10. ‘Electricity’ – ‘Billy Elliot’

This song is Billy’s answer to the question, “What does it feel like, when you are dancing?” He replies that dancing makes him feel like flying, like he’s lost himself and found himself in one motion, and like there are sparks inside him just beginning to burst him open. If you’ve ever had a deep passion for anything you love to do, especially performing arts-based, this song is sure to make you smile and feel all fuzzy inside.

9. ‘Far From the Home I Love’ – ‘Fiddler on the Roof’

In this song, Tevya’s daughter, Hodel, sings him her struggle of loving Perchik and leaving her home. She loves her family, and once was perfectly happy to remain by them, but now that she is in love, she would go anywhere with Perchik, even Siberia. It’s a simple song, but one that especially hits hard if you’ve recently moved away from your own family.

8. ‘She Used To Be Mine’ – ‘Waitress’

In this stirring song, Jenna Hunterson laments losing her true self over the years. Her abusive husband Earl has just taken all the money she had hidden for her yet-to-be-born child, presumably to spend it on alcohol. She eventually concludes that her baby is reawakening a fire inside her, convincing her to fight for a better life for them both. It’s a beautiful and sad tribute to our hero’s past self and one that never fails to make me misty-eyed.

7. ‘You Will Be Found’ – Dear Evan Hansen

At the launch of The Connor Project, Evan Hansen gives a moving speech. Although this speech was based on Evan’s made-up friendship with Connor, it still has a huge impact on people even outside of the show. With lines like, “Let that lonely feeling wash away; Maybe there’s a reason to believe you’ll be okay,” and, “you’ll reach up and you’ll rise again,” it’s an emotional, uplifting piece about friends being there to help you through dark times.

6. ‘Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tell Your Story’ – ‘Hamilton’

After Alexander Hamilton’s death, those who knew him gather in a finale to reminisce on their enemy, brother, and husband. They remind us of his genius, and that he didn’t live long enough to tell his story. In the end, it’s Eliza, his wife, who preserves his legacy. A notable emotional moment is when Eliza is talking about the children in her orphanage: “In their eyes I see you, Alexander.” Tears. Every. Time.

5. ‘For Good’ – ‘Wicked’

The farewell scene between Elphaba and Glinda has always been a tear-jerker. The two witches sing about how each has changed the other for the better, and exchange apologies for their past disagreements. They then part ways, never to see each other again. Who knew one day I’d be crying over the “Wicked Witch of the West”?

4. All of ‘Les Miserables’

“Les Miserables” is the perfect name for this sad novel-turned-musical. There is hardly a 15-minute span without death or other melancholy moment through the entire show. For example: “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Fantine’s Death/Come to Me,” “On My Own,” “A Little Fall of Rain,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” …you get it. If you’re deep in your feels and craving a sung-through tragedy to cry/sing to, this is your show!

3. ‘Finale’ – ‘The Phantom of the Opera’

In the finale of the longest-running Broadway musical, the Phantom realizes that he cannot force Christine to love him, so he sets her and Raoul free. Christine returns to give back a ring that the Phantom had placed on her finger. Overcome with emotion, the Phantom confesses his love for her as she rejoins Raoul. As he wails that the music of the night is over, he disappears, leaving only his mask. I may have listened to the cast album more times than I could count, but I break down every time at the finale!

2. ‘A Part of Us’ – ‘Once On This Island’

Mama Euralie, Tonton Julian, and Little Girl mourn Ti Moune, the little orphan girl from the tree. In the story told to the Little Girl, the gods rewarded Ti Moune for her love and perseverance by giving her a peaceful end and preserving her for all time as a boundary-breaking tree. Although I knew what to expect from this story, my heart broke and was healed in less than three minutes.

1. ‘I’ll Cover You (Reprise)’ – ‘Rent’

The musical “Rent” is laden with emotion, but this song especially gets me into tears. During Angel’s funeral, Collins brings back the song “I’ll Cover You” with heart-wrenching anguish, promising Angel that he will love him even in death, for “all my life.” BRB, sobbing.

Did we make you cry? Did we miss a musical moment that gave you feels? Let us know which one in the comments below…

You May Also Like: Poll: Rank Your Favorite Broadway Heroines

The post Top 10 Musical Theatre Moments That Give Us Feels appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

1. Tituss Burgess

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“The Little Mermaid” on Broadway’s original Sebastian has his star turn as a wannabe Broadway actor on Netflix’s recently finished “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Titus Andromedon came from the deep south, where boys who wanted to do musical theatre were considered… different. He finally makes it to New York, where he meets Kimmy and Lillian, who encourage him to follow his dreams. This Netflix original series released part two of its final season in January 2019, and is still available to stream.

2. Darren Criss

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Our favorite StarKid has been very busy since his starring role as Blaine in “Glee.” He portrayed killer Andrew Cunanan in “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace” in the beginning of 2018. For his unnerving performance, Criss earned a Primetime Emmy, two Screen Actors Guild awards, a Golden Globe, a Gold Derby award, and a whole slew of nominations. You can watch this FX miniseries on Netflix.

