The 2010s are what I like to consider the breakthrough decade for new work in the musical world. With shows like "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Wicked" boasting impressive decades-long runs, it's harder than ever to break through these Broadway and West End phenomenons to gain public attention.
No shade to any long-running musical, because all of these shows have seen such successful runs for a reason. But just like dried-up, stale movie sequels that this decade also seemed to crank out every six months, the same plots with the same scores and cast can get old quickly.
This top five musicals of the 2010s list encompasses the musicals I think most successfully cut through the noise and added new music, new voices and new plots to the theater scene.
Is this a comprehensive list of every musical I think deserves recognition from this decade? Absolutely not. Feel free to weigh in via my Twitter DMs, or comment how angry you are about my picks. My assistants and writers are already outraged. Just be sure to check when your favorite musical first started running, because chances are it wasn't after 2010.
**Dates are based on Broadway premiere**
5. "Waitress" (2016)
Sometimes, all it takes is sugar, butter and flour. An original score by Sara Bareilles definitely adds to the perfect recipe for this small-town diner drama. I commend "Waitress" for being unafraid to embrace the Southern accent, complete with a trailer trash husband and topped with domestic violence. It's a sticky situation for sure, but an upbeat and moving score helps the audience come out feeling peachy. I saw this gem at the Adelphi Theatre in London, and Jack McBrayer's performance as Ogie was the cherry on top of this fantastic show.
4. "Dear Evan Hansen" (2016)
I stand by Ben Platt and all of his acting ventures, so it's no surprise that I have to give him recognition for his stellar performance in this new musical that gave us an insight into social anxiety on stage. Also, who doesn't love watching a white lie turn into a huge mess over the course of two and a half hours?