Theater: Broadway’s Biggest Hits: A Guide to the Best Musicals of the Past Decade
Broadway’s Biggest Hits: A Guide to the Best Musicals of the Past Decade
The past decade has seen some truly memorable and groundbreaking musicals take the stage on Broadway. From classic revivals to original productions, there has been no shortage of incredible performances and breathtaking shows to choose from. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the biggest hits of the past decade and what made them stand out among the rest.
Hamilton
It’s impossible to talk about the biggest hits of the past decade without mentioning Hamilton. This revolutionary musical, with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the story of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. With a diverse cast and a blend of hip hop, jazz, blues, rap, and R&B, Hamilton has had audiences and critics alike raving since it first premiered in 2015.
Not only did Hamilton win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a record-setting 16 Tony Awards, but it has also had a massive cultural impact, introducing many people to the story of Alexander Hamilton and the founding of our nation. It’s a must-see for any theater fan and continues to be a wildly popular show on Broadway.
The Book of Mormon
Another big hit of the past decade is The Book of Mormon, a musical comedy with music, lyrics, and book by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone. This irreverent and hilarious show follows two young Mormon missionaries as they try to spread their faith in a small village in Uganda.
Despite its controversial subject matter, The Book of Mormon has been a critical and commercial success since it opened in 2011. It won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has consistently been one of the highest-grossing shows on Broadway. With catchy songs and a sharp sense of humor, it’s a must-see for anyone looking for a good laugh.
Hadestown
Hadestown, a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell, is a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice set in a post-apocalyptic world. It first premiered off-Broadway in 2016 and made its way to Broadway in 2019, where it became a huge hit.
With its immersive and innovative set design, stunning music, and powerful performances, Hadestown has won over audiences and critics alike. It took home eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has received widespread praise for its creative interpretation of a classic story.
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations is a jukebox musical that tells the story of the iconic Motown group. With a book by Dominique Morisseau and a score made up of hits by the Temptations, this show has been a hit with audiences since it opened on Broadway in 2019.
Featuring dynamic choreography and strong performances, Ain’t Too Proud has received widespread acclaim and won three Tony Awards, including Best Choreography. It’s a must-see for fans of the Temptations and anyone who loves a good musical biopic.
The Band’s Visit
The Band’s Visit, a musical with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Itamar Moses, is a heartwarming and beautiful show that tells the story of an Egyptian police band that becomes stranded in a small Israeli desert town.
This show first premiered off-Broadway in 2016 and made its way to Broadway in 2017,where it quickly became a fan favorite. With its moving story, beautiful music, and strong performances, The Band’s Visit has won over audiences and critics alike. It took home 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has received widespread praise for its touching portrayal of human connection and understanding.
Come from Away
Come from Away is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein that tells the true story of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which welcomed thousands of stranded travelers after the 9/11 attacks.
Since its Broadway debut in 2017, Come from Away has received widespread acclaim for its heartwarming story and impressive performances. It won seven Tony Awards, including Best Direction of a Musical, and has become a fan favorite for its portrayal of resilience and kindness in the face of adversity.
Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansen, a musical with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Steven Levenson, is a poignant and thought-provoking show that tells the story of a young man struggling with mental health and social isolation.
Since its Broadway debut in 2016, Dear Evan Hansen has received widespread acclaim for its powerful performances and moving story. It won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has become a fan favorite for its portrayal of the complexities and struggles of modern adolescence.
Conclusion
The past decade has seen some truly incredible and groundbreaking musicals take the stage on Broadway. From Hamilton to Dear Evan Hansen, these shows have won over audiences and critics alike with their innovative approaches to storytelling, memorable music, and powerful performances. No matter what your taste in musical theater, there’s something on this list for everyone to enjoy.