Great Obscure Musicals That Nobody Seems To Know

What are some wonderful little musicals out there that no one seems to really pay attention to?

I've noticed that PS Classics has some of the best recordings of some of these kinds of shows. I've recently listened to their recordings of A Minister's Wife, The Adding Machine, and My Life With Albertine. All three were beautiful recordings.

What are some of your favorite little unknown shows that have almost faded away?

I happened very recently upon The Zulu and the Zayda, having heard absolutely nothing about it before. The score is truly wonderful and the story is an absolute treasure.

A Minister's Wife and Adding Machine are two favourites of mine. Joshua Schmidt is a genius composer that more people should know.

One of my favourite musicals is Spoon River, which left me a weeping mess when I first saw it in Toronto. I've since seen it four times.

If you're not from New York, chances are you may not have heard of Dave Malloy's Ghost Quartet. Viscerally affecting, and that SCORE.

Calvin Berger is a hilarious, heartfelt piece of musical theatre for young audiences. Barry Wyner wrote a melodic pop score with clever lyrics.

Come From Away is a musical about a small town in Newfoundland during the 9/11 attacks. I saw it in early workshops here in Toronto a few years ago and it is moving through a very successful path. It's currently running at Seattle Rep.

Jeremy Schonfeld's Drift is a song cycle about divorce and what it takes to move on. As a child of divorce, much of this show resonates. And the rock score is strong.

The Theory of Relativity is another great song cycle by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill (same composing team behind Story of my Life). There are some pleasing melodies and emotional storylines.

Inner City

Johnny Guitar

The Grass Harp

Updated On: 12/9/15 at 08:45 AM

Agree about Human Comedy. Great score, and it was a wonderful production at the Public many years ago.

Unfortunately, the 1987 Off-Broadway production of Staggerlee, written by Vernel Bagneris with a score by Allen Toussiant, wasn't recorded. But I remember loving that show.

And the PS Classics recording of Kitty's Kisses is delightful. Once you hear it, you will have "Choo-Choo Love" in your head for days.

The producers may have not waited long enough before closing. It might have caught on if they had let word of mouth build

I remember Henry. Saw it at the Palace theater. Nice score but not to much choreography.

I don't think the story lent itself to a lot of dancing. For that matter, Promises Promises did not have much either There was one big number Turkey Lurkey Time and I cannot remember much beyond that. I am basing this on the original production with Jerry Ohrbach.

Never saw the movie. I do not know if Lincoln Center recorded that far back.

• "Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope"
• "Your Own Thing" (actually ran Off-Broadway at The Orpheum)
• "Carmelina" [based on the 1968 romantic comedy, "Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell"]

Updated On: 12/10/15 at 12:37 PM

Wow Mr. Roxy, do you remember anything specifically in regards to "Carmelina"?

Mr Roxy said: "I enjoyed it a lot. Nice score, good ensemble and Georgia Brown in the Gina Lollabrigida role. Got unwarranted IMO bad press. Encores would be nice

A few others are quick foldo Music Is and Tricks.

Hmmm, yes I would love to see Encores do a show like "Carmelina". I was under the impression that the whole purpose of Encores, at least originally was to shine a light on the more obscure musicals like "Carmelina" that weren't being revived.

When they started doing shows like "The Wiz", "Little Shop of Horrors" and now..."1776" the series really loses it's original intention.

Updated On: 12/10/15 at 01:58 PM