Pairing Sparkling Wine with Musicals

Broadway and West End are both famous theatre districts that host high-quality musical productions.

Broadway refers to a group of live theatre venues in New York City. They must meet strict guidelines to be considered Broadway, including:

Having 500 seats or more
Being located in the Theatre District in Midtown, Manhattan (between 41st and 54th Streets and between 6th and 8th Avenues)
Certified by The Broadway League, the trade association for the Broadway industry

The West End area is home to some of the most famous theatre streets in the world, including Shaftesbury Avenue, The Strand and Drury Lane.

Below are some of the best types of sparkling wines to enjoy in the interval of these popular types of musicals.

Book Musicals

Book musicals are perhaps the most traditional form of musical theatre, featuring a clear storyline with well-developed characters, along with great music and lyrics that seamlessly work together. Examples of book musicals include classics such as West Side Story and The Sound of Music, as well as more recent hits like Dear Evan Hansen. Wicked, Hadestown and Hamilton. A great pairing with this traditional musical is a glass of Vintage Champagne, which is made in the traditional method, will be rich and complex in flavours and aromas, smooth and creamy, seamlessly working together.

Concept Musicals

Concept musicals focus on themes and messages rather than a traditional plot. Examples include: A Chorus Line, which focuses on the struggles and dreams of Broadway dancers auditioning for a show,  Cabaret, which explores themes of decadence and political corruption in pre-WWII Berlin and Chicago, which explores the corruption in the criminal justice system in Chicago and the concept of ‘celebrity criminals’. A glass of English sparkling wine would pair well with a concept musical, it is made in the same traditional way as Champagne, so shares similarities in flavours and aromas, but it is also known for its crisp acidity, so give it time to express its full characteristics.

Jukebox Musicals

Jukebox musicals use the songs of a recording artist, band or style of music to form the basis for a production. Examples of jukebox musicals include: Mamma Mia, an ABBA-inspired musical about a young woman trying to figure out which of three men is her father, Jersey Boys, which uses the music of the Four Seasons and Movin’ Out, a musical that features songs by Billy Joel. A Moscato d’Asti, which is floral, fruity and fun, will pair with this type of musical, where you already know the songs to sing along to.

Rock Musicals

Rock musicals are characterised by their score, which is dominated by rock music, often accompanied by electric guitars, drum sets, and powerful vocals. Examples of rock musicals include Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rock of Ages and School of Rock. An Australian Sparkling Red Shiraz is a vibrant, deep, full-bodied, rich wine with ripe and intense fruit flavours, this powerful sparkling wine will pair well with the powerful rock musical.

Disney-style Musicals

Disney-style musicals are family-friendly and often based on animated films. The best of this type of musical brings the beloved animated film to life with its stunning sets, memorable songs and enchanting story. Examples of Disney-style musicals include Frozen, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. A glass of Prosecco, as it’s light, fruity and easy to drink, will pair well with the well-loved and magical world of Disney-style musicals.