Last week my friends were lamenting how many musicals I haven't seen in my lifetime. We ended up with a list of about 15, but alas, I cannot remember them all. It turns out that the BYU library carries a huge number of musicals, all I need to do is find out which ones are worth my time. Any cool hatrackers out there who can offer me some suggestions? I just finished watching "Seven Brides..." and we're working on some others. It's a longterm project. I'll try to update the list whenever I get new suggestions.
Ones I have seen: Annie (I mean, who hasn't?) The King and I (ditto) Into the Woods (first one we did for this project...I loves the Princes!) Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Just finished, very cool) Grease
Ones I haven't seen: I'm not even going to try. This has become bigger than me.
[ March 17, 2004, 11:14 PM: Message edited by: sarcasticmuppet ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
The Pajama Game Chess Merrily We Roll Along Fiddler on the Roof Sunday in the Park with George Damn Yankees
and watch the original Music Man!
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
South Park, Chicago, and Little Mermaid.
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
Man of La Mancha - but I'd recommend seeing it on stage. That's how I got to see it the first time. It was my birthday present when I was 11 or 12. (The show was on a national tour and it came through our city close to my birthday.)
Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :
My Fair Lady
At least the High School play I saw wayyyyy back when was good.
[ March 14, 2004, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: Stan the man ]
Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
Brigadoon.
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
My personal fav is "J.C. Superstar".
"What's the buzz, tell me what's a happening, what's the buzz?"
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
AHH! You are all forgetting the best one of all!! Les Miserables
[ March 14, 2004, 12:15 AM: Message edited by: Valentine014 ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Oooops! Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Ah jeez, people: The Sound of Music! Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
1776 Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Little Shop of Horrors Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
Jekyll & Hyde.
But ONLY the original 2CD Pre-release version. This version is PERFECT. They butchered it after that.
Posted by Yozhik (Member # 89) on :
*seconds Fiddler on the Roof*
The Blues Brothers Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
*thirds Fiddler on the Roof* Traaaadition!!
Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
I honestly am not all that crazy about musicals. However, I love, love, love "Kiss Me, Kate". Might have something to do with the fact that I was props mistress and set dresser for a community college production of it about ten or twelve years ago and grew very fond of it then.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Grease?
Yozhik, while your suggestion was excellent, you did forget to put a next to the Blues Brothers ( ). *tsk tsk*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Sorry, Val, I actually have SofM! And the soundtrack, too! Don't know how I forgot that one. I second it, anyway.
I also second 1776 and LSofH!
[Addit: and Grease!]
[ March 14, 2004, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Linkie Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
Ohhhh...that's a great list, Valentine.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Wow, indeed! Although for many that I know can be purchased, or do have lyrics elsewhere on the net, they lack links.
But they remind me -- must see Sweeney Todd! *hums* "Have a Little Priest" ♫
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
"do you think that walls can hide you, even now I'm at your window..."
Thank you rivka. I was beginning to think these people were all musical-deprived.
It's all about Sweeney Todd. And Into the Woods.
I also love:
Once on this Island A Little Night Music The Producers Joseph and the ATD
And my very favoritest of ALL time is "The Secret Garden." Fantastic, fabulous musical.
[ March 14, 2004, 01:07 AM: Message edited by: Narnia ]
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
no "Phantom of the opera"?
Posted by lcarus (Member # 4395) on :
Ah, yes . . . Joseph!
Oh, and while I'm seconding, I might as well second Chess and Man of La Mancha. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Seen:
Chess (Incredible. Some of my favorite music of all time.) Phantom of the Opera Miss Saigon (I didn't know the story when I saw this, and I was in tears for the rest of the day.) Smokey Joe's Cafe Showboat Jekyll and Hyde ( Not as good as it could or should have been.) Into the Woods Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat The Pirates of Penzance Les Miserables Guys and Dolls (Fabulous.) The Secret Garden (I LOVE Lily's Eyes.)
Want to see: Sweeney Todd (Saw the recording, but must see in person) The Scarlett Pimpernell (Have you seen the movie? An almost perfect movie.) Passions Assassins Sunset Boulevard
[ March 14, 2004, 08:22 AM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
FINALLY someone mentioned Joseph! I was wondering why it hadn't come up yet...
Also, Guys and Dolls is one of my favorites.
Pippin is fun.
Hello Dolly is a must.
My Fair Lady (which many mentioned) is another one you must see.
There are TONS more, but Val posted a list, so my listing them individually is a bit pointless. Musicals are the best musical genre ever, I adore them all! I LOVE musicals. Love them, love them, love them.
