Guilty Pleasures II: The Last 15 Years

Guilty Pleasures II: 

The Last 15 Years

Today's article actually came about because a similar article that I posted 15 years ago was trending last week. 15 years! (Find that HERE.) Time sure flies.

Anyway, over the years there have been several shows that were either not well-received at the time or were shorter run shows that I loved so much. I guess I like movie-based musicals more than I admit to. I guess that's why they are "guilty" pleasures! Here are ten of those:

 

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (2011)

What's not to love about such a crazy story full of eccentric characters? Laura Benanti as a coy airhead singing a rapid-fire number, Patti LuPone fellating a lollipop while belting from a bungee cord swing, and a bewigged Danny Burstein driving a taxi cab are but three fond memories I relive every time I listen to the cast recording of David Yazbek's delightful score! 15 years later and I love this flop as much as ever.

 

Lysistrata Jones (2012)

Maybe it was just too clever for mainstream Broadway audiences, but this smart modern take on the classic drama, set in a college, with basketball, cheerleaders, a couple of geeks, and one fabulous goddess delighted me to no end. We loved it off-Broadway, where is was performed in an actual gym, and we loved the upgrade. And how could you not love Patti Murin, Josh Segarra, and Alex Wyse? Oh, and the score is just as much fun to just listen to all these years later, too!

Hands on a Hardbody (2013)

I loved this show so much, I saw it twice - not bad considering it only managed 28 previews and 28 performances! I was thoroughly invested (both times) and, like the rest of the audience, I ooh'ed and ahh'd with every loss of a grip on that red truck. Another score full of great tunes and interesting lyrics. What I remember most is loving Keith Carradine, Keala Settle (what a belt!), and being completely smitten with Jon Rua, Allison Case and, of course, Jay Armstrong Johnson.

Rocky (2014)

You know, I still don't get the outright hate this show got when it was on. Was it a great musical? Not especially. But it was a blast with the Aherns-Flaherty score was really good ("Raining" is one of the best show tunes of that decade) even with that broken nose song. And it was a thrill of a lifetime to be on stage cheering on Rocky! And for the record, Andy Karl looks as great up close as he does in pictures!

Finding Neverland (2015)

Another show that I just don't get why there was so much vitriol aimed at this show. I loved every single thing about it...well, almost. The asides and the Cheers reference took me out of it briefly, but largely, I was enraptured from the minute Tinkerbell flew around during the overture, and audibly sobbed at the devastating final moments. And it had one of the absolute best special effects I have ever seen. Who knew pixie dust and some well placed fans could be so breathtaking?

American Psycho (2016)

I am still pissed that this show ran for such a short time. I found it to be utterly brilliant in every way. Duncan Sheik's score still amazes me, including some really sharp re-interpretations of classic 80s songs ("In the Air Tonight" and "Don't You Want Me?" were particularly thrilling). But the song "Selling Out" is still among my all-time favorite show tunes. Ever. And I'd be remiss not to share my love for Alice Ripley's entrance perched atop a blood red washing machine, and Benjamin Walker's ,um, physique. While everyone was orgasmic over Hamilton, I was (and still am) Team Psycho. 

Amélie (2017)

I went into this one blind, knowing nothing whatsoever about it. So maybe a blank slate allowed me to reveal in its sweetness, charm and unabashed theatricality. But I did go into it knowing I had always enjoyed the work of Pippa Soo, Adam Chanler-Berat and Tony Sheldon. I was charmed and delighted by the whole thing, and still rank "When the Booth Goes Bright" among the best Broadway songs of the decade.

Head Over Heels (2018)

I was only familiar with The Go-Go's biggest hits, not their deep cuts. But if you know me at all, you know I love quirky, and this was one crazy ride! Even more so, I thrive on shows that know what they are and don't shy away from it. The message was poignant, the casting historic, and the staging joyful from the very first downbeat. If nothing else, this is the show that introduced most of us to the 8th Wonder of the World, Bonnie Milligan. 

West Side Story (2020)

I was prepared to hate this. After all, West Side Story is a classic and iconic and one of my all-time favorites. How dare they try something that didn't include Jerome Robbins or "I Feel Pretty"! But this modern take, the staging and the truly jaw-dropping videography made me love the show in ways I had never thought about before. It was the the ultimate re-imagining. Damn you, Covid! I'm thankful to this day that I got to see it (even if Isaac Powell was out that day; I had the honor of seeing Jordan Dobson as Tony - a terrific discovery).

Almost Famous (2022)

Had to believe this already four years ago! Screw the critics, this was one excellent show. The score, the story, the staging...it was awesome from start to finish. IT was the show that brought us Casey Likes and star turns from Anika Larsen, Drew Gehling, Chris Wood and Solea Pfeiffer. We saw it from the front row, and watching how it all came together was a singular experience. 

What are your musical guilty pleasures? Drop us a note on social media! (@jkstheatrescene)