People love to declare their dislike of Broadway before admitting they know a single song, or none, from whichever musical they are slandering. All I ask of you (pun intended — stay tuned) is to keep an open mind as we venture into the world of theater — or the amount we can cover in 10 songs. Those selected may not be the most recognizable, but will instead show the heart of Broadway: emotion, exceptionally talented stars and sweeping orchestral accompaniments. Be forewarned, you might get whiplash as we jump from passionate ballads to murder-filled tangos. I’m sure you’ll be belting along in no time — your roommates will be thrilled!
1. “Take Me or Leave Me” – Rent
We start our tour guided by the queen of Broadway herself: Idina Menzel. The powerhouse talent who originated the roles of Elphaba in Wicked, and, featured here, Maureen in Rent, Menzel’s exceptional range shines as she battles it out in a lover’s quarrel. I prefer the movie album of Rent, where time has matured Menzel’s vocals into sheer perfection.
2. “All I Ask of You” – The Phantom of the Opera
Turn your volume up and prepare for your heart to melt over a symphony of singing violins. Many know Phantom’s titular song, “The Phantom of the Opera,” or its distinctive opening. Fewer know Phantom’s most beautiful song: “All I Ask of You.” I again prefer the movie album, both for Emmy Rossum and Patrick Wilson, and to reminisce on the snowy rooftop scene that awed with its chemistry and romance — if you avoid thinking of the Phantom in the shadows.
3. “Defying Gravity” – Wicked
On the third song and already repeating an actress — I did tell you Idina Menzel is Broadway’s queen. Despite the desire to highlight every hidden gem, the classic “Defying Gravity” must be your Wicked introduction. I considered choosing the new movie version for the exceptional Cynthia Erivo, but online edits of Erivo’s “it’s me” along with the overwhelming drum track ruined it for me. Wicked was perfect from the onset, with the magical combination of Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth bringing to life our misunderstood “Wicked Witch.”
4. “Once Upon A December” – Anastasia
From Oz we travel to the gilded past of Imperial Russia to meet the original Anastasia, Christy Altomare. Every song in Broadway’s Anastasia is fantastic — I recommend the villain moments “The Neva Flows,” “Still” and their reprise, but, like Wicked, nothing compares to the iconic “Once Upon a December.” Altomare’s voice trips delicately above the tinkling melody of a music box, and we dream along with her as she clings to the fleeting remnants of times long lost.
5. “Sante Fe (Bonus Track)” – Newsies
There are few Broadway geeks who aren’t completely obsessed with Jeremy Jordan, whether from his recent role as Gatsby, or this original cast of Newsies. The musical includes three iterations of “Santa Fe,” but the “Bonus Track” is my favorite — it’s softer, less heavy on the NYC accent and sang by Jordan with so much longing that one can truly understand why a city paperboy is dreaming about a clay-baked town out West.
6. “Satisfied” – Hamilton
Turning back the clocks in American history, we go to NYC a hundred years before Newsies, from the 19th century to the 18th, for Hamilton. But we’re not done backtracking; “Satisfied” begins at Hamilton’s wedding but retreats to when he met his wife, and, perhaps more influentially, her sister Angelica. “Satisfied” is a perfect combination of characteristic Hamilton rap, and singing, performed by the inhumanly talented Renée Elise Goldsberry and Phillipa Soo.
7. “Cell Block Tango” – Chicago
From the love triangle of Hamilton and the Schuyler sisters, we turn to even more thrillingly tumultuous relationships. There is no song on Broadway more fun than the one performed by the six merry murderesses of the Cook County Jail, especially Ms. Catherine Zeta-Jones, as they weave the stories behind their imprisonments and implore you to believe them: “I betcha you would have done the same.”
8. “Wait for me (Reprise)” – Hadestown
A reprise? Oh yeah, we’re going way down. Hadestown tells the mythical tale of Orpheus, but I honestly find his songs and voice (Reeve Carney) annoying and sharp. And thus I give you the reprise, where his song is taken over and beautified by the rest of the original cast, specifically Eva Noblezada as Eurydice, who just originated Daisy in Gatsby opposite Jordan. Noblezada redeems Hadestown; her voice overflows with desperation for her lover to stay strong.
9. “Stars” – Les Miserable
I’ve saved the best for last, my dear favorite: Les Miserable. Choosing a song from Les Mis is like asking a good parent to choose their favorite child, but choosing an album is not. If you hated a Les Mis adaptation, I beg you to listen to the Broadway album. There is no comparison between the struggling vocals of Hugh Jackman and the awe inspired by the original cast. In “Stars,” an underappreciated villain moment, Terrence Mann calls out over bellowing trumpets and violins, as he embodies a conflicted man looking for reassurance from the familiar night sky. Warning: don’t expect a happy ending — this is Broadway after all.
10. “One Day More” – Les Miserable
To avoid unfair favoritism, I bring you a doubly miserable finale. Also, there is nothing I love more in Broadway than songs which combine each character’s theme into one overarching look into a show. In “One Day More” every character from Les Mis weaves together their melodies, storylines and dreams as they choose their paths forward. Grand and heartwrenching, there is no other song fit to show the majesty of Broadway as we conclude our epic tour.
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Jenna Ledley is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at jledley@cornellsun.com.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
