The famed Waa-Mu Show is Northwestern University’s own original musical, written, performed, and presented by Northwestern students. As Northwestern’s oldest theatrical tradition, now in its 86th year, The Waa-Mu Show provides undergraduates with the unparalleled opportunity to create an original musical each year and strives to place itself at the forefront of new musical theatre writing, continuing to push the limits of the “greatest college show in America.” (Associated Press). Students serve as leaders in every aspect of development from conception through production to create a show exploring themes and stories that inspire, challenge, and engage. For more information about this year’s production and those involved, visit waamushow.org. This year, the story begins in 1866 in New York City. Days before opening, a failing melodrama finds itself in need of an overhaul. Simultaneously, a Parisian ballet troupe is left without a theatre in the wake of a devastating fire. Racing against the clock and praying for a miracle, the troupes decide to combine their talents and create a new show with song, dance, and drama. Against all odds, this ragtag group of artists work together and learn from each other to create not only the very first American musical, but a spectacular hit.