It’s Valentine’s Day, and few things tug at the heartstrings like a good Broadway love story. We couldn’t resist sharing some of our favorites – and we hope you’ll chime in with yours.
South Pacific- The tunes are fresh in our ears from the Lincoln Center revival’s two-week run at the Palace Theatre, but this love story is timeless. Putting aside prejudices and seeing past differences (cultural or otherwise) is one of the true foundations of love.
Phantom of the Opera – It’s the longest running show on Broadway for a reason. This musical’s love triangle between Christine, Raoul and the Phantom is dark, complex and bittersweet – a sure tearjerker.
Guys and Dolls – From the outrageous things the guys do for their dolls to the way the women marry their men with full intention of changing their habits, this musical is Broadway’s version of a romantic comedy. Created in the fifties, it still draws humorous parallels to relationships and marriage today.
West Side Story – We couldn’t leave this musical – based on the greatest love story of all time, Romeo and Juliet – off our list. From its themes of forbidden love and love at first sight, to its classic romantic tunes, this is the ultimate love story.
Wicked – Who thought love – romantic, sisterly and friendly – could explain the classic tale Wizard of Oz? This musical doesn’t just show what happened before Dorothy dropped in, but the bittersweet story about how love and passion made Elphaba – or the Wicked Witch of the West – the way she was.
The King and I – A Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, the beauty of this love story is in its subtlety. The King and Anna never confess their love for one another – nor do audiences know if it even exists, romantically speaking. But what is obvious, is a clash of differences turned into a deep and loving respect for one another.