Hehe, just ask the people who know me, I don't really listen to anything else. Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Yes, Phantom of the Opera!
And--I can't believe no one's mentioned Rent. I would sell my soul to see Rent with the original Angel.
Jen
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
Ah yes, Rent is great. I got to see it on Broadway.
"No other road No other way No day but today"
And Secret Garden's been mentioned. I think that's the first broadway album I ever listened to. Simply gorgeous.
"It's a maze this garden it's a maze of ways, meant to set a soul astray Take a left and then take a right again 's how a soul can find his way."
And Les Mis should be just, well, understood without being stated.
"And I'm Javert. Do not forget my name! Do not forget me, 24601!"
"Is there another way to go? I missed it twenty long years ago. My life was a war that could never be won They gave me a number and murdered Valjean When they chained me and left me for dead. Just for stealing a mouthful of bread!"
And although not technically a musical, I've been listening to the original album of The Who's TOMMY a lot lately. Some great stuff.
"There is no chance no untried operation. All hope lies with him and none with me. Imagine though the shock from isolation. When he suddenly can hear and speak and see."
[ March 14, 2004, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: Taalcon ]
Posted by Avadaru (Member # 3026) on :
quote: And--I can't believe no one's mentioned Rent. I would sell my soul to see Rent with the original Angel.
Jen, aren't you glad I made you listen to the second disc? You know you are, even though you won't admit it. I'm sorry I made you sad. But I'm glad I now have someone with whom to sing Rent in the car. Because Rent is the best musical EVER. Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :
I saw the BYU production of Smokey Joe's Cafe about a month ago. It was pretty awesome.
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
*has a feeling BYU would never host a production of RENT*
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
An American in Paris Meet me in St. Loius White Christmas On The Town
Hey, didn't OSC meet his wife when they were in a production of Brigadoon together?
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Starlight Express was the first live musical I ever saw (followed closely by Fiddler on the Roof) and I loved it.
Cats hasn't been mentioned, and that's an incredible show (much better live!).
EDIT: Oliver! is the best movie of a musical I have ever seen. If you haven't seen it, rent it RIGHT NOW!
[ March 14, 2004, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: Teshi ]
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
Since it hasn't been mentioned, I must add:
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Robert Morse is the man. You have to see it.
By the way, I'm going to re-read through this thread and see where I missed White Christmas. I can't believe a thread about musicals could go on this long and skip such a classic. If I don't see it, I'll be very disappointed.
[edit: Okay, I see it. Romanylass has spared you from my terrible wrath.]
[ March 14, 2004, 06:56 PM: Message edited by: Speed ]
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
Ava: I'll have to be honest with you, I really didn't care for RENT, maybe it was the subject matter. Give me Les Mis over that any day.
Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
By the way, if you'd like to see a musical that isn't exactly a classic... in fact you may be the only person you know who's ever seen it... but is absolutely brilliant, see:
Trust me. Find a place to rent it. If you can't rent it, buy it. It's only $9 from Amazon, which is what it would cost you to rent it twice anyway. It's worth many times that. If you can't afford it, come to my house and I'll show it to you. It's fantastic. It's creative. It's original. Get it. See it. Love it. You'll never regret it. I guarantee it. What are you waiting for? In fact, I think I'm going to go see it again now. Adios.
Posted by JenniK (Member # 3939) on :
Well, my origional college major was musical theater, so I have seen many, both onstage and in video form. My all time fave is of course:Les Miserables. It was my dream to perform as Eponine on Broadway, alas that is not to be. Phantom is also well done...never sit in the side balcony area you can see all the trap doors and it takes away from the magic of the performance. Same goes for Beauty and the Beast. Fiddler is good, Joseph ATD is good.
Cats South Pacific The King and I Kiss Me Kate Rent The Producers The Music Man Lion King Oklahoma Carousel Sound of Music West Side Story(required to view in 7th grade music in West Springfield...aka West Side,MA) Camelot Miss Saigon Evita
Going My Way Bells of St Mary's Road to Bali (bing Crosby and Bob Hope)
There are so many that I have seen and many that I have performed in (Grease, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Sound of Music, Annie, South Pacific, etc...) that I can't tell you of any but those that I like, which of course I feel all are good or awesome..like Les Mis and The Producers. Any Questions about them ..let me know !
