A 2017 movie musical starring
Hugh Jackman
as circus mogul
P.T. Barnum
,
The Greatest Showman
features original songs by the writing team of
Benj Pasek
and
Justin Paul
. Earlier the same year, the duo took home a Tony Award for their score for Best Musical winner
Dear Evan Hansen
, as well as an Oscar for their lyrics to
La La Land
's "City of Stars." Despite being set in the mid-19th century,
's songs are pure contemporary theater-pop, delivered by a cast that also includes
Michelle Williams
Zac Efron
, Broadway powerhouse
Keala Settle
, and Disney Channel alum-turned-Top 40 artist
Zendaya
. All provide rousing performances of anthemic material about overcoming odds that include the
Settle
-led ensemble piece "This Is Me" and
Efron
's "Rewrite the Stars." Also delivering the vocal goods is
Loren Allred
, who did the singing for
Rebecca Ferguson
's portrayal of real-life opera singer
Jenny Lind
-- also represented in pop-diva style here. The soundtrack went on to top not only the soundtrack chart but the Billboard 200. ~ Marcy Donelson