Theatre
Tune in for our top musical hits
Tune in for our top musical hits
In Australia we are spoiled for choice when it comes to musical theatre. If a show is a big hit on Broadway or the West End we can expect to see it on our shores. And, of course, any musical worth its salt will be jam-packed with amazing songs. To celebrate some of the incredible musicals currently touring in Australia, we have compiled a list of the most-iconic and most-popular songs in musical theatre. Over the next week we will reveal – in no particular order – three of our favourite show tunes each day. The first three are below; stay tuned for more great songs over the coming days.
Wicked – Defying Gravity
Defying Gravity is the signature song of the musical Wicked and was composed by Stephen Schwartz. The song was originally recorded in 2003 by Idina Menzel, the actress who played Elphaba in the musical’s premier on Broadway. The song also features two small duets by Glinda, the other female lead in Wicked, which was originally played by Kristin Chenoweth. The inspiring song comes at the end of Act 1 and the climax features several special effects. Wicked is currently playing at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre and Australian Jemma Rix is receiving great reviews as Elphaba and for her performance of Defying Gravity. Wicked will open at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre on September 25.
Click here to purchase tickets to Wicked in Melbourne or Sydney.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g4ekwTd6Ig
Les Miserables – I Dreamed a Dream
I Dreamed a Dream is the best known song from Les Miserables, the musical based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name. The music was written by Claude-Michel Schonberg with original French lyrics written by Alain Boublil and English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. Sung by character Fantine in the first act, I Dreamed a Dream is a touching song that has been covered by many popular artists including Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin and Michael Crawford. Other well-known performances of the song include Susan Boyle’s audition for Britain’s Got Talent and Anne Hathaway’s version in the movie version of Les Miserables.
Once – Falling Slowly
The signature tune of Once is the moving and uplifting song, Falling Slowly, which was written, composed and performed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. It won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song after it was included in the 2006 film, also called Once. In 2011 the film was adapted for the stage and was performed off-Broadway before making its Broadway debut in 2012. The Melbourne season of Once will premiere in September at the Princess Theatre.
Click here for tickets to Once – a new musical.
