Top 10 New Musical Theatre Duets for Men
Since my first post for the Green Room was all about duets for the ladies, it only seemed fair to flip the coin this week and round up the best-of-the-best male duets. What makes this collection of songs unique is the wide dramatic range it covers. Some songs are heartwarming, some heartbreaking, and others fantastically outrageous. What will you be singing?
1. MY BEST FRIEND – Jonathan Reid Gealt
Gealt’s debut album, Thirteen Stories Down, is packed with amazing stories. I’d be remiss not to place this one, “My Best Friend,” at the top of this list. Two friends reunite after years apart. They come to find they’re still the same after all those years with the help of new discoveries and rehashing their old adventures.
2. BLAZE A TRAIL – Thomson and Mann
The repetitive driving piano part serves to fuel Seth and Mike’s determination in this piece from the musical Trails. These two bright-eyed and bushy-tailed hikers gear up to conquer the Appalachian Trail.
3. DIFFERENT KIND OF MAN – Michael Patrick Walker
Two men relate to one other as they share how they disappointed their fathers as they were growing up. The subject matter is universal and incredibly sad, but optimism prevails in the strength these two men show.
4. FUNKY FRIED PIECE OF MAN MEAT – Drew Gasparini
If the title alone didn’t do it for you, the lyrics in this duet are ridiculously clever. Gasparini turns a phrase with the best of them. Comic actors, you will love this piece.
5. HALFWAY – Ryan Scott Oliver
This beautiful uptempo song unites two long-distance lovers, one from Los Angeles and the other from New York. When they’re together, sparks fly. It also stars the town of Tonganoxie, Kansas. (How many times can you say that about a song?)
6. HENRY AND MUDGE – Kerrigan-Lowdermilk
This piece comes from the musical of the same name, based on Cynthia Rylant’s beloved children’s books. It’s about the love a boy (Henry) and his goofy dog (Mudge) share. This is a perfect song if you’re looking for something to perform for younger audiences.
7. THE THANKSGIVING PLAN – Kerrigan-Lowdermilk
I sort of cheated with this pick since technically it’s a group number, but it features a duet within it so I’m going to say that counts. What starts out as a fairly motivational movement to reclaim Thanksgiving dinner turns into a disaster meal.
8. VEGAS – Kerrigan-Lowdermilk
This Las Vegas fantasy from Tales from the Bad Years is unapologetically loud and wild. High tenors, be sure to check out the higher key. It rocks up to an A4 for Guy 1 and G4 for Guy 2.
9. PRETTY SWEET DAY – Pasek and Paul
Two friends lose touch with a former friend who now spends all of his time with his girlfriend, Rachel. The guys reminisce about all the “pretty sweet days” they’ve spent together as friends.
10. CRISIS AVERTED – Michael Friedman
This is a fairly short duet from the rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. The show version includes ensemble dialogue. It starts off fairly optimistic, but later takes a cynical turn.
What are your favorite duets for two men to listen to or perform? Tell us in the comments!
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