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
quote: Joseph and the ATD
My cousin was the story-teller in Joseph when it was on Broadway... great show!
quote: The Scarlet Pimpernel
I agree that this movie is almost perfect. I haven't seen the musical but I have read the book (which is also amazing). My favorite thing about the movie is how they twisted the plot around just enough that even though I'd read the book I still didn't know how it would all work out.
For my part, I recommend seeing mulitple Gilbert and Sullivan musicals (I'm in a producaion of HMS Pinafore right now which is a good one, as is the Makado and Pirates of Penzance)
The musical I really want to see is Wicked. I've heard the soundtrack and it's based on an awesome book... but I'd have to go to NY to see it.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady is one of my all-time favorite movies.
"I've grown accustomed to her face"
I love musicals. I have My Fair Lady and Camelot on DVD....I need to be augmenting my DVD library with more.
Oh, forgot to add - I've seen JC Superstar live, and it was awesome.
[ March 14, 2004, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: Belle ]
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
I know quite a few musicals -- most of the famous ones have been mentioned here, but there are a few more obscure ones that are definitely worth your time if you get the opportunity to rent/go see one....
Movie Musicals: Summer Stock Take Me Out to the Ballgame Anchors Away State Fair Pirates of Penzance (w/ Kevin Kline) Funny Girl Putting it Together (w/ Carol Burnett) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (also see the stage play!) Gigi Finian's Rainbow
Stage Musicals: Lucky Stiff A New Brain Titanic You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown Crazy For You Jane Eyre The Full Monty Urinetown
There are so many more, but i'm having a brain fart at the moment -- this is what i get for not being in a show for almost a year!
Had a question, though...what is Emilie? I know most every musical and I've *never* heard of this!
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
How can no one have mentioned Godspell?
I still love that show, even after directing and stage managing it. I usually can't stand to see or hear a musical that I did and this is the lone exception (I'd rather see Rob Schneider as a stapler than see Fiddler or Charlie Brown again).
Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
Newsies.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
42nd Street is my all-time favorite.
I don't know if these all count as musicals, but I want to see them:
Mamma Mia The Full Monty Rent Movin' Out
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
The Fantastiks also I second a lot of the ones out there, i was going to say Godspell if Mrs. M hadn't.
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
Glad, she says? GLAD I listened to the second disk? I am absolutely the opposite of glad. I am unglad.
Nasty Avadaru gave me the soundtrack to Rent without warning me that my favorite character was going to die. Dreadful girl.
Jen
Posted by alicia (Member # 537) on :
katherine-- I love Lily's Eyes from Secret Garden too. For the life of me I can't think of the one with the Leprechaun... I liked that one. The movie was dumb but I saw a great staging of it and loved it. Come on Musical buffs... what is the name of it. (Late 60's early 70's I think...)
I also saw a musical version of Shanedoah that was incredibly moving and beautiful.
So many of these depend on the quality of the production...
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
My Mom grew up watching nothing but movie musicals, apparently, so as soon as our family got a VCR, we started renting them by the truckload. As a kid, I saw most of the Rodgers & Hammerstein shows, as well as many others. I am proud to say I have never seen an Elvis movie musical, though.
My favorites are 1776 and Oliver! I also love: The Music Man Man of La Mancha Scrooge West Side Story Mame Singin' In the Rain The Sound of Music Fiddler on the Roof South Pacific Kismet (even though it's super cheesy) The Kind and I
You should absolutely stay away from: Flower Drum Song Carousel Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Anything with Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald
You should definitely see Oklahoma. It stinks (there are only two good songs - Poor Judd and Everything's up to Date in Kansas City), but it is a standard.
By the way, I don't know if there's anything in life more fun than playing in the pit orchestra for a live musical. I've played for Music Man, Fiddler, Singin in the Rain and Mame.
[ March 15, 2004, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: UofUlawguy ]
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I have seen nearly every musical listed so far (I love musicals) but my favorites will always remain as:
Music Man Brigadoon Sound of Music Blues Brothers (if that is considered a musical)
Wasn't Bye Bye Birdie a musical as well? I'm trying to remember...
Farmgirl
Posted by Plain Jane (Member # 6142) on :
Yes it was, but I pity anyone who's had to sit through it more than once.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Joseph and A Chorus Line are my favs.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
My favorites are Damn Yankees (saw the version with Jerry Lewis), Pippin, and Beauty and the Beast, although I thought the songs from the movie were far better than the songs added for Broadway.
Titanic (the play, not the movie) was OK. I did not care for Miss Saigon at all. To me it seemed like the composer looked at his watch and said, oops, 3 hours, time to end the play here.
