11 musicals that are secretly really emo
Great theater can make you feel happiness and despair; it can make you laugh and cry. It’s no mystery that musicals can be over the top (we’re looking at you, Cats), but that doesn’t mean some of them don’t have a dark side.
That being said, from stage to screen, we present to you 10 musicals that are secretly emo. Check them out below!
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1. Bat Boy: The Musical
Bat Boy: The Musical was inspired by a story in the tabloid Weekly World News. A young boy discovered in a cave, half-human, half-bat, is taken to veterinarian Dr. Parker and ushered into his home where he’s taught how to be “normal.” Although Parker’s family accepts him, the rest of the town isn’t as welcoming. In this tale, Bat Boy must flee ignorant townspeople all while navigating feelings of love.
2. Hadestown
Inspired by Greek myths and gods, this musical features jazz, soul and rock. Now, that may not sound super scene, but bear with us. The tale of Orpheus and Eurydice is a tragic one filled with despair and lost love. The two are separated after Eurydice follows Hades to his underworld factory, Hadestown, and she signs a contract which states she can’t leave without his permission. Crushed with anger and sadness, Orpheus makes the trek into the underworld to get her back. If that doesn’t sound like a setup for your next favorite sad love song, we don’t know what is.
3. The Count Of Monte Cristo
Travel back in time with The Count Of Monte Cristo. Based on Alexandre Dumas’ book, a young sailor is accused of treason and thrown into jail on his wedding day. After many years, he escapes and, following a tip from a fellow inmate, finds treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. Wealthy and free, he’s now ready to take his retribution on those who have wronged him. Containing lyrics such as “I’ll deliver hell to your doorstep,” and “history is the story told by people who survive,” paired with haunting strings, you can’t help but want to sit by a clouded window and look out into the distance as you listen to them sing.
4. Little Shop Of Horrors
An insecure flower shop assistant, a sweet salesclerk, a sadistic, leather-wearing dentist and a man-eating venus flytrap: What more could you possibly ask for? After a plant mysteriously appears in the shop’s window during an eclipse, it thrusts the store into fame as it grows miraculously. The catch? The plant has a hunger for human blood and will do just about anything to get it.
5. Jekyll & Hyde
Jekyll & Hyde, based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson, shows just how bad things can get when you try to do something good. Dr. Henry Jekyll wants to prove to the world that man’s evil side can be completely removed from someone so that there’s only good left. Unfortunately, as most dark stories must go, his experiments result in failure, and cost him friendships, love and life. Filled with secrets, murder and romance, this musical will suck you in, chew you up and and leave you “lost in the darkness,” forever conflicted about what it means to understand the difference between good and evil.