I grew up in a musical family. My sisters and I dedicated our time to participate in our playhouse theater productions. Though I was not as passionate about theater as my sisters, I took my part in several productions such as Alice In Wonderland, High School Musical, Legally Blonde, Beauty and the Beast, and Mary Poppins. When retired from the theater to focus on athletics, I was still deeply immersed in the theater world.

I continued to attend my sisters’ productions and had the opportunity to see performances at the West End and Broadway. Though I detached myself from the musical world, it still has a special place in my music taste. I still find myself singing the catchy songs all the way through. The memory/experience you receive once you attend musical leaves an emotional attachment to the music. Musicals have the most emotional, clever, and impactful pieces of music and are the best genre.

Musicals can reach a wide audience, from child to adult, there is something for everyone. They also provide inclusivity within their audience. Spring Awakening is a mature musical that centralizes around the story of a group of German teenagers in the 19th century. With its mature themes of death, self-harm, sexuality, and religion, it appeals to the young adult and up.

On the other side of the spectrum, Wicked one of the most widely recognized and known plays in the theater world today. It tells the story between two witches, Elphaba and Glinda, and their journey to Oz. With its goofy humor and light-hearted love interests, it gives experience kids and adults can enjoy together.

Musicals also appeal to history enthusiasts, Hamilton, is innovative with its ability to display the story of our founding fathers through rap. As someone who was obsessed with the show in middle school, I can confirm it helped me learn US History.

Musicals are a great opportunity for kids to learn about touchy subjects such as: abuse, depression, anxiety, and mental illness. Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of a teen who suffers from social anxiety that pretends he befriended a dead student. He creates this fabrication unintentionally to grow closer to the boy’s family. Next to Normal follows a family whose mother suffers from bipolar disorder and how her illness affects herself and each family member.

With the diversity amongst musicals, it is impossible to find a show that does not suit your interest. Musicals are a great academic and entertainment opportunity. Musicals allow others to gain perspective from different walks of life and are all timeless treasures.