The Broadway “I’m Becoming” Song: Inside Musical Theatre's Big Transformation Numbers
- Waymon Hudson
- Sep 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 13
From hesitation to liberation, the Broadway "I'm Becoming" song captures the moment a character stops asking for permission and starts stepping into themselves.
Every great musical has a moment where the character doesn’t just want something —They start becoming someone new.
In musical theatre, we talk a lot about the “I Want” song (you met the concept and Jules’ song in Something’s Brewing last week). But what happens after that spark? When the fire catches? When the character doesn’t just crave change… they start living it?
That’s where the Broadway "I’m Becoming" song comes in.
And it’s one of the most electric parts of a show.
🎼 The Anatomy of Transformation (With Help from Wicked)
Let’s go full musical nerd for a second. In most modern musicals, you’ll find a three-song character arc:
The “I Want” Song — Desire is named. The spark is lit.
The Wizard and I (Wicked)
Something’s Brewing (Speakeasy)
The “I’m Becoming” Song — The character starts living differently. They take risks. They change.
Defying Gravity (Wicked)
Inside (Speakeasy)
The “I Am” Song — The full transformation. They’ve become who they were meant to be — or who they chose to be.
No Good Deed or For Good (Wicked)
I Choose This (Speakeasy)
And that middle one? It’s the turning point.
It’s the one that gets you on your feet. It’s the one that gets louder every time you hear it.
It’s joy. Power. Risk. Sweat. If you’ve ever belted ‘Defying Gravity’ in your car with full vibrato and zero shame…
You already know exactly what I’m talking about.
💃 Welcome Inside: A Dance-Fueled Queer Awakening
In Speakeasy, the Broadway “I’m Becoming” song moment is Inside — a brassy, joyful explosion that takes place the moment Jules crosses the threshold into the Velvet Boot for the first time.
Up until now, she’s been peeking through the cracks in her life — but now?
She’s stepping into the fire.
🎭 The Scene:
Jules has just learned the secret knock.
She’s standing outside the Velvet Boot, unsure — but burning with curiosity.
And then… she enters.
She’s met by Merc, the queer, mischievous heart of the speakeasy — and suddenly, the world opens up.
Drag queens wink. Boys in pearls flirt. Jazz floods the air. The lights burn gold.
And Jules begins to move.
She dances. She sings.
She becomes.
🔥 The Lyrics Say It All
Here’s just a taste of what’s waiting Inside:
Inside… it’s louder than the warnings in my head.
Inside… it’s heat, it’s hands, it’s sweat, it’s skin —
It’s where life’s music lets light in.
And later:
They said, “Don’t look.” They said, “Beware.”
But all I see is life laid bare.
The drag, the jazz, the fire, the kiss —
If this is sin… I choose this.
Let’s be real — that’s not just a lyric.
That’s a declaration.
🎧 Why It Matters
Inside is more than just a showstopper (although trust — it slaps).
It’s the heartbeat of a transformation. The moment Jules stops obeying and starts becoming.
It’s queer joy on full display.
It’s a love letter to the spaces that made us — the underground clubs, the chosen families, the places where we finally stopped hiding.
🎶 Listen to Inside Now
Want to feel it for yourself?
🎧 The full track of Inside is live now.
Don’t just stay outside.
Come in.
The music’s playing.
The doors are open.
And something inside you might just start to dance.
Read about the entire fundimental Broadway character arc:
And read the arc on Broadway's Soft Boys, Masculinity, and Rome's arc in Speakeasy:
🌟 Watch More in Behind Broadway
Want to go deeper into the craft of musical theatre? Check out my new YouTube series:
✨ Behind Broadway: Your Insider’s Guide to Musical Theatre’s Hidden Magic ✨
I’m breaking down the storytelling secrets behind songs like this every week — from Speakeasy and beyond.
✨ Stay Tuned…
Next week? We finish Jules’ arc with a full-throated belt that says it all:
I Choose This.
Until then, stay loud. Stay proud.
And keep becoming.
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