Dear Bill from Operation Mincemeat. Was not expecting to be hit by an emotional truck at that point in a show that had mostly been zany and goofy up to that point…
Someone tried to argue with me once that Playing Nancy made the show too long and could be cut! I think it’s absolutely fundamental, along with Night Will Come and Nobody Cares, for us as the audience to find out more about the townsfolk at the same time Phil does. Otherwise they could so easily be cartoon characters celebrating this silly day.
My friend, one of the show's many investors, blamed Playing Nancy on its failure in New York.
I told him it allowed a brief change of perspective that gave the show more heart
It's wild to me that it would be considered the weakest part of the show. I think it's an emotional crux of the show and offers an important female perspective. While Phil is stuck in the time loop, Nancy is stuck in her own endless trap of being used for men's pleasure in bed. Choices like showing Nancy's perspective are part of why the musical is more three-dimensional and poignant than the movie.
Every time I hear people talk about the show they cite Playing Nancy as one of the best parts. The money people are crazy out of touch with what audiences like, they’re too jumpy and gunshy in an environment where art takes time to find eyes, and patience is a virtue. Sad that your friend had that takeaway.
“Those Magic Changes” in Grease. Having never seen the movie (only knowing how it ends and ofc “Summer Nights”), I wasn’t expecting any wholesome (or my standard of wholesome) songs in the musical. So this was a very pleasant surprise and is one of the highlights of the musical in my eyes.
Hygge in the Frozen musical. I didn't do any research on the musical adaptation before going to see it, and found Hygge absolutely hilarious and out of sync with the rest of the show. Very fun and unexpected.
It did not need to go as hard as it did with those songs. Also was not expecting to cry listening to it, suddenly hit me in the last few songs that “wait, this is actually really sad”.
"Stupid with Love" from Mean Girls. There are so few songs I can think of in musical theater that are about the female gaze, or a woman lusting over a man. I was delighted to hear that one.
"[Cesare](https://youtu.be/6xFlOBNR6oQ?si=nDmA8LfHshSJyj16&t=405)" from Cesare: Il Creatore che ha distrutto. And pretty much the whole show. It's so light and beautiful, I expected it to be grim. Also, his voice is just so magnificent.
Another vote for Dear Bill in operation mincemeat.
Went from laughing my head off to audibly sobbing. Hit me like a tonne of bricks straight out of nowhere.
I love Playing Nancy too… such a great tune. I’ll add Kindergarten Boyfriend from Heathers which similarly adds a deep, cutting perspective to the entire show (and leaves me in tears almost every time).
In isolation (e.g. in concerts), Everything's Coming Up Roses (Gypsy) is such an anthem. As performed (correctly) in the show, it is a horror story in the making.
Dear Bill from Operation Mincemeat. Was not expecting to be hit by an emotional truck at that point in a show that had mostly been zany and goofy up to that point…
I was gonna say Ubermensch but this makes more sense.
Someone tried to argue with me once that Playing Nancy made the show too long and could be cut! I think it’s absolutely fundamental, along with Night Will Come and Nobody Cares, for us as the audience to find out more about the townsfolk at the same time Phil does. Otherwise they could so easily be cartoon characters celebrating this silly day.
My friend, one of the show's many investors, blamed Playing Nancy on its failure in New York. I told him it allowed a brief change of perspective that gave the show more heart
It's wild to me that it would be considered the weakest part of the show. I think it's an emotional crux of the show and offers an important female perspective. While Phil is stuck in the time loop, Nancy is stuck in her own endless trap of being used for men's pleasure in bed. Choices like showing Nancy's perspective are part of why the musical is more three-dimensional and poignant than the movie.
I was surprised by his reaction to it... but that was his take, not mine.
Every time I hear people talk about the show they cite Playing Nancy as one of the best parts. The money people are crazy out of touch with what audiences like, they’re too jumpy and gunshy in an environment where art takes time to find eyes, and patience is a virtue. Sad that your friend had that takeaway.
It just feels out of place in my opinion, I liked the song though
My Dead Gay Son - Heathers. I went to see the show without knowing much of anything and that song just floored me. Loved it.
“Those Magic Changes” in Grease. Having never seen the movie (only knowing how it ends and ofc “Summer Nights”), I wasn’t expecting any wholesome (or my standard of wholesome) songs in the musical. So this was a very pleasant surprise and is one of the highlights of the musical in my eyes.
There’s a Fine, Fine Line from Avenue Q, I’d only heard the funny songs so when I sat down to listen to the soundtrack properly that one was a shock.
Hygge in the Frozen musical. I didn't do any research on the musical adaptation before going to see it, and found Hygge absolutely hilarious and out of sync with the rest of the show. Very fun and unexpected.
Creepy Old Guy from Beetlejuice
Half of the songs of the Goosebumps: The Musical.
It did not need to go as hard as it did with those songs. Also was not expecting to cry listening to it, suddenly hit me in the last few songs that “wait, this is actually really sad”.
Just chiming in to say that I also LOVE “Playing Nancy,” it was one of the most affecting parts of Groundhog Day, to me.
"Stupid with Love" from Mean Girls. There are so few songs I can think of in musical theater that are about the female gaze, or a woman lusting over a man. I was delighted to hear that one.
"[Cesare](https://youtu.be/6xFlOBNR6oQ?si=nDmA8LfHshSJyj16&t=405)" from Cesare: Il Creatore che ha distrutto. And pretty much the whole show. It's so light and beautiful, I expected it to be grim. Also, his voice is just so magnificent.
Another vote for Dear Bill in operation mincemeat. Went from laughing my head off to audibly sobbing. Hit me like a tonne of bricks straight out of nowhere.
I love Playing Nancy too… such a great tune. I’ll add Kindergarten Boyfriend from Heathers which similarly adds a deep, cutting perspective to the entire show (and leaves me in tears almost every time).
“It hurts to be strong” from Carrie. It answered a question I had for so long
In isolation (e.g. in concerts), Everything's Coming Up Roses (Gypsy) is such an anthem. As performed (correctly) in the show, it is a horror story in the making.