Gypsy: Greatest American Musical??

[AStack752]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:36pm

I've heard Gypsy referred to as "the greatest American musical" numerous times. I'm not saying that it is or it isn't, but I'm just curious why so many people in the theatre biz feel this?

Just curious.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:38pm

I don't know that I'd be able to come up with THE greatest american musical, but for me, GYPSY would certainly be on the list alongside:

SHOWBOAT
OKLAHOMA!
WEST SIDE STORY
THE MUSIC MAN
THE SOUND OF MUSIC

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:39pm

Great Book
Amazing Score
Great Dances
Several Great Roles For Actors
Mama Rose
Rose's Turn

Those are the barebones reasons. There are plenty of people who can go more in-depth.

For, it's definitely one of the candidates. I haven't decided what musical I think is the greatest, but Gypsy's way up there.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:40pm

No love for the musicals after 1960, Munk?

Updated On: 3/21/08 at 01:40 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 1:45pm

HAIR might be added to that list.

What else did you have in mind?

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:13pm

Munk is right that it is ONE of them, but my list of greatest (most perfect?, not just historically important) would also include:

GUYS AND DOLLS
MY FAIR LADY
SWEENEY TODD

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:22pm

I think it's certainly one of the best.

[Brick]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:30pm

Top 5 or 3, no question.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:36pm

It certainly belongs in the conversation. I would add A Chorus Line to those already mentioned.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:41pm

Well, by greatest american musical, do you mean just the BEST musical written by americans?

Or do you mean the greatest american musical written by Americans that encompasses and explores a variety of American issues, cultures, eras, etc?

But if we're just talking about greatest musicals written by americans, the list would be quite long.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:43pm

Well,

CABARET
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
COMPANY
A CHORUS LINE
SWEENEY TODD
RENT
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE

might be a few candidates.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:45pm

I would say excellence in the form of what is commonly known as the American Musical.

Updated On: 3/21/08 at 02:45 PM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:50pm

Of the golden age:

Guys and Dolls
Gypsy
Oklahoma
South Pacific

Of the modern age:
Hairspray
The Producers
Sunday in the Park with George
Sweeney Todd Updated On: 3/21/08 at 02:50 PM

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 2:55pm

GYPSY
GUYS AND DOLLS
MY FAIR LADY
COMPANY
OKLAHOMA!
FOLLIES

I think those are the top American Musicals of all time.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:04pm

I think it's obvious that anyone who doesn't say Xanadu is the greatest musical of all time is a bitter queen who doesn't even live in New York.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:15pm

You took the words right out of my mouth.

[tazber]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:28pm

What about Legally Blonde? I know some people who have seen it like 8 times! So that means it's a classic, right?

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:33pm

CAROUSEL
SWEENEY TODD
MY FAIR LADY
GYPSY
KISS ME, KATE
COMPANY (for me, anyway)

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:36pm

CRY-BABY?

[Brick]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:41pm

GYPSY
OKLAHOMA
SWEENEY TODD
A CHORUS LINE
SHOW BOAT

[Brick]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:41pm

double post Updated On: 3/21/08 at 03:41 PM

[Elphaba]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 3:45pm

scuse me, BARF.......no...am not a fan of Gypsy

[JRybka]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 4:18pm

well anyone who uses BARF to discribe Gypsy is so intellegent...
NOT

My list includes:

Gypsy
A Chorus Line
Ragtime
Sunday in the Park with George

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 5:03pm

I'd say Gypsy is arguably the Greatest American Musical.

Updated On: 3/21/08 at 05:03 PM

[zooxanthellae]

Posted: 3/21/08 at 5:36pm

Yes I agree with everyone, it is one of the best American Musicals of all time.... it could be arguably the best, but who am I to say so?