Hi guys! I’ve got a serious amazing giveaway ahead. Like, in my honest opinion, my favorite giveaway I’ve ever had the opportunity to do. Don’t miss out!
A few weeks ago I was invited to a special blogger night at The Lion King on Broadway. Before I became a fitness fanatic and marketing professional, I was a high school theater dork and then a theater major at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Getting to attend a musical as a blogger? Literally my two worlds colliding AND a dream come true. Jeremy was pretty excited too because he got to reap the benefits and be my date for the show. It’s the least I could do considering all the blog photos I make him take of me 🙂
The show was, of course, magnificent. I’ve seen it a few times now– back in 1998 shortly after it opened with the whole fam and 3 or so years ago as a belated Valentine’s gift to Jeremy. I swear the costumes and stunning visuals never get old. I’ve seen a lot of broadway shows (and I do mean a lot) but the opening number with Circle of Life is hands down one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Afterwards we had the opportunity to look at some of the masks close up and talk with the actress currently playing Nala. I always love hearing how people “got their big break” and was surprised to hear that she had no professional theater credits when she auditioned. Hey, maybe I can make a comeback in the theater world and get my big break in a few years…
I don’t talk about theater here too much but I frequently get asked for theater recommendations from friends and family. My special skills are naming what fitness studios are within a 2 block radius AND being a musical theater database.
Looking for a great musical currently on Broadway? Here’s what I recommend.
Your whole family will be there, including grandparents and young children… The Lion King. Kids will love it because they’re familiar with the music + story (I assume kids still watch 90’s Disney movies these days?) and adults will be totally amazed by the intricate costumes and scenery.
You can’t get tickets to Book of Mormon… Avenue Q [okay this one is technically off-broadway, but had a successful broadway run too!]. The humor is equally as crude, if not even a bit more ridiculous than Book of Mormon. I’ve seen the show a number of times since it opened and still find it hilarious yet touching at the same time.
You’re in the mood for a good cry… Fun Home. This year’s Tony Award winner total deserves all the praise it’s received, it’s both powerful and devastating.
You have a lot of money to spare… Hamilton. And you’re also willing to wait 6+ months. But like, I couldn’t not include Hamilton.
You’re in the mood for a feel good musical… Kinky Boots. You know you’re going to have a good time at the show Cyndi Lauper wrote.
You want something different… Spring Awakening. Half the cast of this revival is deaf. The way sign language and the literal inability to communicate verbally is used creates a powerful new lens for an already edgy storyline. I love this new production way more than the original a few years back.
You just want to watch incredible dancing… An American in Paris. Prepared to be dazzled by the complicated choreography and seriously talented dancers.
GIVEAWAY
I’m giving away 2 tickets to see The Lion King on Broadway Wednesday, February 24th at 7PM.
TO ENTER: Tell me your favorite musical OR show tune in the comments. No judgements 🙂
Giveaway ends 12/16 11:59PM. GOOD LUCK!
Terms + Conditions:
My favorite musical is Wicked! but I’ve never seen the Lion King! 🙂
“This is the moment” from Jekyll and Hyde
Congratulations on the marathon!!
Book of Mormon and Avenue Q
My fave is Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamboat. It was the first musical I ever saw and I spent the next two years singing it in my best friend’s basement. It seems antiquated now and I’ve seen a lot of better shows since, but you never forget your first!
… Wait how did I not know this about you. I’ve been obsessed since my brother was it in when I was 6 and used to act out the musical with my toys
Hahahahaha it’s questionably un-cool facts like that that I don’t shout from the rooftops. So happy I’m not alone! #solidarity
Well I’m a sucker for anything Shakespeare but if we’re going down the musical road I’d have to say Cabaret is my favorite
Les Misérables!
Fun
Home!!!!!
Kinky Boots for sure! So feel-good and I love the colors and spectacle.
Gypsy! Because all kids should be exposed to a play about strippers? No but seriously, it’s my favorite musical, I watch it all the time, and saw it on Broadway as a child. It gives me all the feels.
I’ve actually yet to see this one, though I hear it’s amazing! I’ve been to a number of musicals, and most have been absolutely amazing for different reasons. I still think my all-time fave has to be Les Mis — such a classic. But ask me tomorrow, and my answer would probably be different.
Because I’m a dancer: “Solidarity” from Billy Elliot
Because I’m a child of the 90’s and Disney: “If I Can’t Love Her” from Beauty and the Beast
Because I’m a geek: “Now And For Always” from Lord of the Rings
Because I’m a good gay: “Memory” from Cats
Everyone knows this, of course, but… Sweeney Todd.
Eugh – only ONE?!? This might be too hard!!!
My top three are:
– Into the Woods
– The Secret Garden
– Next to Normal
If I had to pick only one ….. Into the Woods! I have too many dream roles in it to not pick it! ☺️
No judgments? Hope so… I have to say Phantom of the Opera because I saw it right after I moved to NYC 20-something years ago and it’s all tied up in the “I can’t believe I live here” feeling. I’m also a sucker for Rent, same reason….
Has been…and always will be….Rent.
Hi Kayla!!!
Oh jeez I haven’t seen The Lion King since my dad took me for my 9th birthday…I’d love to see it again.
If you follow my incessant statuses, you’d probably expect me to say Finding Neverland. While that’s easily my favorite show currently on The Great White Way, my favorite musical ever is…you ready for it? It’s Reefer Madness. Betcha nobody else mentions that one…
Wicked’s “defying gravity”
I can’t help it, I have seen the show five times and get goosebumps every time she goes up on her broom.
Also, mamma Mia because it was the first show I saw with my grandma 🙂 we still love to see shows together (last one was cabaret)
Wicked is my favorite! I also really enjoyed If, Then.
Circle of Life from the Lion King! I’m a Disney freak and that’s hands down the best scene of all time.
Jesus Christ Superstar! (Which I preformed in!)
My favorite musical is Annie!
HAIR is my favorite musical with Rent being a close 2nd. Both mean so much to me. Story, music, message….they have it all!
OH NO…it’s the question we Broadway lovers fear the most. I suppose…if I had to choose just ONE…Phantom of the Opera always comes out on top. I saw it for my second time (yes, I’m a poor college student and I consider a second time to be quite miraculous) this summer, and I maintain that it’s the most magical show I’ve ever seen.
…and yes, I’ve seen Wicked (but we’re not talking about top ten, so that’s a show for another day, huh?)
Wicked is my favorite musical!
Rent is my favorite musical!
Chicago The Musical was my fave!
The first show I ever saw on Broadway was Mamma Mia! and I absolutely loved it. But I have to say Wicked because it amazed me.
As you know I can listen to a lot of cast albums on repeat but in recent years it’s definitely been Heathers and Violet that I keep going back to. And of course Rent will always have my heart 🙂
Spamalot!
Well, Les Mis was my favorite as a kid, then there was Rent and Wicked… Now There is Hamilton. Lin Manuel is amazing and I can’t wait to see this musical again and again.
Rent is my favorite, I think I saw it 5 or 6 times. I’ve never seen The Lion King on Broadway, definitely on my list!
The Secret Garden is definitely my favorite.
So so so love finding other HLBs that love musical theater!!
yessss musical theater all the way!