I like about this song is that it makes me want to dance or at least tap my foot. The beat works and the choreography is well done. Cats more than anything is a fun-loving musical, taking a serious turn only with the famous tearjerker "Memory".

7. Music of the Night - Phantom of the Opera

Speaking of Phantom, here's the most heart rendering song from what many consider to be the greatest musical in history. Another work of genius by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this clip portrays originals: Michael Crawford as The Phantom and Sarah Brightman (then married to Webber) as damsel in distress or bewitchment Christine Daae. The melody and lyrics are simply beautiful and are handled perfectly by Crawford's tenor voice. Oddly enough Brightman looks like more of a freak show than the Phantom. Hmm...

6. Somewhere - West Side Story

The clip features the voices of the original Tony and Maria in the Romeo and Juliet inspired musical West Side Story. I'm not going to spoil the story entirely, but I will say, having grown up with the film version of this musical as well, that it always gets me emotional. Reri Grist nails the part of Maria... so there Natalie Wood.

5. I Still Believe - Miss Saigon

A reworking of the opera Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon tells the story of a love story between an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl forced to work as a prostitute. "I Still Believe" is my favorite song from the musical, as I think it captures the tense, naively hopeful yet bleak reality of the situation that befalls the lead characters. This clip features the original cast including most notably Lea Salonga in the role of Kim.

4. No Day But Today - RENT

Here's a clip from the film version of RENT, featuring all but two of the original cast members from the 1996 Broadway performance. This song is inspiring for many reasons, if you've seen the musical you know the story, and it becomes very emotional as a result. I actually heard this song at a funeral not too long ago, though it was done as a solo performance and was much slower. Still, the message is clear. CARPE DIEM is the argument being made here.

3. Defying Gravity - Wicked

Some say that the premiere of Wicked in 2003 saved Broadway from looming doom. The musical was an instant hit, and has been running strong for the last seven years. I know this is going to sound weird, but my family has a lake house that used to be something of a resort on Lake Coeur D'Alene and it was Wizard of Oz themed. So if there's anything that comes my way that's Oz related I usually see what I can find out about it. I was skeptical about the Wicked Witch being portrayed as a protagonist until I listened to the song and realized hey, she's just a bit of a rebel. The clip features originals Idina Menzel (the Witch) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda) performing at the Tony awards. Gotta love the emerald.

2. Send in the Clowns - A Little Night Music

The clip features the beautiful and multi-talented Glenn Close singing perhaps one of the saddest songs I've heard entitled "Send in the Clowns". The character of Desiree is an old woman reflecting back on her life, particularly recent disappointments that she's faced. Its a song of regret, but also letting go. The soft melody, the way in which its song, or simply voiced is compelling. You feel for this woman who talks as if she should be laughing when there's nothing funny about her situation.

1. One Day More - Les Miserables

There is not one song in this musical that I do not like, but "One Day More" is supreme. I used to listen to the soundtrack before I went to bed in grade school (I was a bit of a drama queen), but this one in particular always got to me. Whether it makes you want to sing or do something, "One Day More" has such a powerful combination of voices and stories from characters who are about to face great change, many for the worst. Its a song about inevitability, about ultimately taking a stand for something whether it be freedom, a cause or a loved one. The clip features many of the original players, particularly Colm Wilkinson as Valjean and Lea Salonga as Eponine. If this doesn't give you goosebumps I'm not sure what will.

Hope you enjoyed this list and more importantly some music! And just a reminder in case you haven't seen the billboards around town; Wicked will be in Spokane next May!