3. Meryl Streep

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Film’s greatest living actress and the Tony award-winning powerhouse that is Meryl Streep is coming to “Big Little Lies” season two this June. She will star as Mary Louise Wright, Perry Wright’s mother, who comes to Monterey looking for answers. “Big Little Lies” is based on the novel of the same name by author Liane Moriarty. The first season of the hit show is available on HBO, which leaves plenty of time for us to binge watch before the second season hits our screens!

4. Kristin Chenoweth

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On NBC’s “Trial and Error,” Chenoweth lets her bubbly persona shine as she plays the first lady of East Peck, Lavinia Peck-Foster, who is on trial for the murder of her husband. “Trial and Error” is a spoof of a true crime series; season one focused on another “trial,” the defendant being played by John Lithgow. This series isn’t currently available to stream (Netflix, we’re looking at you!), but if you’re dedicated, each episode is available for purchase on YouTube, Vudu, iTunes, and Google Play.

5. Viola Davis

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The phenomenal Viola Davis from the ABC hit “How to Get Away with Murder” holds the distinction of being the first black person to have earned the “Triple Crown of Acting,” being the trifecta of a Tony, an Academy, and an Emmy award. Davis has garnered high praise for her work as Annalise Keating, a law professor who becomes dangerously ensnared in a murder plot with five of her students. “How to Get Away with Murder” is available on both Netflix and Hulu.

6. Josh Groban

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The Tony-winning “tenor in training” landed himself a Netflix original series with Tony Danza, titled “The Good Cop.” Groban is a pathologically “good cop,” whose father was also in the NYPD – but the opposite of good. This is a funny, easy-to-watch comedic crime series, especially if you’re a fan of the classic “good cop, bad cop” trope. Season one is available to stream on Netflix.

7. Nathan Lane

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The three-time Tony award-winning superstar plays a recurring role as Pepper Saltzman on ABC’s “Modern Family.” This mockumentary follows a mixed family’s daily life in suburban Los Angeles. Pepper is a flamboyant friend of the married couple Cameron and Mitchell. “Modern Family” is ABC’s longest running comedy series, having been aired since its premiere in 2009. You can stream this sitcom on Hulu or for free on ABC’s website.

Whatever you choose to binge, you can support your favorite stage stars along the way! Did we miss your favorite? Leave a comment below…

The post Here’s Where You Can Find Your Favorite Stage Stars On Television appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

We all hated – and possibly felt sorry for – his Judas Iscariot in NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!” More recently, we were serenaded by and fell in love with him as Tom Collins in Fox’s “Rent Live.”

What you need to know about our favorite soulful standout:

1. 2003 – He was cast as Adult Simba in the national tour of Disney’s “The Lion King.”

2. 2005 – He created the role of Harpo in the musical “The Color Purple,” starring on Broadway (where he was Tony-nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical) and on tour.

3. 2007 – He played the musical legend Ray Charles in the Pasadena Playhouse’s “Ray Charles Live.” He was nominated for an Ovation Award for his portrayal of the blind singer/songwriting powerhouse.

4. 2010 – He portrayed the falsely-accused rapist Haywood Patterson in the original cast of “The Scottsboro Boys.” For this performance, he grabbed award nominations for the Oliviers, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, Drama League, and Audelco Awards.

5. 2011 – He was cast as Tom Collins in “Rent” Off-Broadway.

6. 2013 – He created the role of Berry Gordy Jr. in “Motown: The Musical,” for which he nabbed a nomination for a Drama League Award.

7. 2016 – He played Eubie Blake in the musical “Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed,” and earned a second Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

8. 2016 – Leslie Odom Jr. recruited him to play Aaron Burr in the smash hit “Hamilton,” for which he was chosen over THREE understudies!

9. 2017 – He began work as Terry Silver on the (still running!) Starz series “Power.”

10. 2018 – He became a household name with NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live!” as Judas Iscariot, opposite names such as John Legend and Sara Bareilles. (Some would even argue that he completely stole the show!) He snagged a Primetime Emmy nomination with his powerful performance.

11. 2019 – In the short time that we’ve had, he revisited the role of Tom Collins in Fox’s “Rent Live,” and made us all – cast included – sob uncontrollably with his “I’ll Cover You (Reprise).”

Among all of this, Dixon co-founded WalkRunFly, which, according to his website, “ is most interested in developing new work by early stage artists.” Through WRF, he produced “Of Mice and Men” in 2014, as well as “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” which, starring Neil Patrick Harris, won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical AND the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

He also advocates for social justice, both on social media and the stage. On Instagram, he pushes for awareness of topics such as racial injustice, endangered wildlife populations, and empowering the African American community. And during a curtain call in “Hamilton,” while then-future Vice President Mike Pence visited, he delivered a short – yet powerful – speech (on behalf of the show’s cast and creators) to the new administration to fight for the “diverse America,” “a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds, and orientations.”

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As the kids say: We stan a woke, talented king!

Even though he is a busy and #booked actor, Dixon frequently gives us never-before-seen glimpses backstage of his current projects via social media posts and the Instagram Live feature. We don’t deserve you, BVD!

Brandon Victor Dixon is a force to be reckoned with. Along with all of his superfans, I just cannot wait to see what role he takes on next.

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Who else in our Broadway community deserves more love? Sound off in the comments below, and you might see your suggestions in an upcoming article!

The post 11 Reasons Why Brandon Victor Dixon Deserves More Love appeared first on Theatre Nerds.