I think 1. Wicked 2. Rent 3. Avenue Q 4. Sweeney Todd 5. Footloose 6. Brooklyn 7. Tabbo 8. Little Shop of Horrors 9. West Side Story 10. Sound of Music
A Little Night Music Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sunday in the Park with George Pal Joey Passion Kiss Me, Kate Cabaret Merrily We Roll Along Company Follies
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Those 3 (well most of the shows on that list) are by no means "bad musicals." But when you consider all the musicals out there - I don't think they could come close to ranking in the top 10 of Best Musicals Ever.
To each his own, though. Updated On: 4/8/05 at 09:55 PM
Definitely see more shows. If you like WICKED and RENT and BROOKLYN and AVENUE Q, you haven't seen anything yet!
Go see/buy/rent:
-MAME -HELLO, DOLLY -FUNNY GIRL -GYPSY -INTO THE WOODS -GUYS & DOLLS -BYE BYE, BIRDIE -42nd STREET -COMPANY -FIDDLER ON THE ROOF -SOUTH PACIFIC -THE MUSIC MAN
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
When did anyone say that you "don't know any good musicals?" It's great that you have an interest in musical theatre, but why not expand your horizons a little more?
And CapnHook just posted a very good list of suggestions. I'd like to add Sweeney Todd, and some of the old Rogers and Hammerstein shows (Carousel, Oklahoma!, The King and I, etc), too.
Nothing is wrong with your taste in musicals. We're just saying that before you say "BROOKLYN" one of the top ten best musicals EVER, see some more shows.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Anything written by Sondheim Show Boat Of Thee I Sing (the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize) The Threepenny Opera Pal Joey Anything by Cole Porter
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
Buy the DVD "BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE" and also "BROADWAY - THE AMERICAN MUSICAL"
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Can I say that about 7/10 of sara's list makes me hurl?
OK. That was no personal attack, just my personal opinions.
My top 10 are: (In no particular order) Sweeney Todd The Sound of Music A Little Night Music Company Man of la Mancha Sunday in the Park with George West Side Story Cabaret Kiss Me, Kate Ragtime
Honorable mention: Caroline, or Change and Last 5 Years (as it wasn't ON Broadway)
1. Porgy and Bess 2. West Side Story 3. Sound of Music 4. RENT 5. Guys and Dolls 6. Into the Woods 7. The Lion King (set a mark for costumes if you ask me) 8. Cabaret 9. Chicago 10. Oklahoma
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
ok those musicals you just told me to like listen to or what ever, I have and I was in Music Man and to me you guys just like the boring stupid "white people" plays, I need something with a beat to it so I dont fall asleep, all those old musicals are as boring as hell, no offence or any thing, and when I said best musicals ever I meant it like as an opinion, not really speaking, and I have seen a lot of musicals I just like ones that I can dance to.
I would like to add though that buying or renting some of the titles on Capn's list may not give one the best representation of the work. MAME, HELLO DOLLY!, GYPSY (1962), GUYS AND DOLLS, SOUTH PACIFIC (both) and THE MUSIC MAN (both), just for example, all have changes incorporated into the movies which do not represent the work as it is best with the original songs and running order and such as can be seen on stage... in some cases they even have replacement musical numbers which are inferior to their stage counterparts...
I know one of the biggest criticisms of Porgy And Bess is that it's a "boring stupid 'white people' play".
My taste is musicals tends to be more modern as well, but there's a difference between personal taste and shows that have been most significant and influential in shaping the Broadway scene. Brooklyn has not changed Broadway. (Thank god.) Cabaret has.
"It's not always about you!!!" (But if you think I'm referring to you anyway, then I probably am.)
"Good luck returning my ass!" - Wilhemina Slater
"This is my breakfast, lunch and f***ing dinner right here. I'm not even f***in' joking." - Colin Farrell
"ok those musicals you just told me to like listen to or what ever, I have and I was in Music Man and to me you guys just like the boring stupid "white people" plays, I need something with a beat to it so I dont fall asleep, all those old musicals are as boring as hell, no offence or any thing, and when I said best musicals ever I meant it like as an opinion, not really speaking, and I have seen a lot of musicals I just like ones that I can dance to."
Wow. sara, as someone who just joined the BWW community, I must warn you:
Watch what comments you decide to make here. Your words noted above ARE offensive. And ridiculous, which is why I choose to ignore it.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle