When I know that I am annoying my non-theatre friends because I go on long tirades about shows, performers, composers, and performances, I know I have too much information in my head. This is a passion project of mine to get what I know out in the world, and something I can reference later in life.
I can’t actually pinpoint the moment I learned who Laura Osnes was. I do know that one time I was listening to the Scott Alan: Live album, and the most heartbreaking song I ever heard was being sung so beautifully. “Now” is one of my favorite pieces, I have written before about it, as I am ALSO obsessed with J-Groff’s version that appears on Scott Alan’s Dreaming Wide Awake, but Laura’s voice on this, brought me to tears (I was on a city bus, too… so that was awesome).
From there, I officially entered the Osnes fandom when I heard her on the Bonnie & Clyde cast album. Some of the music affected me, made me dance a little, made me tap my toes, and adont get me wrong, I love Jeremy Jordan, it was really Laura Osnes singing “Dying Ain’t So Bad” that made me stop everything I was doing, and just listen, and feel. I thought about those words. I thought about the genius that is Frank Wildhorn, and I thought about the power behind her vocals, even when she was barely making sound. It was truly astounding. I was totally hooked!
When I listen to vocal performances, I look for something that is going to move me. I need something tender, or bombastic, or profound to stop me in my tracks, and to keep me coming back to a show, or a song again and again. I generally find these sorts of complexities in women’s voices more often then with men, and it’s why I am drawn to the likes of Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald, Lindsay Mendez, Kerry Butler and Laura Osnes. It’s not even the “screlting”, or the coloratura styled high notes that impress me, these women make me feel life when they sing. I cry, I laugh, I smile uncontrollably, and it’s like a drug-fueled high, that’s the dragon I find myself continuously chasing.
Laura Osnes and Patrick Hinds of the Theater People Podcast January 26, 2015, the Theater People Podcast their 30th episode which was recorded live at Fontana's Bar in New York City as part of the NYC Podfest
Well, shortly after my obsessive listening to the Bonnie & Clyde cast album on a loop did I discover the Theater People Podcast (that’s theater with an “E-R”) and listened to her be interviewed by my now personal idol, Patrick Hinds. Their interview was fun, funny, tender and above all else interesting. I listened to the Cinderella Revival which I love (Santino Fontana? Yes, please!) And rediscovered my love for Anything Goes!
I also found that she popped up in a few other musical theatre recordings that I love. Kerrigan and Lowdermilk’s “Our First Mistake” has her dueting with Meghann Fahy and also on the “K-L Live” album singing ‘The Girl Who Drove Away’. She’s everywhere!
As far as being with her from the beginning, the idea of the show “You’re the one that I want” as a tv show bugged me to begin with, so I kind of steered clear of it all together. I am a huge fan of the original stage version, but now that I know that Laura won, and also that Lindsay Mendez was in the cast, I regret my choices. I have since listened to the cast album, and relieved my personal connections with that score. I’m glad she was such a fan favorite, and I can totally see why.
I guess this was inevitable considering Hamilton was dropped
late September. NPR does like NPR likes to do, and offered the entire album to
stream and to enjoy the week before the entire album was available for digital
download and purchase.
I listened to it all in one stretch while doing some other
things, thinking I could absorb it through osmosis. Some songs stuck out to me
(“Helpless”), some specific parts stuck out to me (Angelica rapping in
‘Satisfied’), and some music just hit me in all the feels (the ensemble singing
“Quiet Uptown”. I’m actually getting goosebumps just typing about it,
honestly).
Fortunately for anyone who loves Musical Theatre, there is Facebook,
and my circle of friends started buzzing almost immediately:
“Can I See This RIGHT
NOW!”
“First '1989' was released, and now
this?!? I'm in heaven.”
I wanted to take this opportunity for
anyone who just needs MORE to suggest some shows. So, in the spirit of Buzzfeed:
If You Love Hamilton, You Might Want to Check Out These 8 Cast Albums
If
you like Hamilton for the History:
1776 - This is probably the obvious choice, and
also the one that I am probably not the most qualified in discussing, in that I
don't actually know it very well. However, this show is LITERALLY about the
construction of the Declaration of Independence. Also, I just learned that Alexander Hamilton did not sign the Declaration
of Independence; he was considered a Founding Father due to his role in framing
the Constitution. The show won the Tony in 1969 along with several others
fairly prestigious awards
Ragtime - I personally think that Ragtime is one of
the best, most emotional musicals I have ever seen and heard in the time that I
have been obsessed with musical theatre. Aherns and Flaherty brought to life
the 1975 novel that tells 3 very different stories about three groups in the
early 20th century and the struggles the faced. Although the main characters in
the show are fictions, there are plenty of real-life characters in the cast who
lend a voice, including Harry Houdini, Evelyn Nesbit and Emma Goldberg
Keep an eye out for a young Lea Michele
Parade- A heartbreaking true story about Leo Frank
who had been accused of raping and murdering 13 year old Mary Phagan in
Marietta Georgia. The show follows his arrest, subsequent trial, sentencing,
and unjust death. It is rumored that Director Harold Price turned to Jason
Robert Brown after Stephen Sondheim turned the project down
Lin-Manuel
Miranda is the composer for you:
In the Heights - I take back my statement about 1776… The
obvious choice for your listening pleasure if you love Hamilton is In the
Heights. This show highlights the life and loves of a group of neighbors in Washington
Heights over a few days featuring a score of hip-hop, R&B, salsa, and good
old fashion Broadway. LMM has written and spoken extensively about what In the
Heights means to him, and what it means to Broadway. His starring as the main
character, Usnavi, got him a Tony nomination for Best Leading Actor in a
Musical, and he also won for his composition of the score for the show.
Bring It On - Working with Tom Kitt and Amanda Green,
Miranda composed this show loosely (and
I MEAN LOOSELY) basing it on the 2000 film starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle
Union. I only recommend this show if you have already listened to, and fell in
love with both In the Heights and Hamilton. Finding the same music licks and
ensemble cadences in the score is so much fun (even though this was before
Hamilton, but whatevs)! Also, cheerleaders! Important sides note about this
show, it holds the first time a transgendered character was featured in a
musical on Broadway.
Contemporary
Pop shows rock your ear-buds:
bare: a popopera - Hamilton has an
amazing score that is basically entirely sung through, and I love that. bare: a
pop opera also utilizes this model with a contemporary pop score (obvi) and has
a lot of emotional highs and lows with a Romeo & Juliet-esque twist. There
is also a rap (yeah, only one) and a Rave dance (remember raves??)
Venice - This is a “new to me” musical that I really
want to share with everyone! It came to me as an “If you love Hamilton, you’ll
love” and I DO!! It also stars Leslie Odom, Jr. and features a score with a lot
of Hip-hop and R&B. Uzo Aduba is also KILLING it in the cast recording. It
touches on a lot of emotions, and tells a very interesting story that focuses on the dystopian near-future fictional
city of Venice as it struggles in the grips of war. And I love me some
dystopian future stories. Not going to lie. Jennifer Damiano also stars in this
show that has some roots in Othello
Bloody, BloodyAndrew Jackson – Originally developed
as an experimental theatre project, BBAJ tells Andrew Jackson’s story through
Rock & Roll and Pop. The show
redefines America’s seventh president, the man who invented the Democratic
Party and doubled the size of our nation, with a raucous blend of outrageous
comedy, anarchic theatricality and an infectious rock score. The plot tracks
Jackson from the death of his parents as a child through his initial struggles
as a general to the loss of his wife Rachel. Fun Fact, Meryl Streep’s
Son-in-law Benjamin Walker starred as the rock star himself on Broadway.
Honorable Mention
Dogfight – In a fictional story that takes place in a Vietnam
era San Francisco this show based on the 1991 film starring River Phoenix andLili Taylor. The Folk-pop score by Pasek and Paul was probably my favorite
BEFORE Hamilton took over my life, but I still love it. Even though it’s not
something that actually happened, and it’s not a hip-hop score, it is amazing,
and I just assume everyone will love it the way I love it.
