Musicals

I like musicals. This list is of some musicals that I watched in Japan and the UK (Place*time). Let's share memories!

The Commitments (London*1); This is a musical written by Roddy Doyle. The world premiere in 2013 at London's Palace Theatre. This is recreated from the 1991 hit film about an band manager and a group of working-class Dubliners who form a soul band.

Spamalot（London*1）; It's a hilarious musical comedy tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, ripped off from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). Title comes from a line in the movie which goes 'we eat ham, and jam and Spam a lot.' And probably spoof the name 'Camelot'; a castle and court associated with King Arthur as well?? The original 2005 Broadway production, directed by Mike Nichols, won three Tony Awards and received 14 Tony Award nominations. A London production opened at the Palace Theatre in 2006.

Billy Elliot (London*1); This musical based on the film Billy Elliot. The music is by Elton John. Billy Elliot was premiered in London's West End in 2005. It's a story about 11-year-old Billy Elliot who loves dance and wish to become a professional ballet dancer. His mother died and his father and older brother are coal miners out on strike. Billy's father send him to the gym to learn boxing, but Billy happens upon a ballet class that is using the gym. Dance teacher finds and believes he is talented to study at the Royal Ballet School, and Billy's passion about dancing changes his father's mind and his future.

A Chorus Line (London*1);The original A Chorus Line opened on Broadway on July 25, 1975. It became one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history. It's a story about an audition for an upcoming Broadway production. 17 dancers remain. The director is looking for four boys and four girls, and starts to learn more about dancers.

Les Misérables (London*2, Tokyo*1); This is based on the famous French novel by author Victor Hugo, which is said to be one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. This is one my favourite novels as well. It's about the life of ex-convict Jean Valjean who can't break from the past, and also other people's lives surrounding him. This musical opened at the Barbican Centre in London, England on 1985, and is the longest-running musical in the world. It was the first musical I watched in my life, and a memorable one. I was really touched... http://lesmis.com/

Miss Saigon (London 1, Tokyo*1); Miss Saigon is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madam Butterfly. It's a tragic love story between a Vietnamese girl and an American GI. The musical premiered at the Theatre Royal in London on 1989. A helicopter landing on stage have a tremendous impact and it was amazing! http://www.miss-saigon.com/

Movin' Out (Tokyo*1; Broadway casting); Movin' Out is a story of American youth growing up during the 1960's. It features the songs of Billy Joel. Dancing and songs make you really excited! It premiered on Broadway in 2002. I watched it in Tokyo in 2006, with many of the first national tour's performers!

Rent (Tokyo*1; Broadway casting); Rent is a rock musical, based on Giacomo Puccini's La bohème. It's a story about young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in NY, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. After productionsin NY, the show opened n 1996. The show's creator, Jonathan Larson, suddenly died the night before the off-Broadway premiere.

In the Heights (Tokyo*1; Broadway casting); In the Heights is about people who live in the vibrant community in Washington Heights. Lots of Spanglish, but this show provides some encouragement to you. After productions in Connecticut and Off-Broadway, the show opened in a Broadway theatre on 2008. http://www.intheheightsthemusical.com/

Cats (Edinburgh*1, Sendai*1); Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot. The show first opened in the West End in 1981, and on Broadway in 1982. Each cat has a unique costume and make-up, and dance performance. "Memory" has the most beatutiful melody in this show. I watched it both in Edinburgh and Sendai, but their sets and performance were different.

Mamma Mia! (Sendai*1, Tokyo*1; Japanese castings); Mamma Mia! is a musical based on the songs of ABBA, a internationally famous Swedish pop/dance group (1972-1982). It's a story about a mother, a daughter, and 3 possible fathers on a Greek island. The show is very comical and makes you laugh and feel more energetic. It was also made into a film in 2008, Meryl Streep plays role of a single mother, actually it made me surprised that she sings songs and dances in the film. The show opened in the West End in London in 1999. http://www.mamma-mia.com/

The Phantom of the Opera (Sendai*1; Japanese casting); The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux. Gorgious chandeliers and set in the Paris Opera House in the late 19th century, Christine Daaé's pure soprano voice and the Phantom brings you to the mysterious world. The show opened in the West End in 1986 and on Broadway in 1988. http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/

Beauty and the Beast (Sendai*1; Japanese casting); Beauty and the Beast is based on a Disney film. It's a story about love. The Beast must love Belle and win her love in return to become a prince again, or he will remain a Beast forever... I wonder how did the Beast change from the Beast to the Prince in a blink of an eye!

Evita (Sendai*1); Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It's about the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentinian president Juan Perón. The taste is a little bit different from other musicals, because it's a serious story. The musical opened in London's West End in 1978.

Lion King (Tokyo*1); The Lion King is based on Disney animated film (1994) with music by Elton John. It's a story about the growth of a young lion prince in Africa. The show opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1997, and premiered on Broadway in 1997. Costumes and make-ups are spectacular. Families can enjoy watching it.

Legally Blonde (London*1); Legally Blonde is a comedy musical, based on the American comedy film. See http://iadnes.blogspot.com/2011/09/legally-blonde.html and also http://www.legallyblondethemusical.co.uk/

Fela! (on National Theatre London on TV); Fela! is a musical based on music and lyrics by the late Nigerian singer Fela Kuti. The show opened on Off-Broadway in 2008. Sahr Ngaujah who play Fela Anikulapo-Kuti learned the way of walking and talking of Fela. The costume design is awesome! You can enjoy Nigerian taste and also feel energy and passion! http://felaonbroadway.com/

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