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At the 2003 Tony Award Broadcast, Hugh Jackman announced "Death of a Salesman" to be the greatest play of all time. I was hoping this year they'd do the same for Best Musical. Out of the list (Tony Award winners for Best Musical of that year) which would you pick to be the greatest of all time?
Ps- It doesnt have to be one you've seen live on Broadway. It's about the material (Book/Score). It could be from what you've heard/read about, if you've heard the score or read the book....if you've seen a High School perform the show...what is the best?
West Side Story, Gypsy, Follies and Dreamgirls are probably the four best musicals to not win Best Musical, and one could make arguments that Sunday in the Park With George, Once on this Island and Urinetown were all superior to the shows that beat them.
You're gonna have to add CAROLINE to that list, guys.
"Noah, someday we'll talk again. But there's things we'll never say. That sorrow deep inside you. It inside me, too. And it never go away. You be okay. You'll learn how to lose things..."
OK...Here's why I wouldn't choose Sweeney Todd as the best. Nor would I put Caroline in the same mix as Follies, Gypsy, WSS or Dreamgirls.
There is a strong element missing from both Sweeney and Caroline and that is choreography. The other four (in their original incarnations, at least) all contain a strong dance component, which I feel is necessary to choose which is the best musical. Sweeney Todd, while brilliant, is missing that one key ingredient that would allow me to call it the 'best'.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
Just my own opinion, but I always felt that Sweeney Todd takes a bit of a misstep in the final sequence and epilogue. While still exciting, the musical material in the final sequence seems to dry up, as the plot needs to be resolved. A musical that is mostly sung suddenly gets book heavy. Then, the finger pointing in the final "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" seems accusatory toward the audience for no clear reason. Oh sure, you can argue that we're all responsible for Sweeney's plight, but I'm not sure I'd agree with it.
Obviously you don't know what the word 'bigot' means.
Without choreography, shows like West Side Story, Carousel, Oklahoma, Gypsy, Dreamgirls, Follies, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line et al would not have made the impact they've made.
Calling something 'showy' when it can actually be integral to the plot of a show and reveal character is flippant.
I'm in no way a bigot.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
From that list I would have to say Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, Cabaret and Hairspray are my top 5...I am big stickler for good structure and these musicals are the epitome of amazing sto structure and balance out plot and character perfectly.