My Top 5 Showtunes: Michael Jibson
Michael's theatre credits include Our House, for which he was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and appeared in Take Flight at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2008.
He will direct the NYMT 40th Anniversary Gala at the Adelphi this Sunday.
We caught up with Michael and asked him: "If you were stranded on a desert island which five showtunes could you not live without?"
My top five show tunes? This is hard! Of course I have a lot, so to narrow it down to five, I will come at it with this in mind: songs from shows that get me really excited. Some of the songs below are from shows I've seen and one song is from a show I haven't yet seen – I can't wait!
1. "Flying Away" from Fun Home
This was that last show I saw in New York and it totally bowled me over. Everything about it was brilliant. The music, lyrics, design, performances and direction were seamless.
The moment at the end of the show where Alison sings a trio with two younger versions of herself was like a celebration of modern musical theatre. It was the perfect finale to a brilliant, brave and heartwarming show. It made me cry a bit too.
2. "The Riddle Song" from Floyd Collins
I've heard that Stephen Sondheim reckons this is one of the best songs ever written. Whenever I'm depressed about stuff I stick this song on… loud. Adam Guettel is, in my view, the most exciting musical theatre composer It's so playful and silly in places, yet it's epic, raw and complicated.
I got to see Adam perform this number in a concert he did in London and to see him talk about how "every song he writes always starts with the character", then hear his interpretation of this song live was a lesson in how to let the music and lyrics do all the work for you. Write more shows please, Adam.
3. "Trial Before Pilate" from Jesus Christ Superstar
When I was about 17, the year before I went to drama school, I would listen to the 1996 concept cast recording of Superstar, which later opened at the Lyceum. It was my first West End show. I would listen to Steve Balsamos' "Gethsemane" with amazement, but it was David Burts' "Pilate" that I would play on loop.
A year or so later, I was lucky enough to be cast in a new production of Pippin at the Bridewell Theatre in London. When we did the read through, I recognised some of the voices in the room. I nearly fell off my chair when I realised it was Burts who I'd just been listening to on my way into work. He's one of our best.
4. "Washington On Your Side" from Hamilton
This is a show I'm yet to see. I tried in vain to get tickets when I was in NYC last year. I tried EVERYONE I know. I even managed to get a message to Lin Manuel through a mate and failed to get in. I got in the lottery line that could've filled that theatre four times over. I'm gutted that I never got to see it with that original cast.
I think this show is a game changer. I would list all the songs if I could, but this is the song that during my first listen, slapped me around the face with the sense that this was raising the bar in terms of storytelling.
5. "Go" from Road Show
I was lucky enough be in the European premiere of Road Show at the Menier Chocolate Factory and played opposite (my now great mate) David Bedella, who sang this song to me every night on my death bed. It's about family and the unconditional love that we have our siblings. Stephen Sondheim is incomparable when it comes to his exploration of the human condition through musical theatre and I could put more than a few of his songs on here, but this one is particularly close to my heart.
Michael will direct the NYMT 40th Anniversary Gala at the Adelphi this Sunday 30 October.
