Top Ten Musicals Every Twenty-Something Needs to See

Hey kids! Sorry for the lack of posts. We’ve been busy over the holidays, starting new jobs, planning new adventures, saying goodbye to husbands, showing off for guests. And I wish I could say we’re back for good but I know my year is starting off fast, planning for this grand euro adventure I leave for in less than a month. But I do promise to try and while I don’t have tons of time to ponder the deepest questions of 20something life at the moment I do have time to make a list! My last few months have been musical heavy and I want to share it with you! So without further adieu I give you my list of

Rent: Young adults trying to find meaning in their lives while dealing with things like aids and addiction. If they can find love and meaning so can we.
Avenue Q: I saw this for the first time a few months ago and I can’t seem to get the puppet songs and lessons out of my head. It’s about a 20-something recent graduate with a BA in English attempting to live on his own and boy oh boy does it hit home. There is a fine, fine line between creepy and awesome when it comes to puppets and this show is nothing short of awesome. Remember everything is only for now.
Spring Awakening: This is more of teen angst story, but the music by Duncan Sheik is haunting and heartfelt. What do you do when it feels like you’ve failed? How do you go on when you don’t have all the information? Why are we here? Twenty-somethings are just even more freaked out teens anyway.
How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying: It’s about a guy trying to climb to the top. Sure it is set in the 50s but it was tongue in cheek even then. I dare you not to relate to his story. The is totally a brotherhood of man.
Book of Mormon: Music, Mormons, and morals. What more could you want?
First Date: Now I actually haven’t seen this show but seeing as the soundtrack has been top on my list for the last month I think it’s Safe(r) to say this one is a keeper in my book.
South Pacific: This musical is an oldie but a goodie and while it has gotten mixed reviews over its 60 year run no one can deny it’s universal themes of acceptance and love. It seems hard to imagine that interracial couples were ever taboo and maybe if we see this show enough we’ll feel the same about gay couples in a few years. Besides, Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair is a classic that no one should miss out on. “You’ve got to have a dream, if you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?”
The Adams Family: Okay, okay so I haven’t actually seen this one either. But with Wednesday falling in love with a boy who writes poetry and Lurch singing and dancing how can it not be wonderful?! One Normal Night is pretty much as 20-something as life gets, we’re all just hoping for one perfect moment.
Wicked: At its core this show is about best friends growing up. With themes examining prejudice and success, this show is guaranteed to get you thinking about your life and the steps you’ve taken to get there.
Carousel: This musical is packed with advice about how and why to live but there is no question my favorite quote is, “There is nothin’ so bad for a woman as a man who thinks he’s good.” We’re all doing our best; there is no room for arrogance unless you’re helping bring others up with you. Carousel is THE classic all 20-somethings should see, also I just love this beach dream sequence.