I like West Side Story, Pirates of Pensanze[i] (also liked the Christy McNichol spoof of it from the 70s). The soundtrack from [i]Le Miz gets on my nerves, but that may be because my Mom and 2 of my sisters played it relentlessy when they got it for Christmas. If I ever here "Master of the House" again it will be too soon.
Dagonee P.S., and yes, the South Park Movie was actually a very good musical, in a unique, twisted way.
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
Oh sheesh, I can't remember the name... was it Nunsense? It's got a song that goes like,
"We've got to clean out The freezer by tomorrow morning Cuz the Jersey board of health has sent the Final warning."
Given all the replies on the Buffy thread I'm surprised nobody has suggested the Buffy musical episode. Or Xena or whatever other show did a musical episode.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Well, it hardly seemed fair to compare common musicals with something as amazing as the Buffy musical episode...
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
Dagonee is much braver than I am!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Indeed, but possibly equally tetched in the head. We were discussing good musicals, neh?
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
rivka,
and your point is...?
*sndrake, proving he, too, can be brave.*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Wait, I hafta have a point??
Man, that's going to be a LOT of posts to edit! Posted by amira tharani (Member # 182) on :
My parents are big Lloyd Webber fans, and I loved "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" so "Cats" was a hit with the whole family. I also like: Les Miserables (of course) Fiddler on the Roof Tommy (not perhaps strictly a musical but hey) Grease (both movie and stage versions) Starlight Express (not that keen on the music but the roller skates rock!) Bombay Dreams Into the Woods
and movies: The Full Monty Oliver Evita (Antonio Banderas as Che is wonderful, Madonna much less so, I thought) Chicago My Fair Lady (oh and our school production of it rocked too)
I haven't seen, but like the songs from: Phantom Blood Brothers (is this a Brit thing, no one's mentioned it?) Miss Saigon and odd songs from A little Night Music, Cabaret and others - my housemate Lizzie is very into musicals so I know a lot of odd songs (all the ones she plays and sings regularly) without knowing the full musical.
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
amira, Blood Brothers is *very* British, and pretty obscure in even the theatre community. So, yes, that's probably why no one's mentioned it!
and Alicia, the musical you're thinking of with the leprechaun is Finian's Rainbow. "How are things in Glocca Morra...."
Posted by Dreamwalker (Member # 4189) on :
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Must see it. It's espically for or the sci-fi geeks out there. It was almost a cult show here for years with people going to a midnight performance dressed as there favorite characters I think you can get it on video...
Posted by knightswhosayni! (Member # 4096) on :
My favorites are Phantom, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, Music Man and Caberet. Cinderella's ok.
If you ever have a chance to see Carnival, run away very quickly.
Ni!
[ March 16, 2004, 10:46 PM: Message edited by: knightswhosayni! ]
Posted by alicia (Member # 537) on :
Nobody remembers the leprechaun musical? AAAugh! I've been thinking all day and I do remember some of the music... "Look, Look, Look to the Rainbow" and "That old devil moon in your eyes..."
Help!
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
You're not thinking about Finnigan's Rainbow, are you? Was that even a musical?
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
*knock knock*
Who's There?
the answer to your question --that was given earlier on this page.
oh.
quote:and Alicia, the musical you're thinking of with the leprechaun is Finian's Rainbow. "How are things in Glocca Morra...."
BtL, you're combining Finian's Rainbow and Finnigan's Wake -- the latter is decidedly NOT a musical with a leprechaun
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
*bows to Leonide, the undisputed Mistress of Musicals*
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
Finian's Rainbow was silly and kind of weird, but it wasn't very good. On the other hand, it was the first Fred Astaire movie I ever saw.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Oh my gosh! I forgot Les Animales and Monorail !
Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
I forgot another of my favorites.
Paint Your Wagon.
It's amazing. It's got everything. Mormon polygamists. Cowboys (sort of). Fighting. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. And best of all, it's got Clint Eastwood singing a solo. ("I talk to the trees")
Okay, so it's also really cheesy. The Simpsons had a real point when they did a spoof of it. But it's still one of the greatest movie musicals ever. Seriously.
Posted by alicia (Member # 537) on :
Yea guys... Finians Rainbow. Thank you! I knew you would help me. You are right tho, the movie was really dumb, but I saw a live production and it was so well done that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
![[Blushing]](graemlins/blushing.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
next to the Blues Brothers ( ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Not as good as it could or should have been.)![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
![[Angst]](graemlins/angst.gif)