Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
ashley0139,
Haha, sorry I did not mean to be snarky or freak-out-ish.
1. Caroline or Change (The show is simply a masterpiece)
2. Passing Strange (One of my alltime favorites scores)
3. [Title of Show] (I love everything about it)
Spamalot and The Producers
Updated On: 7/6/09 at 05:50 PM
Spamalot was based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Spamalot was an original musical.
This is really simple. It's CAROLINE, OR CHANGE. Not only the best original score of the past decade but one of the best musical theater scores ever written.
Well, that I agree with, Jordan. And paired with Tonya's towering performance, CAROLINE was a complete knockout. I miss it and wish I could have seen it more than once.
By some of your standards, Passing Strange and Caroline, or Change are not original because they are based on true stories.
And what ear are you using to find Passing Strange's score remotely similar to Rent? In the Heights is more of a Rent rip-off (thought he author acknowledges his "inspiration").
Movin' Out
Next to Normal
Grey Gardens
Spelling Bee
My choices:
Caroline or Change: absolutely the best musical in two generations
The Light in the Piazza: absolutely the next-best musical in two generations
A Catered Affair: most underrated and most exquisite musical of the decade
Gray Gardens: most unique and surprising musical of the decade
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: most outrageuosly entertaining surprise of the decade
....and the many supporters of "Caroline, or Change" on this thread indicates that this musical was the undiscovered classic of the decade. Sad but true.
Updated On: 7/5/09 at 08:45 PM
Understudy Joined: 12/15/07
When I was thinking of "original" musical, I was thinking more in terms of "new." Anyway, in my opinion...
Grey Gardens
The Light in the Piazza
Next to Normal
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Avenue Q
I have neither seen nor heard Caroline, or Change, but after seeing the replies on this list, I'm going to move the OBCR to the top of my "To get" list!
Avenue Q (although would that be based on Sesame Street?)
In the Heights
[title of show]
I think CAROLINE, OR CHANGE is one of the best musicals ever written, original or not, from this decade or not, etc. I think it should be studied in classrooms like any Arthur Miller or Tennessee Williams' drama. I still think that the fact some not so great musicals have a Pulitzer and this show doesn't is pretty outrageous.
I strongly agree. CAROLINE, OR CHANGE is a highly underrated work of mastery from the minds of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori at the top of her game. It's wonderful to know that producers were willing to lose their investment so that something so well written could be seen by a wider audience. I still remember seeing the show in San Francisco and having chills running down my spine when Tony Pinkins performed "Lots Wife". I miss it....
Why should it matter if the show was based on a book, play, poem, etc.?
A no-brainer for me...... NEXT TO NORMAL.
ROCK OF AGES
Best & Original
YUP!
Hands down (For me), "Caroline or Change".
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
Jersey Girl2,
Did you know that there are OTHER musicals that are NOT 'Rock of Ages', some of which are BETTER.
On_Avenue_Payt, lots on your list aren't original.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is based off a movie.
Grey Gardens is based off a documentary.
The Producers is based off a movie
Spring Awakening is based off a book
Thoroughly Modern Millie is based off a movie
My favorite are:
In The Heights
[title of show]
Drowsy Chaperone
Avenue Q
Next to Normal
Spelling Bee
LMAO at Rock Of Ages as best musical of the decade lol
Next To Normal, In The Heights, Caroline or Change
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
By the way, when did people start saying something was based OFF something else? For all my life, the expresson has been "based ON..."
For instance, the second act of CONTACT is actually based ON a short story called "Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", in which a man who is being executed sees the future he will never have flash before his eyes in the split second of his his being hanged.
>>Did you know that there are OTHER musicals
yes- & I must say in the last 40 or so years I have only seen one or two that I didn't like.
Most shows on Broadway are amazing, live theater is always a wonderful experience.
So- I like ROA- it's my opinion.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/08
JG2,
You rarely ever post about a musical that is NOT Rock of Ages.
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