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Birthday Musicals playlist



How very self-indulgent. But if you can't be on your Birthday when can you? I go on a Birthday trip to the theatre every year, as close as I can to the day. Here are some musicals highlights from the last 15 or so years. Because I'm old as balls. 



 




 1. She Loves to Hear the Music- The Boy From Oz

Firstly, we stan a Queen SJB. Secondly, she's being LIZA. Thirdly, this was the year I moved to Montreal. I ran away to NY for my Birthday and clocked up the shows that took me to 10 times seeing this show. Zero regrets. 


2. As Long As You're Mine- Wicked

The only other show I saw that trip. Also zero regrets. And this is just a banger of a song. I will not be taking questions at this time. 


3. Louder Than Words

This one weirdly reminds me of my ex, but that's kinda ok, because we're friends (LESBIANS amirite?!) but also, I stand by this as my anthem for why we do this nonsense called theatre. I saw this show the month I moved to London to go to RADA, and well that seems apt. 


4. Springtime For Hitler- The Producers

We can't deny The Producers is hella problematic. And I've never found a single thing Mel Brooks wrote funny apart from this. But it IS a very well made musical. And I have pledged my life to loving Matthew Broderick, and Nathan Lane and I are kinda stuck with each other two. 


5. Luck be a Lady  -Guys and Dolls

Let us be real, Ewan McGreggor cannot dance for shit, but he is pretty. And this was a very pleasing outing at the theatre. And this musical is whichever way you look at it, sublime. 


4. Move on - Sunday in the Park with George

It's no secret this production did one hell of a number on me and Janny. And I listen to this one often. Particularly lately. 'Stop worrying if your vision is new, let others make that decision, they usually do' 

'Anything you do, let it come from you, then it will be new.' Life lessons from Sondheim there. I listened to this, through to the end of 'Sunday' putting this playlist together and I ugly cried.


5. The Next Ten Minutes- The Last Five Years. 

I saw the Chocolate Factory version with Lara Pulver and Damien 'will you marry me you sexy mofo' Humbley...Jamie is trash, but I maintain this song is a beautiful sentiment (especially for the commitment averse among us...ahem)


6. What About Us- John Barrowman 

One Birthday, I watched Barrowman do a concert in a field in North Wales in the pissing rain and it was amazing. Also this song is the first time I ever saw gay people in a music video. So points for that Barrowman. 


7. Legally Blonde- Legally Blonde

This is just a lovely musical. And I saw it close enough to my Birthday that year for it to count. 


8. Another Day- Rent

I should have been seeing Rent for my Birthday this year. Another pandemic had other ideas, so in the spirit of continuing indoctrination...ahem I mean education. Another Day which I think is a fantastic example of Larson's song writing and storytelling, it pulls together a bunch of musical themes, as well as being a point that literally pushes the plot forward. And I just really love the last refrains. 


9. I'm Here- The Color Purple

Why yes, I saw crazy Cynthia at the Chocolate Factory (for a while there, The Chocolate Factory a big feature in Birthday trips it seems). And what else but her belting her face off in this song? 


10. Great Big Stuff- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

This is just a damn good story that makes a damn good (underrated) musical. Even if you know the twist it's SO well played.  Also Norbert. And any song that manages to work the word 'Zamboni' in is underrated in my opinion. Bonus for 'Trump in musicals' bingo. Bonus for joke about how expensive Broadway tickets are. This song has everything man. 

11. Seeing You- Groundhog Day. 

We Stan a Hog ok? I also stand by my description at the time- it made me cry and feel such hope all at once in a way I can't describe still (terrible and awful all at once to quote another play). It is hands down one of the best things I have ever seen and I demand justice for the Hog. 

12. Rememb'ring You- Yank

This is just a lovely musical about gay soldiers. So on brand. Ugly crying included for free. 


13. Telephone Wire- Fun Home

Talking of ugly crying. I mean I ugly cried for more than 50% of this musical. The obvious songs to include are 'Ring of Keys' or 'Days and Days' and do look them up. But this one, this is the one that gets me particularly. For reasons. But also it's a brilliant piece of musical theatre writing. 


14. What Would I Do?- Falsettos. 

Firstly, happy anniversary to Ryan and I ugly crying across the theatre at each other. And to me sobbing into Chris Harper's shirt after. Second, I love this musical like one of my children. There's such depth to it, such importance. Watch the Lincoln Centre version and ugly cry too. But like, in a good way. 


15. Holding onto the Ground- Falsettos

Bonus. Because I can. I've spent six months singing this to myself just for the 'Everything will be alright' 


15. Don't Shoot For the Stars (Shoot Higher)- Eugenius

I swapped these chronologically because end on a high. God I love this musical. It's both so crap it's good and so utterly brilliant. And this song is a good message for another year around the sun right? right. 


16. Being Alive- Company

Not one I saw on a Birthday trip, but how else to end a 30-something Birthday playlist but with this? 

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