"That would be a particularly bad review if you were struck by a falling set piece and still said that the songs were the worst part of your evening."

I'm dying!

Sara Bareilles really is the perfect example of the pop star to Broadway composer.

I actually did get to see Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark as one of four shows on my one and only trip to New York. It remains simultaneously one of the most incredible pieces of theatre I have ever seen and easily the worst musical I have ever seen. It’s still hard to comprehend how it can be both but it was. The visuals were absolutely beautiful. The staging was stunning. But the plot was a mess, nothing made any sense and I’d forgotten every single song by the time I left the theatre that night. It was so bad. I can’t even explain how bad. But seriously breath taking too. Such a confusing experience!

Yes, Waitress!
It's SUCH a shame that Waitress opened in the same season as Hamilton, because Sara really deserved a Tony for that score.

The death of Duncan Sheik was so unexpected and really hit me (even more so than Dolly). It's not an exaggeration at all to say that discovering Spring Awakening when I was 14 changed the trajectory of my life. I think the OBC of Spring Awakening might be my all time most listened to album, and I really have to thank Spring Awakening for putting me on the course for the career I've had in musical theater. It really moved me seeing so many of the original Broadway cast and national tour cast members posting the lyrics of Those You've Known in memoriam for Duncan Sheik, especially since I had decorated my notebooks in high school with those same lyrics.

I actually first came across Anaïs Mitchell for her folk recordings, specifically her recording of Tam Lin. Was so confused when I first listened to Hadestown and went to the artist page n saw I already had a song saved 😂

Aida is one that I go back to quite often. Heather Headley singing that score is gorgeous.

Yes totally agree that we need a revival of Aida.

rest in peace duncan sheik. spring awakening was possibly the most meaningful piece of media ive ever consumed.

I know it didn’t last long on Broadway, but I LOVED Barry Manilow’s score for “Harmony” when I saw it a few years ago!

The Color Purple was co-written by Brenda Russell best known for her song "Piano in the Dark", which made it's way into the dance scene thanks to samples.  Todd in the Shadows has a good video about her career.

Oh what the hell! 😭 I didn’t know Duncan Sheik passed away a few days ago! 😭 I liked Spring Awakening, but I saw a musical called “Whisper House” by him that premiered here in San Diego. Absolutely loved that one.

She Use to Be Mine is on par with You are Your Daddy's Son from Ragtime. Both epic stand-alone songs from musical theater.

What a great idea for a video.  I love the score of Chess.  To get more Aida, how about Aida at NY City Center Encores in a season or two?  Hadestown!  Yes!

the Hadestown concept album was one of my favourite albums when it released, so my brain literally broke learning that it became an actual musical on broadway lol I felt like SUCH a hipster. I don't believe in gatekeeping but I am pretty happy to say "I was here first" haha

Oh man. I love Duncan Sheik. I did not know that he had a career in Broadway or that he had passed away. I am very sad to learn about his Broadway work so late and to hear of his passing. Wow.

Duncan Sheik's debut single "Barely Breathing" lived on the Billboard charts for over a year.  Is arguably my favorite song of all time.  Another song he wrote that was really beautiful was "Wishful Thinking" that was part of the 1998 film adaptation of Great Expectations starring Gwyneth Paltrow & Ethan Hawke.  Both worth the listen for those unfamiliar.

I’ll never forget hearing the radio version of Rise Above from Turn of the Dark playing in the grocery store I worked at from ages 16-20  on the in store radio. To work in American retail in the late 00’s

Side note- I love Aimee Mann but had no idea she'd written songs for a musical! She did a wonderful job with the soundtrack for the film Magnolia. She reminds me of Alanis Morissette meets Sarah McLaughlin. Hopefully you can check out some of her music since you liked the music you heard from Girl, Interupted the musical!

Thank for the Memphis love. It’s just gorgeous, and I’m not saying that because I grew up in the namesake city. That musical is moving and amazing.