Lloyd Webber's Best Work? — Page 2

Although I will acknowledge that PHANTOM is probably his most theatrical work, my two favorite Lloyd-Webber musicals are ASPECTS OF LOVE and SUNSET BOULEVARD. There have been some negative comments on the book and lyrics for these two musicals. If you check the original source materials for them, Billy Wilder's film noir classic of SUNSET BOULEVARD and the ASPECTS OF LOVE novella by Bloomsbury Group member David Garnett, the two musicals are actually very faithful adaptations of the original material. What Lloyd-Webber has added to enrich them is his great gift for melody!



His JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ( Bible-inspired) and EVITA ( biopic) are also very noteworthy additions to his rich musical portfolio.



The running theme of his more favored works seem to be that they were mainly adaptations ( including PHANTOM which is based on Gaston Leroux's novel).

Updated On: 11/10/16 at 07:21 PM

JCS! And, I will admit, I will go see Joseph ten times before I'll go see POTO.

First off, let me say, I am so happy right now to be answering this question on the Broadwayworld.com message board. I really enjoy you guys.

Ok, the best, I think, is Jesus Christ Superstar. That, in my opinion is his only classic. So many memorable songs, very well put together, excellent concept.

The other contender is Evita, but that doesn't quite make it. The idea of Evita plays very well on the recordings. The songs are fabulous. I wore out my Mandy-Patti version, and listened to it so much that I think 25 years later I can still recite sing the whole album from memory.

However, each time I see it on stage, I'm not impressed. It seems like everything is TOLD to you, not much is shown. I don't think it works on stage. That said, if LuPone is in it, who cares? The videos of her in the original B'way production singing Rainbow High are nothing less than supernatural. She's possessed, and her voice is a thing of wonder.

I also like Joseph. I think after after that they all decreased in quality, with maybe a little bump up with Phantom.

Updated On: 11/10/16 at 10:16 PM

Andrew Little-Talent Webber has no best work. He's overrated!

The ones he didn't write.

I find EVITA tolerable, but the only ALW show that actually works for me is JOSEPH (essentially a one-act, minus the disco medley at the end).

Well, I think I explained that it's all about the music for me. That's enough to make me want to listen to it on a regular basis (and see it on the very rare occasions when it's performed).

There are parts of the story I like: the Rose/Giulietta friendship, and a lot of the material near the end, from George's funeral up to Rose's "don't leave me!" But I do acknowledge that, overall, it's dramatically quite weak.

I guess we differ on whether a beautiful score alone can make a show worthwhile.

GroupAGroup1 said: "To those naming ASPECTS OF LOVE as a favorite: please explain, I'd genuinely like to know why. Because I don't understand how *anyone* could say that: yes, the score is lovely, but the story is completely ridiculous (everyone jumps into bed with everyone on a dime!) and pretty much all the characters are horrible human beings. It's a show that's hilariously awful - but awful it is.

"
I saw the musical both at the West End and on Broadway and I liked it a lot! I also think that this is one of his best musical scores -- it is achingly romantic, lyrical, and beautiful! It is also very well-sung!

I have read the original novella by Bloomsbury Group member David Garnett ( and the companion book to the staging of the musical) so I knew what to expect. ALWebber does like to use controversial themes in his work.

Also, I do like the setting of southern France, a place I have often visited. So, my preference is quite personal, too.

Updated On: 11/11/16 at 11:04 PM

POTO, but I don't know how much percent of my love for that show is due to Maria Bjornson's unmatched classic design elements.

I'd say either Jesus Christ Superstar or Evita. I agree with the other posters in that a lot of my love for Phantom is because of Maria Bjornson's designs.

As a whole piece for me it's Phantom hands down. I was obsessed with the show as a kid, then went through a period where I didn't care for it, then kinda came back to it as an adult, and realized no, this some beautiful work. There are actually some fantastic things in all of scores that I really enjoy. But just as whole well worked, beautiful melodic, score it has to be Phantom.