Raise your hand if you feel personally victimized by any non-singer who says The Phantom of the Opera is their favorite opera… I thought so. Actually, there are many moments in musical theatre that sound and look more operatic than Phantom. Ever wonder how you could spice up your musical theatre rep? Here are five operatic scenes in musical theatre that are not The Phantom of the Opera.

"Aiutami" (The Light in the Piazza)

The Light in the Piazza, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, opened on Broadway in 2005. The musical is based off the novella of the same name by Elizabeth Spencer. An American mother-daughter team vacation in Florence, Italy, where Clara, the daughter, promptly falls in love with a young Italian man. When Clara's past is revealed, things get complicated. In this scene, the young Italian man, Fabrizio, laments to his family, because he thinks he has lost Clara.  Like any Italian family, they live for drama. Remind anyone of Gianni Schicchi?

If you liked what you heard, be sure to check out Floyd Collins, another musical by Adam Guettel. Clara, not featured in this scene, was first played by classically trained soprano Kelli O’Hara. Ms. O’Hara made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Valencienne in The Merry Widow in 2015, and, she sang the role of Despina in the Met's new production of Cosi fan tutte this past March.

"I’ve Decided to Marry You" (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder)

This musical's plot basically follows the "let’s kill every living family member so you can inherit the family fortune" trope, featuring a side of love. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is based off Roy Horniman’s 1907 novel, Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal. The show opened on Broadway in 2013 with music by Steven Lutvak and lyrics by Robert Freedman. In this scene, the main character, Monty Navarro, is literally stuck between two women.

This musical’s director, Darko Tresnjak, won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for his work on this production. He is also directing the Met’s 2018/2019 season opener, Samson et Dalila.

"Tonight (Quintet)" (West Side Story)

West Side Story is the 1950's American musical version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The show opened on Broadway in 1957 with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This scene is the musical number before the rumble between the two gangs. The video clip below is from the 2009 Broadway Revival recording session, which features Spanish lyrics written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Bernstein has also composed numerous musicals, the operetta Candide, and a mass. Many opera companies have been celebrating Bernstein this year in honor of his centennial. Be sure to check your local opera company and summer YAP seasons to help celebrate Bernstein at 100!

"A Weekend in the Country" (A Little Night Music)

A Little Night Music is based off the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, and yes, the title comes form Mozart’s serenade, Eine kleine Nachtmusik. This musical premiered on Broadway in 1973 with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This show is about three romantic couples and how they all intertwine. In the Act One finale, they all agree to meet for a weekend in the country. Sounds harmless, right?

I could talk about Stephen Sondheim until his centennial! For starters, his mentor in his early years was Oscar Hammerstein II of the duo Rogers and Hammerstein. He then became a Broadway lyricist, and now a Broadway composer. Other notable shows include Into the Woods, Passion, Follies, Company, Sweeney Todd, Assassins, and so many more. He is still composing today.

"Prologue" (Ragtime)

The musical Ragtime opened on Broadway in 1998 with music and lyrics by the duo Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Ragtime is based off the novel of the same title written by E.L. Doctorow. The story centers around three different groups of people in early 1900's New Rochelle, New York. Below is the opening scene of the show, in which the audience is introduced to many of the characters. This is the shortened version of the song for the Tony Award performance.

Flaherty and Ahrens also wrote the music for the Broadway musicals Once on this Island and Anastasia. If you like storytelling, you’ll want to listen to this show. But no matter what, go ahead and listen to it Anyway. Trust me.

Musical theatre has grown and changed over the years, but like opera, the music helps move the story along. I hope these scenes can help you dive into the world of musical theatre and spice up your rep.