9 Larger-Than-Life Books That Remind Me of Broadway Musicals

The musical Six, which gives the stories of six wives of Henry VIII a modern flare in the form of a pop concert, can easily inspire a deeper dive into these women. THE CONSTANT PRINCESS follows Katherine of Aragon, who is meant to marry Prince Arthur. Instead, his untimely death leaves her with his brother, Henry, after years of proving herself worthy of her role as the next queen. During a tumultuous time, Katherine must protect her people against the Scots, defying her past as a political pawn and embracing her future as an important leader. Full of immersive scenes and interesting history, Gregory’s novel deftly captures the complexities of its characters and the obstacles they face.

Come From Away captivated me with its strong sense of makeshift community, an anxious group of people gathered together to make the best of a terrible situation while being uncertain of their futures. Based on the true story of a group of people in Newfoundland, Canada, who welcomed stranded passengers from diverted planes forced to land after 9/11, the musical is emotional and powerful in the way it captures the unexpected bonds between people experiencing the same startling event. BEARTOWN begins by encompassing a similar feeling of community, one driven by the uncertain fate of a town. Residents of Beartown know their small town is losing ground to nature, to others who doubt its survival. But there’s hope to be had in an ice rink, if only their hockey team can work together to secure a win. However, instead of a traumatic event drawing them together, like that in Come From Away, the events that follow reveal what happens when people pull away from one another, dealing with accusations that force sides and change futures.

Hadestown, a moving portrait of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, reimagines the separation of the two lovers as Eurydice’s own doing, signing her life away to work for Hades in his factory. Orpheus’s move to rescue her opens other workers’ eyes to the restrictions of their demanding situation, rioting against Hades and their lack of freedom. SHALLOW WATERS also tackles new angles in a mythical story; but instead of changing the triggering event, this book adjusts the time period. The Yoruba deity of the sea, Yemaya, is now in mid-1800s America. As she discovers her powers and learns of others’ sacrifices, she encounters the Underground Railroad and all of the pain and fights for survival that accompany it.

Next to Normal was the first musical to convince me to leave my NYC apartment at 4:00 AM to stand in line for rush seats. It shed light on mental health in a time where that lens was a rarity, giving a thought-provoking, heartbreaking glimpse inside a woman’s struggle with bipolar disorder while also dealing with the trauma of losing a son. Susannah tells her own story with that same degree of honesty and immersion, dropping the curtain on frustrating diagnoses (or lack thereof), extensive monitoring by doctors and medications, series of tests and scans, not understanding the chaos going on inside her own body. Chronicling a time of extreme uncertainty, BRAIN ON FIRE is a gripping read often filled with more questions than answers, with an ultimately surprising discovery that reveals critical misunderstandings throughout history and can help others suffering today.

I can so vividly remember my friend handing me this book and telling me it was something I had to read. I had recently seen and raved about the musical Groundhog Day, whose cyclic plot provides both ridiculousness and a chance to study characters as they’re pushed to their limits. Add murder to the series of troublesome events that leads someone to repeat the same day until they can figure out a solution, and you’re in for an even more compelling hook. Not to mention the fact that each morning, Aidan wakes up in a different person’s body, trying desperately to learn the identity of Evelyn’s murderer before it’s too late. Talk about an unreliable narrator, with shifts in perspectives and numerous unknowns, and too much ground to cover.

I love a good story that’s conscious of itself and its intentions well enough to play around with format, striking a deliberate and even metaphorical tone. Though their narratives are very different, INTERIOR CHINATOWN and Hedwig and the Angry Inch push the boundaries of structure in similar ways, creating unique experiences that will truly stick with you. Both are aware they have an audience; both are using theater or acting as a device to illustrate deeper points, explore stereotypes and preconceptions, and discuss groups who have been siloed and misunderstood. In INTERIOR CHINATOWN, the narrator reveals himself as Generic Asian Man, doomed to be typecast in the only role Hollywood thinks he can play. With the goal of playing Kung Fu Guy in his sights, Willis takes readers through a world that blurs film sets and realities, tropes and buried dreams.

I’m always in the mood for a thriller, whether it be onstage or on the page. In WATCHING YOU, certain characters’ actions and conversations are just creepy enough to remind you of an underlying darkness, one that can even be found on the quietest streets in the most idyllic of neighborhoods. Much like Sweeney Todd, the setting doesn’t quite seem to fit the crime, the players cunning and masters of disguise. Emotions run high, secrets boiling beneath decades-old obsessions. Joey can’t stop coming up with ways to chat with the popular headmaster next door; his son can’t help himself from spying on Joey’s and his father’s interactions; Jenna, a neighbor and student at the headmaster’s school, worries there’s something more sinister behind the guy’s captivating exterior. I especially loved the multiple perspectives and seeing how the character’s stories intertwined.

With Lin-Manuel Miranda’s fresh take and musical style, Hamilton gave Alexander Hamilton’s story a chance to reach new audiences with deeper engagement. Similarly, Erica Armstrong Dunbar exposes the breadth and horrors of slavery in NEVER CAUGHT by focusing on the most powerful man in America: the president of the U.S. Her nonfiction book follows Ona Judge, one of George Washington’s slaves; though the law forbade him from keeping Ona and her fellow slaves for longer than six months, he found creative ways to get around it. So Ona made a daring escape, leading to a massive manhunt led by none other than Washington himself. Harrowing events and shocking moments give an eye-opening view of history sure to start conversations about how we view our past, and the powerful leaders and unsung heroes who helped shape it.

Fans of Lin-Manuel Miranda will also be thrilled to see him praise ONCE I WAS YOU, saying, “Maria’s perspective is powerful and vital. Years ago, when In the Heights was just starting off-Broadway, Maria got the word out to our community to support this new musical about our neighborhoods. She has been a champion of our triumphs, a critic of our detractors, and a driving force to right the wrongs our society faces. When Maria speaks, I’m ready to listen and learn.” ONCE I WAS YOU is Maria’s memoir of her time as an award-winning journalist, and her experiences growing up Mexican American in Chicago. Her powerful words and vivid descriptions call attention to the immigration crisis and offer new perspectives on existing systems and beliefs.