Best Original Musicals of the Decade

[follies85]

Posted: 7/4/09 at 11:51pm

In your opinion, what are the best original musicals (Broadway, off-Broadway, or off-off-Broadway) of this decade so far, beginning with musicals which opened on or after Jan. 1, 2000?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/4/09 at 11:56pm

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE is my number one original musical of this decade.

I also loved THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (though that is based on the movie)

...I have a feeling many people will answer [TOS] on this thread...

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 7/4/09 at 11:57pm

Next to Normal

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:02am

Ditto next to normal.

[On_Avenue_Payt]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:02am

My Top 10 [in alphabetical order]

Avenue Q
Curtains
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Full Monty, The
Grey Gardens
Next to Normal
Producers, The
Spring Awakening
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Urinetown: The Musical

with Honorable Mentions to Jersey Boys & The Light in the Piazza.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:04am

I think Caroline or Change is above any original musical of this decade.

[onedaymore]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:09am

Gonna have to say what everyone else said, Caroline or Change, Light in the Piazza, Next to Normal.

But there's another one that I particularly like the score of: The Pirate Queen.

(shut up!!!!) lol

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:10am

Original musicals as in new pieces or as in shows not based on any previous works like books or movies?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:23am

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
IN THE HEIGHTS
AVENUE Q

Complete originals as they are not based on any existing source material: book, film, etc.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:31am

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
URINETOWN
NEXT TO NORMAL
THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE


are at the top of my list in that order...N2N and SPELLING BEE are neck and neck for that last slot in my mind. They're just so different.
Updated On: 7/5/09 at 12:31 AM

[alightinthedark23]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 12:52am

In The Heights
Next To Normal

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:20am

In My Life
Caroline or Change

One could argue that Avenue Q is inspired by Sesame Street, making it not totally original.

[Liverpool]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:22am

Caroline, Or Change
Next to Normal
Urinetown

[musialman]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:26am

1. [Title of Show] 2. Next to Normal 3. Spelling Bee

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:28am

The Producers

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:39am

Isn't Spelling Bee based on a play?

[jarred03]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:43am

I don't really consider the producers and drs and some others I love original musicals because they come from movies so we already know the story.

I say IN THE HEIGHTS and Spring Awakening and Avenue Q

never got to see Caroline or Change and I still need to Next to Normal.

[jarred03]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:44am

I just thought of CONTACT, I loved that ****.

[thetheatrekook]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:45am

I was thinking the same thing about Spelling Bee. And The Producers? Come on. Based on a movie.

My vote is for Caroline or Change, for sure.

Spring Awakening isn't original either, sorry. Based on a play.

[[tos]fan999]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:45am

My top three:
1. Grey Gardens
2. Next to Normal
3. Avenue Q

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:47am

I think it's safer to refer to musicals with new scores written specifically for the stage as original or new musicals (or, not a revival).

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 1:58am

Avenue Q

[jarred03]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 2:04am

Oh snap! I forgot Spring Awakening was a play first. Sorry for being a hypocrit.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 2:07am

What does it matter if we know the story? The music is original, the lyrics are original, the book, the staging, etc.

It may come from a well known source, but as a musical theater piece, it's original if it hasn't been produced before.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 7/5/09 at 4:27am

My favourite one hasn't yet been mentioned:

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE