Best Original Musicals of the Decade

#1

Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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?

#2

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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...

#3

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

Next to Normal

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I'm a professional. Whenever something goes wrong on stage, I know how to handle it so no one ever remembers. I flash my %#$&. "Jayne just sat there while Gina flailed around the stage like an idiot."

#4

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

Ditto next to normal.

#5

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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.

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#6

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

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

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#7

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

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Whoever says money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to shop. - Bo Derek

#8

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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?

#9

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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.

#10

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

#11

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

In The Heights
Next To Normal

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"It's about the Benjamins, not the Bernsteins."-CapnHook

#12

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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.

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#13

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

Caroline, Or Change
Next to Normal
Urinetown

#14

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

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

#15

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

The Producers

#16

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

Isn't Spelling Bee based on a play?

#17

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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.

#18

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

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

#19

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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.

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www.kickfornick.com

#20

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

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

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<-----Bernadette Peters and Alexander Hanson in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

Send in the clowns...Send in the crowds!

"I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface."-Stephen Sondheim

#21

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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).

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#22

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

Avenue Q

#23

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

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

#24

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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.

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Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#25

re: Best Original Musicals of the Decade

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

My favourite one hasn't yet been mentioned:

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE