Gothic Musicals? - Places To Get Started

The entire Gothic subculture has much more in common with theatre than might be thought by the casual observer. Theatre is all about magic and whimsy, being transported to a world more exciting than societal life. Theatre is melodrama to the extreme, with extravagant costumes, the focus on strong emotions, and bombastic music. But, what if you're looking for musicals that will really whet a Gothic desire? Here are a few of my favorites. Yes, pretty much all of them are non-English. But, hopefully that won't make you go "Ugh, FOREIGN!" and stomp off (It better not...*cynical eye*). And besides, many nice Internet denizens have given us the gift of English subtitles.

1. Tanz der Vampire

Yup, it's that show I've been writing those ridiculously overanalytical essays about. It's my favorite musical, and for a reason. Based off the film Dance Of The Vampires  (fellow Americans might recognize it better as The Fearless Vampire Killers), this show is drama at its most dramatic, and almost purely Gothic. Not just for the sweeping orchestrations, lush costumes, vampires, and dramatic sets, but for the dark humor and self-parody inherent in the show. All staples of Goth at its best. 

2. Elisabeth

Elisabeth, by the same writer who made Tanz, is based off the historic empress of Austria, Elisabeth of Bavaria (AKA Sissi). Now, wait - come back! It's not boring! First of all, it's turned into a fantasy - her tragic life is depicted as the result of a struggle/romance with Death himself, who is personified as a handsome man determined to "win" her. The story is narrated from beyond the grave by Luigi Lucheni, her assassin, in an attempt to prove that Elisabeth deserved to die.

Even ignoring the fact that we have freaking Death as a main character, the show is filled to the brim with Gothic elements - again, the lush music with a heavy focus on the tragic emotions of each character, dramatic costumes, and extensive sets. But even more than that, this musical is very much laden with symbolism of decay, and focuses on the allure of death to a person with problems in their life. (And face it, we all have problems.)

There's also literal Angels Of Death and a Stairway To Heaven/Hell/Purgatory. Awesome.

3. Rebecca

If you call yourself a fan of Gothic literature, you should immediately realize why this is on the list: It's an adaptation of Daphne Du Maure's Gothic classic of the same title!

It's a third musical by that same Tanz and Elisabeth  guy, Michael Kunze. Unlike the former two, though, this musical's dark focus is, like the novel it's based on, more concerned with emotional and psychological drama than the physical aspects of it.

4. Rómeó És Júlia

This is the Hungarian adaptation of the French musical "Romeo Et Juliette" which, in turn, is an adaptation of Romeo And Juliet. Why the Hungarian version instead of the original? The Hungarian, while the music is largely the same, has many more Gothic elements - more darkness, the costumes are both dark and weird (this is not Verona - this is some out-of-any-era steampunk world), and the show is just generally more dramatic. The spirit of hate is more intensified between characters.

5. Lestat, The Musical

After you've gotten over your initial shock of "This actually exists?", the music from this show is actually pretty darn good. Could it be better? Of course. But it's a fun show to listen to nonetheless. Also, Drew Sarich. Just him.

 I haven't read any of Anne Rice's works in a long time, so I can't say how faithful the show is to the books, but from what I remember it sticks pretty close.

6. Carrie, The Musical

And now I can hear everyone out there instantly doubting my taste. After all, wasn't this supposed to be "the worst Broadway show EVAR!!!"? Well, you should really listen yourself. The music is sheerly amazing, the singers (in the pro productions, at least) very suited. And it's faithful to the book. "And Eve Was Weak" is the most powerful song I've heard in any  English-language musical, ever.

This is actually the least Gothic musical on this list, but it still bears inclusion. In addition to those couple very dark songs, the story is of course still that of Carrie, arguably the most famous story of telekinesis.

(...And "In" is really catchy, darn it!)

Now, how about some adaptations of the most beloved vampire story in history?

7. Dracula, Das Musical

The most faithful stage adaptation of the story I've seen, and my personal favorite. What can I say, literally everything  about this show is Gothic! The musical was originally written by Wildhorn, but don't run away - the music is dark, perfectly suited to the story, and the sets, while sometimes a little sparse, work. I really cannot stretch how awesome the music is here. You never thought Renfield's madness could be put to song? Bah!

8. Dracula, El Musical

I'm on the edge about this show. Some of the songs are nice, but there doesn't seem to be enough drama or emotion in the music. But it's still rather dark and worth a listen, so I'm putting it here.

9. Drakula

Yay, a Hungarian musical! This production is very much love it or hate it - I actually didn't like it the first time I watched it, but now I've come to love it. It's not faithful to the book (Renfield and Seward are completely gone, and the plot has been shortened and simplified), but it's very good if you just think about it as its own story using the characters of Jonathan, Mina, Lucy, Dracula, etc.

Honestly, the opening song is the best part of the show for me. It's catchy, epic, driving, and just awesome. And Hungarian, which automatically makes it cool.

And as for Gothic elements: The entire show. Sets, songs - everything. It's like Tanz's little sister.

10. Drákula (The long mark is important, here.)

This is my second-favorite Dracula musical. The music is simply fantastic, the atmosphere gloriously Gothic, and the sets well-used. A bit of a disclaimer for anyone expecting a faithful book adaptation: This is not the story in the novel, but rather the story of Dracula's life through the ages - how he became a vampire, his existence in different time periods, etc.

Similar to the concept of the Death Angels in Elisabeth, here death is personified by three incredibly creepy dancers, who might seem at first a little unnecessary, but which really enhance the show overall.

These are only a few of the great Gothic musicals out there, and they're all worth more attention.

Also, the first person to ask about Phantom Of The Opera gets shot.