Favorite Stage Musical

[MrMon]

Okay, time for you all to be real men and admit to a stage musical that is your favorite. I'll start, but I'll post why later, so it'll give others a chance to list their reasons why.

Les Miserables.

[diebitter]

I agree with this choice. I have seen a number of musicals over the years, and this remains my favourite for its very high level of emotional engagement, and music and lyrics that are moving, appropriate, memorable and quite profound.

Miss Saigon is close to this, but isn't quite to this very high standard.

In terms of of comedy value, The Producers is absolutely gut-bustingly funny, and so bad-taste is makes your teeth itch. Delicious.... Also props for the Rocky Horror Show and Little Shop of Horrors.


Okay, I admit it, I do like musicals a lot...in my time, I've seen the following on stage (as well as the above): Cats, Chess, Oklahoma, King and I, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cabaret (a big favourite of mine because of the political aspects), Singin in the Rain, Half a Sixpence, and numerous others.

I'd definitely recommend Les Miserables and The Producers to anyone who wants a great night out though.

[MrMon]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree with this choice. I have seen a number of musicals over the years, and this remains my favourite for its very high level of emotional engagement, and music and lyrics that are moving, appropriate, memorable and quite profound.


[/ QUOTE ]

My reasons for liking Les Miz are almost identical. In fact, I rank it in my Top 5 Artistic Events In Life That Changed How I View The World. An incredibly complex story, inventive staging, a score that requires all the players to have real talent, some good comic relief in a work where nearly everyone is dead by the end, and even the bad guys are likeable while remaining bad.

[Dominic]

Phantom
Sunday in the Park With George

[youtalkfunny]

Put me down for Les Miz.

Guys and Dolls gets an honorable mention.

[andyfox]

On Sunday in the Park: I absolutely loved the 1st act, but felt the 2nd act was weak. Anybody else feel the same way?

[Myrtle]

For me it's close between West Side Story & Man of La Mancha.

[Myrtle]

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For me it's close between West Side Story & Man of La Mancha.

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Upon further review......

Took a break from working in the garden & brought the subject up with wife & daughter. (Wife very talented ex-performer who's specialty is Musicals/show tunes).

She was surprised to hear that I didn't add "Damn Yankee's" and she's right.

After all....."Ya gotta have Heart"!

We agreed upon West Side Story as #1.

The absolute brilliance of Bernstein's score, Sondheim's lyrics, Robbins choreography and Shakespeare's classic story are too much competition for anything else.

[Mrs. Utah]

I know people either love or hate Phantom, but I loved it. Saw it for the first time at the Majestic Theater in New York. I remember my mom listening to the soundtrack over and over so I knew the music and story before ever going into the theater. I don't know if that made a difference but it made the music come alive...to see who was singing and what they were doing (I know it sounds so corny [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img])

[SeaSiren]

Ah - Les Miserables... seen it 3x, Diebitter described it perfectly.

Lion King was thoroughly entertaining. Had a pretty profound effect on me too - was fortunate to have an aisle seat at about row 20. (It's for big kids too!)

Going to see Wicked on Broadway this fall. Anybody seen it?

Cats - a huge disappointment.