Broadway Musicals: My Long Obsession

I have always been a theatre kid. I love musicals. Since elementary school, I have acted in many musicals, such as Les Misérables. Even now, musical theatre has always been a profound love of mine. But now, it is not just for its entertainment value but for the depth, emotion, and storytelling that its songs bring to life. Especially during the most challenging times of studying APs and SAT, the songs in musical theatre touch my heart in ways that other musical genres simply cannot. After digging into why musical theatre has always helped me, I realized that beyond their ability to entertain, musical theatre songs have a therapeutic potential that is increasingly recognized in musical therapy.

Musical theatre songs are distinguished by their ability to convey complex emotions and narratives, often within a few minutes. As the article on the Denver Center for the Performing Arts highlights, these songs "serve a purpose within the story" (KX Tickets). They aren't just music; they are narrative devices that push the plot forward, reveal character depth, and evoke specific emotional responses from the audience.

I find these songs captivating because they encapsulate what KX Tickets refers to as "the four essential elements of musical theatre": music, lyrics, book, and choreography. Each element works harmoniously with the others to create a compelling story, and the songs often become the most memorable part of that story. As Stage Music Center explains, "the music sets the tone and atmosphere, the lyrics carry the story, the book provides the structure, and the choreography brings everything to life" (Stage Music Center). This unique integration of different artistic elements makes musical theatre songs powerful and resonant.

Moreover, musical theatre allows for a unique expression of inner emotions through song, as discussed in The Johns Hopkins News Letter. Broadway, in particular, provides a "vessel for people to express their most vulnerable emotions" (The Johns Hopkins News-Letter). Whether it's joy, sorrow, anger, or love, musical theatre songs have a way of tapping into these emotions and making them feel universal yet deeply personal.

Interestingly, musical theatre songs' emotional depth and narrative power make them ideal tools for musical therapy. According to Varsity, music in therapy has been proven to "reduce stress, improve mood, and even aid in physical healing" (Varsity). With their strong emotional resonance, musical theatre songs are particularly effective in this context. They can help patients connect with their emotions, express feelings they might otherwise struggle to articulate, and find comfort in familiar narratives and melodies.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts further explores the idea of Broadway playlists being used for patients in healing environments. The songs from musicals can "provide a sense of comfort and familiarity" during difficult times, helping patients relax and improve their mental health (Denver Center). Whether it's the uplifting energy of a classic show tune or the cathartic release of a powerful ballad, musical theatre songs have the potential to play a significant role in the healing process.

Moreover, as discussed in the Varsity article, musical theatre is considerably more effective as a therapy since it encourages deep emotional responses and complex processes of feelings. The article says, "Music can act as a vehicle for emotions, " allowing people to quickly articulate what is usually hard to put into words. Especially in musical theatre, the songs creatively express the characters' deep human struggle, joy, or sadness that reflects on many audiences.

Perhaps the most striking example that is brought alive in the article is the song "Memory" from the *Cats* musical. Sung by Grizabella, this song resonates deeply with the themes of loss and longing in what has become a mirror of nostalgia and regret. For the listener, it serves as a mirror to their feelings of lost moments or sadness—a safe space to visit these feelings and their depth. The harmony of this haunting melody and powerful lyrics creates an experience that is both therapeutic and cathartic in effect.

A visibly growing example is "You Will Be Found" from *Dear Evan Hansen*, which plays as a new anthem for hope and solidarity. The song's essence is that a person is never alone, and people are all in this together. As the Varsity article mentions, songs such as these can be particularly effective in therapeutic settings because they reassure and provide a feeling of connectedness, reminding an individual they are not alone in some particular struggle. The very communal aspect of musical theater, whether live in a theater or through the listening of a cast recording, becomes a shared emotional experience that engenders empathy and understanding of essential elements in therapy.

Other songs have been featured because of the empowerment they give, like in the case of "Defying Gravity" from *Wicked*. This song, one of the resistant decisions of the protagonist to embrace her total self and not give in to social norms, can lift a listener up. The song can build self-esteem among individuals so they may take control of their lives by making daring moves in a positive direction. The paper offers that such songs can help individuals combat inadequacy or fear with a musical affirmation of worth and potential.

Incorporating musical theatre songs into therapeutic practices aligns with the power of songs in the genre to "stimulate both the mind and emotions," providing such songs a path toward emotional and mental healing. These songs also assist in coming to terms with one's feelings, from which one gains a sense of strength, courage, comfort, and hope. Regarding this, such value placed on these songs through art therapy makes them genuinely priceless in this art. The telling nature of these songs makes the character and story personal through raw emotions that listeners can probably find buried within themselves and grow in strength against adversities.

My love for musical theatre songs is rooted in their entertainment value and unique ability to convey deep emotions and narratives. These songs are more than just music; they are storytelling at its finest, integrating multiple artistic elements to create an unforgettable experience. Their potential in musical therapy adds another layer to their significance, proving that musical theatre is not just about entertainment but also healing.