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their dialogue, but can't seem to wrap our minds around loving old books of musicals (they are always criticized as "outdated", blah blah blah)

[dramarama2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 6:52am

Sunday In The Park with George & Grey Gardens.

[nyc44]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 7:13am

I love love love Company's book infinitely more than the music.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 7:58am

Guys and Dolls
Gypsy

[PUPPETMAN]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 3:53pm

Fantasticks
Carnival
Les Miz
Mame

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 4:01pm

GYPSY (probably my favorite)
FOLLIES
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
A CHORUS LINE
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE
PASSION
THE KING & I
CURTAINS
GREY GARDENS

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 5:24pm

Assassins.

Hands down.

Such a strong book, with clear, distinct, and hilarious characters.
The Sara Jane Moore-Squeaky Fromme scene is one of the funniest things to ever grace the stage in a Sondheim musical.

Plus, it really makes you think. It does a great job of presenting alternate viewpoints.

Other good books are three winners of the Tony for Best Book, they're all very good: Spelling Bee, Drowsy Chaperone, Producers

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 5:53pm

Into the Woods. Act II can make or break the show.

[sondhead]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:00pm

Into the Woods? Really? I've always seen a huge problem in the fact that the show seems to be (or at least in part) about the consequences of your actions, and yet the "happy" ending happens when they decide to kill the giantess. So she comes down because they killed her husband and the answer is to kill her in turn? Bad plotting, I say.

Gypsy. It's perfect. So is Little Shop of Horrors.

[Boq101]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 8:06pm

A Little Night Music

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 9:22pm

COMPANY
THE FANTASTICKS
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
ASSASSINS
OF THEE I SING
DAMN YANKEES
CURTAINS
A CHORUS LINE
SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE
FALSETTOS

But no one even brought up 1776! One of the best books of ANY musical, bar none!

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 4:42pm

bump

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 4:45pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 04:45 PM

[snl89]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 4:55pm

I love love love Company's book infinitely more than the music.


Same :)


and I love the book for Bare as well. I think it's incredibly well written, with very well developed characters.

[sparkleplenty]

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

A Little Night Music
Ragtime
Gypsy

[TomMonster]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 4:03pm

GYPSY. No question. Perfection.

[musicalfan07]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 4:05pm

Gypsy and Sunday in the Park with George.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 4:56pm

1776, How To Succeed..., Guys and Dolls, and almost all R&H musicals.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 5:43pm

Sondhead-
Really? It's about continuing the cycle in fairy tales.

Although it's flawed, I really like Anyone Can Whistle's book. 1776 is another very strong one.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 5:45pm

ReNt
WicKid

Oh, sorry, you said favorite, nevermind.

[BkCollector]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 5:46pm

Another vote for 1776. Most Peter Stone books are pretty strong in my opinion

[Tom148502]

Posted: 3/3/08 at 5:54pm

1776
Gypsy
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
My Fair Lady
The Music Man
Fiorello
A Chorus Line
South Pacific
City of Angels
Grand Hotel