Favorite Scores since 2000

Aw Broadway only? But some of my favorites are off-broadway.

The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Wicked, The Light in the Piazza, Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening, In the Heights, Next to Normal, Book of Mormon, Matilda, Kinky Boots, Bridges of Madison County, Fun Home, Hamilton

In my opinion, The Scottsboro Boys is the most well-crafted score of the 2000's. The fact that it lost Best Score to The Book of Mormon is stupid. Kander and Ebb should have been recognized for one of their best works.

In order:

10. If/Then

The score was the best part of it. A touch bland, but well put together and melodic.

9. Spamalot

Fun and classic Broadway. I love The Song That Goes Like This

8. Hairspray

See above. You Can't Stop The Beat brightens my day.

7. Wicked

If the whole score were as strong as the mini overture, it would be #2 on my list, but the whole score is pretty fun, with great torch songs and a very touching finale.

6. Next to Normal

Searching, searing, and soaring. It's also not particularly distinguished and the show plays better in the theatre than on disc.

5. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

A fun pastiche of Gilbert and Sullivan. Though it never reaches the brilliance of those it tries to imitate, the result is a collection of delightful music hall songs.

4. The Wild Party

A lot of it is grating on the ears, but the score is rip-roaring and crazy (and crazy fun). People Like Us is beautiful.

3. The Scottsboro Boys

Though nowhere near as consistent as Kander and Ebb's other scores, it has many stand out songs, including the opening and closing. Go Back Home is a great song as well.

2. A Year With Frog and Toad

This may seem a bit odd, but I really love this score. Smooth jazz without an ounce of cynicism, it's great to listen to with a cup of coffee. Give it a try if you haven't heard it yet.

1. The Visit

More of a cohesive score than a collection of songs, it's really quite a feat. Though dense, it's so so good.

Next to Normal, Fun Home, Wicked, Matilda...


Man, this is difficult. Most of my favorite scores are from the 90's.

The Wild Party

Caroline, or Change

The Light In The Piazza

Grey Gardens

next to normal

The Bridges of Madison County

Fun Home

Special Mentions:

Marie Christine (opened in December 1999, but was one of the nominations for score in that Tony Season)

Queen of the Mist (off-Broadway, but deserves a better run in a more commercial theatre. The score is phenomenal - "The Fall" brings me to tears)

I'm not limiting myself to Broadway only, since many of the memorable recent scores come from Off Broadway.

Caroline, or Change

The Light in the Piazza

Queen of the Mist

Passing Strange

Giant

Adding Machine

Grey Gardens

Spring Awakening

Fun Home

James Joyce's The Dead

Just off the top of my head and in no particular order...

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Matilda

The Bridges of Madison County

Billy Elliot

Spring Awakening

Fun Home

Updated On: 5/28/15 at 11:17 AM

There are very few scores I love enough to listen all the way through (i mostly make playlists of favorite songs)

The best and most listenable scores (song for song) since 2000 for me are in order:

1) Aida The Musical

2) The Book of Mormon

3) Kinky Boots

4) Wicked

5) Jersey Boys

6) Title of Show

7) Newsies

Next to Normal, Avenue Q, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Hairspray all get honorable mention because i love a lot of songs from those shows but dont listen to the entire score of any of them..

Also liking Fun Home songs a lot and it was a spectacular show to see live.... sure hope they do a pro shot version....

Sweet Smell of Success

Bridges of Madison County

The Last Ship

Catch Me If You Can

Honorable Mentiuon: If/Then

That's all folks.

In no order:

1. Fun Home

2. Spelling Bee

3. Aida

4. Drowsy Chaperone

5. Catch Me If You Can

6. Hairspray

7. Matilda

8. Caroline of Change

9. Light in the Piazza

10. Billy Elliot