Redheaded Jill

So, I’m a bit of a snob. I don’t often care for new(er) musicals. La La Land? Never seen it. A musical version of Mean Girls? Why?! But then I’ll hear ONE song and I’ll be like… “Ok, I can give it a chance!” And I almost always regret it. For example, the musical Pride and Prejudice? Don’t waste your time.

I decided share a list of my most favorite musicals (both popular and underrated ones).

For me Oklahoma is a hit or miss. They have stage versions where they make Laurie a tomboy. That’s fine, but for me Laurie is beautiful and blonde and Shirley Jones. She wears calico dresses and her voices blends perfectly with the dashing Gordon MacRae. *Plot : Mostly taking place over one beautiful day in Oklahoma, a cowboy and his sweetheart bicker and play tug of war with their hearts until they are forced to answer the question… Can one live without the other? * There are lessons of love, friendship, trusting your intuition, chivalry, and the toe tapping-est soundtrack you ever did hear. (If you like live theater check out the University of North Carolina production on youtube. They are SO amazing and they give a lot of history!)

Something you should know about me… I believe Dean Martin was THE ultimate talent. Charming and introverted, handsome with the voice of an angel. I love him. That being said, he makes some GREAT movies, like Bells Are Ringing. Judy Holiday is a gem, so cute and she continues to look amazing even when she’s being a total wackadoo. I think her modern equivalent might be Jennifer Lawrence (if Jennifer Lawrence were musical… is she musical?) But in the way that they’re both beautiful and goofy and oh so talented. * Plot : Judy Holiday plays a switchboard operator who makes up characters for different clients that she speaks to on the phone. For her client, Dean Martin, she pretends to be an elderly woman because she thinks he needs a mother’s love. Through speaking to Martin on the phone Holiday falls hopelessly in love and ends up trying to save him from a disastrous career move. This musical will have you laughing out loud and maybe even shedding a few tears. * (Judy Holiday was the original Ella on broadway I think… She was truly made for the role.)

Last, but not least (for today) is Good News starring another member of the Rat Pack, Peter Lawford alongside June Allyson. Perhaps my favorite actress of all time, June Allyson is the complete package. Her character is usually the wallflower or the misfit, even though she was an absolute stunner. *Plot : Set in the flapper era, the star football player of TAIT College is in trouble because his grades are slipping. Studious June Allyson agrees to tutor him in French, although they experience PLENTY of chemistry. Lawford has to choose between true love or social status. * If you enjoy the movie, do yourself a favor and look up the cut song on youtube. It’s SO good. I can’t believe they didn’t keep it in the movie!

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