The Roots of My Musical Heart

Hello, my creative critters, and welcome back to another post! 

As you have probably guessed from the title, I want to talk about musicals—a world that has captivated my heart and soul for as long as I can remember. So, buckle up, because I’m about to take you on a journey through my musical obsession, from the very beginnings to the current crescendo of my love affair with the stage.

Starting from the very beginning, my story isn’t complete without mentioning my mother. A talented pianist and singer, she was the soundtrack of my childhood. I grew up dancing to her melodies, twirling around the living room as she played the piano with effortless grace. Her voice, rich and warm, would fill our home with melodies I now realize shaped my musical sensibilities. 

It was her singing that first ignited my love for music. I vividly remember sitting beside her, listening in mesmerized silence as she played and sang. The melodies became my lullabies, my playground, my escape.

The first musical I ever really "met" was The Sound of Music. I watched that movie repeatedly, singing along with Maria, dreaming of rolling hills and the thrill of singing in the rain. Its timeless songs like “My Favorite Things” and “Edelweiss” became my lullabies. The story of the von Trapp family’s resilience and love in the face of adversity struck a chord with me early on, sparking my lifelong appreciation for musicals as a storytelling medium.

Next came Phantom of the Opera. The haunting beauty of its melodies, especially “Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You,” drew me into a world of mystery, longing, and tragedy. The story of the disfigured musical genius and the innocent Christine was dark and romantic, and the music’s emotional depth made me feel every heartbeat of the characters’ pain and passion.

And of course, Disney movies—The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, The Lion King—each a musical treasure trove that made me fall deeper in love. Songs like “Part of Your World,” “Stranger Like Me,” and “Circle of Life” weren’t just catchy, they were stories in themselves, full of wonder and emotion.

I’ve always loved singing. By age eight, I was learning to play the piano, but honestly, I didn't truly appreciate those lessons until I added Choir to my seventh-grade schedule. That was a turning point. I realized how powerful music can be when shared. 

From that moment, my passion soared. I auditioned for my first musical, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I was nervous but exhilarated as I stepped onto the stage for the first time, feeling alive. The songs, like “Angels Lost,” and the camaraderie among cast members made me realize how magical musical theater truly is. 

A couple of years later, I was cast in The Addams Family musical. That experience was a whirlwind of dark humor, quirky characters, and catchy tunes like “When You’re an Addams,” which became an anthem for embracing your uniqueness. It was my first experience with a show that balanced comedy with deeper themes of family and acceptance, all set to lively, memorable music.

Since then, I’ve been fortunate to see many musicals live, each experience adding new layers to my appreciation. Here’s a list of some of the shows I’ve attended in order: 

- Pirates of Penzance

- Beauty and the Beast

- Tom Sawyer

- Into the Woods

- Newsies

- The Scarlet Pimpernel

- Finding Neverland

- Phantom of the Opera

- Wicked

- Les Misérables

- The Secret Garden

- Singing in the Rain

- The Addams Family

- Prince of Egypt

- And coming up this month—Footloose!

Each of these shows has left an indelible mark on me, not just for their stories but for their music, the soaring solos, the catchy ensemble numbers, the emotional ballads. 

For example, Wicked introduced me to the complex world of Oz, with songs like “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” which inspire and entertain with their wit and power. Les Misérables moved me with “Can You Hear the People Sing” and “One Day More,” capturing hope, despair, and revolution in a way that still resonates. The Secret Garden enchanted me with its gentle yet profound melodies, such as “How Could I Know,” which evoked feelings of healing and renewal.

Of course, my obsession doesn’t stop with the shows I’ve seen live. There are countless musicals I love in spirit —their music, their stories, their characters—though I haven’t yet had the chance to see them on stage. 

Some of these include: 

- Death Note (yes, the anime-inspired musical! Its dark, intense score and compelling story are mesmerizing.) 

- Hadestown (a modern myth set to haunting folk-inspired music, blending Greek mythology with Americana folk, creating a surreal, immersive experience.) 

- Frankenstein (a dark, gothic musical exploring themes of creation and monstrosity, with a haunting score that stays with you.) 

- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (a joyful, colorful romp with upbeat songs that make you want to dance, like “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door”). 

- And many more, each with their unique magic.

Why do I love musicals so much? For me, musicals are the perfect blend of storytelling, emotion, and spectacle. They have the power to make me laugh, cry, think, and dream, all at once. The music elevates the story, making it resonate on a deeper level. 

They’re a celebration of human emotion and creativity. A reminder that, through song, we can connect in ways that words alone sometimes cannot. Whether it’s a powerful ballad that tears at your heart or an energetic ensemble number that makes you want to jump up and dance, musicals are an emotional rollercoaster that I never want to get off.

And here’s a little secret I’ve discovered along the way: musicals aren’t just about entertaining, they’re a treasure trove for aspiring writers like myself. The way songs tell stories, develop characters, and evoke deep emotion can teach us a great deal about pacing, dialogue, and creating memorable moments. Listening to how a musical expresses love, loss, hope, or rebellion through music can inspire us to craft richer, more authentic characters and dialogues in our writing.

The structure of a musical—its rising action, emotional peaks, and resolutions—serves as a masterclass in storytelling. Each song is carefully crafted to push the narrative forward or deepen our understanding of a character’s inner world. For example, a solo like “Memory” from Cats or “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables captures profound emotion in a way that makes me think about how I can distill complex feelings into powerful, concise scenes.  

Moreover, musicals demonstrate how language and rhythm can elevate dialogue. The lyrical nature of many songs shows how choosing the right words, with attention to musicality, can make speech more memorable and impactful. It’s an exercise in precision: every word, every pause, every note counts. As a writer, studying these techniques can help me craft dialogue that sings, scenes that pulse with emotion, and characters that feel alive and relatable.

The visual storytelling in musicals, including choreography, staging, and lighting, also offers lessons in creating atmosphere and mood, which are crucial elements in written storytelling. The transition from joy to despair, or from chaos to calm, can be mirrored in the descriptive language and pacing of a scene. Watching how a musical builds tension and releases it through a song can inspire me to structure my narratives with similar ebb and flow, keeping my readers engaged and emotionally invested.

Ultimately, immersing myself in musicals fuels my creativity and broadens my understanding of storytelling’s power. It reminds me that music and words are intertwined, each enhancing the other. Every time I listen to a new score or see a performance, I absorb new techniques and ideas that I can adapt into my writing, whether that’s developing a character’s voice, constructing a compelling scene, or finding the rhythm that keeps my story moving.  

So, if you’re a writer looking to deepen your craft, I highly recommend exploring the world of musicals. They’re not just entertainment, they’re a classroom in storytelling, a source of inspiration, and a reminder that the best stories are often told through a combination of words and music, emotion and rhythm. And who knows? Maybe one day, your words will sing just as powerfully as the songs on stage.

Thanks for joining me on this musical journey! Do you have a favorite musical or song? I’d love to hear your stories and recommendations because, honestly, I believe the magic of musicals is best shared.

Until next time, keep singing, keep dreaming, and let the music guide you!

-E.L. Dawn