Welcome to the Musicals Thread, the Avocado’s space for anything and everything related to musical theatre! Every month I’ll post a discussion prompt, but please feel free to comment on other topics, from new discoveries to old favorites. If you have ideas for future prompts or would like to write a feature for the thread, let me know!
“The most thrilling words in the English language are these: Good morning, my dear friends.”
– Alfie Byrne (A Man of No Importance, book by Terrence McNally)
My plan for the next few months’ discussion prompts is to examine the different types of relationships portrayed in musical theatre. What with today being Galentine’s Day and the recent premiere of the trailer for the Wicked movie, let’s start with friendship!
What are your favorite/the most memorable friendships from musicals and why? One classic group – it’s right there in their name! – is Les Amis de l’ABC (the Friends of the ABC), the student revolutionaries of Les Misérables. They plan an uprising together but are still (much to Enjolras’ annoyance) fundamentally college kids, drinking and teasing Marius about his new crush. Their devotion to their cause and each other cannot be doubted, though, as they refuse to flee to safety when it becomes clear they will not live to see the change they hoped for if they continue in their stand. They applaud little Gavroche’s contributions to their efforts but on no uncertain terms want him kept out of danger, and they honor Eponine when she is “the first to fall”. No wonder there are not one but two songs lamenting the loss of these young men, and no wonder countless fans like to reimagine them in circumstances much less miserable.