#since parade is literally about Jewish people and the cast r Jewish

[tarotmantic]

HAPPY (belated) WORLD THEATRE DAY

Ben Platt did a little shoutout for every member of the Parade cast in honour of the occasion on his Instagram story. This is part 1 of 3.

[theinglenookheir]

Musicals that deserve more love

Since I really only see the same few musicals being discussed on Tumblr, I wanted to recommend a couple of shows that I think deserve a little more attention, as well as links to the soundtracks.

1) Lizzie (2013) by Tim Maner [book/lyrics], Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer [lyrics/music], and Alan Stevens Hewitt [music]

An all-female rock opera about Lizzie Borden and the possible events leading to the 1892 Fall River axe murders. Recommended for fans of Six, Spring Awakening, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. 

Listen to the cast recording here.

2) The Light Princess (2013) by Tori Amos [music/lyrics] and Samuel Adamson [book/lyrics]

Overwhelmed by the kingdom’s grief after her mother dies, Princess Althea of Lagobel resolves to never let sadness weigh her down and literally float through life without a care. This becomes an issue, however, when Lagobel wages war with a neighbouring kingdom, forcing Althea to fulfill her duty as the future queen. Recommended for fans of Wicked and R&H’s Cinderella.

Listen to the original cast recording here.

3) Five Guys Named Moe (1992) by Clarke Peters [book] and Louis Jordan [music/lyrics]

After his alcoholic tendencies ruin his last relationship, Nomax is visited by the members of his favourite jazz band, who magically appear out of the radio to help him get his act together. Recommended for fans of Company and jazz music in general.

Listen to the original Broadway or London cast.

4) Alice By Heart (2019) by Duncan Sheik [music], Steven Sater [lyrics/book], and Jessie Nelson [book]

While seeking shelter during the London Blitz, best friends Alice and Alfred are forced to separate when Alfred is quarantined due to tuberculosis. Knowing her friend may soon die, Alice reads him Lewis Carroll’s famed novel through the wall to allow them one last childhood escape. Recommend for fans of Spring Awakening, Next to Normal, and Jasper in Deadland.

Listen to the original cast recording here.

5) Lizard Boy (2015) by Justin Huertas [book/lyrics/music]

Due to a childhood incident that mutated him into a human-reptile hybrid, Trevor finds it difficult to trust other people. He is forced to step out of his comfort zone, however, after meeting Cary, the sweet but promiscuous man of his dreams, and Siren, a psychic willing to do whatever it takes to protect the city from an oncoming dragon attack. Recommended for fans of Be More Chill, Fun Home, and [title of show].

Listen to the cast recording here.

6) Allegiance (2015) by Jay Kuo [music/lyrics/book], Marc Acito, and Lorenzo Thione [book]

Following the attack on Pearl Harbour, Keiko and Sammy Kimura are sent to the Heart Mountain internment camp with their father and grandfather. While Sammy attempts to prove his family’s loyalty by enlisting in the army, Keiko gets involved with protests against the treatment of the camp’s inmates. Recommended for fans of Miss Saigon, The Band’s Visit, and Dogfight. 

Listen to the original Broadway cast recording here.

7) Ragtime (1998) by Stephen Flaherty [music], Lynn Ahrens [lyrics], and Terrence McNally [book]

The matriarch of an upper-class white family, a Jewish immigrant, and an African American musician turned activist find their lives inexplicably entwined while dealing with the societal changes in New York during the early twentieth century. Recommended for fans of Les Miserables, Come From Away, and Anastasia.

Listen to the original Broadway cast recording here.

8) Passing Strange (2008) by Stew [music/lyrics/book] and Heidi Rodewald [music]

A young black musician leaves his Christian household in Los Angeles and travels to Europe in hopes of finding “the real.” Recommended for fans of Pippin and American Idiot.

Listen to the live cast recording here.

9) The Scottsboro Boys (2010) by David Thompson [book], John Kander [music], and Fred Ebb [lyrics]

An all-black cast re-imagines the infamous trial of nine African American youths falsely accused of raping two white women in the 1930s as a minstrel show. Recommended for fans of Chicago and Parade.

Listen to the off-Broadway cast recording here.

10) Follies (1971) by Stephen Sondheim [music/lyrics] and James Goldman [book]

A group of former showgirls bring their husbands to a reunion at the theatre where they used to perform, which is scheduled for demolition, and remember their glory days. Recommended for fans of A Chorus Line, Cabaret, and Sunset Boulevard.

Listen to the original Broadway or London cast or the National Theatre recording.

11) Venice (2014) by Matt Sax [music/lyrics] and Eric Rosen [lyrics/book]

In a dystopian society torn apart by war and terrorists attacks, Venice (son of the late activist Anna Monroe) decides to marry Willow Turner (daughter of the assassinated president) in an attempt to peacefully reunite the nation; however, his brother, Commander Markos, is determined to ruin the wedding to keep the public fearful and in line. Recommended for fans of Hamilton.

Listen to the original cast recording here.

12) The Wild Party (2000) by Andrew Lippa [music/lyrics/book] / Michael John LaChiusa [music/lyrics/book] and George C. Wolfe [book]

Based off the 1920s poem by Joseph Moncure March, Queenie and Burns host a party for their fellow vaudevillians in an attempt to save their floundering relationship. As the night goes on, however, the party dissolves into a murderous orgy. Recommended for fans of Cabaret.

The show is notorious for having two adaptions that coincidentally premiered at the same time: one by Andrew Lippa off-Broadway and one by Michael La Chiusa on Broadway. Listen to the Lippa version here or the La Chiusa version here.