The best structured musicals- Page 2
The best structured musicals
#25The best structured musicals
Posted: 10/12/23 at 9:02pm
It feels like the idea of the iron clad musical is being challenged and the new territory is reviving musicals (and plays) that were seen as flawed or even flops. The old feather-in-the-cap of the rising director were radical interpretations of classics, now it feels like the platform to show one's brilliance as a director or as a performer is to bring new life to properties that have been overlooked or even rejected.
I personally think this trend is fabulous and exciting.
BETTY22
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/29/13
ErmengardeStopSniveling
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
#27The best structured musicals
Posted: 10/12/23 at 9:21pm
sinister teashop said: "It feels like the idea of a the iron clad musical is being challenged and the new territory is reviving musicals (and plays) that were seen as flawed or even flops. The old feather-in-the-cap of the rising director were radical interpretations of classics, now it feels like the platform to show one's brilliance as a director or as a performer is to bring new life to properties that have been overlooked or even rejected.
I personally think this trend is fabulous and exciting."
Yes and I think we are going to see more revisals in the coming years, especially as older shows inch towards becoming public domain, or shows want to try to stay culturally relevant. Similar to film remakes. I'm fine with book-polishing. Lord knows lots of so-called "great" shows could use it, from Sound of Music to Bye Bye Birdie and plenty of lesser-known titles.
Problems arise when you get an UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN situation, where they tried to jury-rig new lyrics into old songs to fit a book that ultimately nobody gave a damn about.
Rentaholic2
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/14/04
#28The best structured musicals
Posted: 10/13/23 at 12:25am
FosseTharp said: "FosseTharp said: "This thread immediately reminded me of the NY Mag article from 2011 with Jesse Green, Nora Ephron, Frank Rich, George C Wolfe and Jonathan Tunick where they discussed and came up with the definitive best musical ever written (On Paper).
I just found the link but as it’s been over a decade since I read the article I could be wrong but I believe the consensus became GUYS AND DOLLS as the best written on paper. I believe FIDDLER was #2, IIRC.
The Greatest Musical: “I Can’t Live With ‘West Side Story’ Not Being Among the Finalists”"
Nevermind, Fiddler was one of the 13 eliminated off the bat… which is shocking to me but now I remember that being the case when reading it initially which I thought was shocking.
"
I love this article and think about it often. I'm too lazy to check, but I think they ultimately end up saying the best five are Gypsy, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, the King & I, and Guys and Dolls (not sure if there's an order).
For those of you saying FIDDLER, I agree, and meant to include that on my list.
I'm sure this is a controversial opinion, but I actually don't think MY FAIR LADY makes the cut. The stakes are never high enough to justify the length of the show for me. Shave 30 minutes off, and it's perfect.
#29The best structured musicals
Posted: 10/13/23 at 5:56am
I would have to say Miss Saigon. It is the best structured show I have seen. Every bar of music and every single word is there for a reason. There is not one superfluous moment in the show. Each note matches each syllable in terms of meaning and emotion. It's a masterpiece. From the first second of the show to the very last, it is a rocket flight of perfectly executed moments, unbelievably well connected to eachother. The scene transitions in both staging and music are terrific. It's just highlight after highlight after highlight, not in the big number kind of way, but especially in all the little delicate moments, brilliantly woven into eachother. Just when you need to breathe, the show leaves a moment in that exact moment for that, before it sweeps you to the next moment, from laughter to crying to excitement to terror, perfectly led by the structure. What a ride. The structure is also complimented by the fact that it is composed/sung through. Never does the audience have to adjust or switch between spoken or sung languages.
Rumpelstiltskin
Broadway Star Joined: 4/22/07
#30The best structured musicals
Posted: 10/13/23 at 7:22am
Rentaholic2 said: "I know we all have our thoughts on which musicals are the overall "best," but I'd like to know what people think are the best in terms of structure - shows that are so ironclad in their composition that they almost always work . . ."
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