Favorite BOOK from a musical

[buddharich]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:51am

I've noticed in many review type posts on these boards criticisms are particularly harsh on the "book" from current musicals. I'm curious about what others think are the best "books" (librettos) of musical shows (broadway, off-broadway or beyond)? And what constitutes a great book? Who historically do you consider the best "book" writer? I've been writing a book for a musical, which has been both a total pleasure and incredibly difficult!! (:

My own favorite book is James Goldman's "Follies" - I've read many criticisms of this particular book but I feel that it does it's job perfectly, letting us know who the characters are and serving as connective tissue to the brilliant songs. "Urinetown" has an exceptional book. "Jersey Boys" served it's story very well.

I'm one who enjoys the old books, too, and don't believe they need to be "updated" or made "politically correct". I esp. love the book of "DuBarry Was a Lady" - I've never understood how it is that we can love old movies, and not demand they change their dialogue, but can't seem to wrap our minds around loving old books of musicals (they are always criticized as "outdated", blah blah blah)

[sanda]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:58am

1776

[chris d]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 9:20am

Company

[philcrosby]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 9:23am

Great books of musicals: any truly great musical has a great book. There are lots of flop musicals with great scores (think THE GRASS HARP), but the great ones have great books.

Some of my favorites:
GYPSY
GUYS AND DOLLS
MY FAIR LADY
1776
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

[PUPPETMAN]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:58am

Fantasticks
Carnival
Les Miz
Mame
Happy Time

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:07am

Gypsy
Grey Gardens

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:45am

(This is in no particular order)

1776
Dreamgirls
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
The Full Monty
Parade
Gypsy
Company

Updated On: 2/26/08 at 11:45 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 12:26pm

City of Angels, Urinetown, Falsettos, A Little Night Music and 1776 immediately come to mind. I've always felt the book to Follies is probably the worst aspect of the show and most likely the reason it has never been successful.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 12:44pm

Company
Guys and Dolls

[PUPPETMAN]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:02pm

Fantastiks
Carnival
Man of La Mancha
Les Miz
Mame

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:05pm

A Little Night Music. I think it's an excellent book.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:06pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 04:06 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:10pm

From the other thread:

GYPSY (probably my favorite)
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (it has always reminded me of some of the best Shakespearean comedies)
FOLLIES (troubled, but when it's good, God it's terrific!)
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (both acts)
A CHORUS LINE
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
PASSION
THE KING & I
CURTAINS
GREY GARDENS

[bwaygal1]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:30pm

Grey Gardens
A Little Night Music
Sunday in the Park With George
Gypsy
The Secret Garden
1776

[me2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:49pm

When I think of in terms of contemporary books, some of them really struggle to live on stage. THE WEDDING SINGER and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, for example, were both shows I enjoyed, but they never seemed to lift from the stage like a great Broadway musical does.

Great Books:

1776
Guys and Dolls
Oklahoma!
The King and I
Fanny
A Little Night Music
The Music Man
Kiss Me, Kate
The Pajama Game
Hello, Dolly!
Mame
Urinetown
Titanic
Sweeney Todd
Dreamgirls
Bells are Ringing
Parade
Broadway Blog: Broadway Star Bingo V

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 6:36pm

Beauty and the Beast
Company
Grey Gardens
Gypsy
Passion
Sweeney Todd

[jv92]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 10:00pm

In order-

1. Gypsy
2. Grey Gardens
3. Follies
4. The Light in the Piazza
5. Sunday in the Park with George

I'm sad to see that there's no Hammerstein on that list as in my opinion he is Broadway's best and most innovative book writer. Unfortunately, what Oscar's books had had in structure and concept he lacked in dialouge and I don't think anyone can argue that the dialouge in Gypsy, GG, Follies, Piazza and Sunday is sharp and precise, ESPECIALLY in Gypsy.

[goldenstate5]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 11:17pm

Great books:
Urinetown
Company
Avenue Q
Assassins
1776
Grey Gardens

All I own except for 1776. Is it available to buy?...

Updated On: 2/26/08 at 11:17 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 7:51pm

1776 is available to buy, goldenstate. At least, I think it is. I've seen it in various bookstores in the tri-state area, at least.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 8:59pm

Most recently, Xanadu.

[sparkleplenty]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 2:52pm

These come to mind first for me: A Little Night Music
Gypsy
Ragtime
Carnival

[broadwayrules]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 5:18pm

Urinetown
Spelling Bee
Sunday in the Park With George
Others I can't remeber...
Updated On: 8/11/08 at 05:18 PM

[glimpseofstocking]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 6:02pm

Gypsy
Follies
Grey Gardens
Company

[The White Half-Mask]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 6:08pm

George Furth's book for "Company".

[yellibean2]

Posted: 3/4/08 at 7:01pm

Company and Assassins are definitely my favorites.

But I also love Xanadu and Spelling Bee.