Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
#1Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:21pm
I'll start:
Caroline or Change
Ragtime
Falsettos
AnnaK<3LMIP
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/20/07
#2re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:23pmThe first thing that entered my head was RAGTIME. Absolutely. But, can they give a Pulitzer to a musical that is already based on a piece of literature?
#3re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:25pm
South Pacific was based on a piece of literature.
~Steven
#4re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:25pm
They did with South Pacific. And, unless I'm misinformed, its source material Tales of the South Pacific, also won a Pulitzer.
Edit: Got beat!
#5re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:27pm
bobby-you know this thread is going to turn into "my fav musical is......." any moment now.
Just sayin.
folks- just because you liked "the Wedding singer", doesn't make it pulitzer-worthy.
#6re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:29pm
HOW TO SUCCEED was also based on a book, of sorts...
SWEENEY TODD should have garnered one.
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#7re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:37pm
Carousel
Gypsy
Follies
Sweeney Todd
Ragtime
Grey Gardens
Maybe that's a little much for the musical genre, but absolutely Carousel, Gypsy and Grey Gardens.
Heybeenfood
Broadway Star Joined: 5/15/06
#9re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:41pmKeep in mind that the main goal of this award is to choose a show that best represents AMERICAN life. A show like Sweeney wouldn't qualify, though Sunday in the Park half takes place in France and I Am My Own Wife, though written by an American, is about a German, so the rules are a little loose based on the quality of the material.
#10re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 8:45pmYeah, I think because Hugh Wheeler was a Brit, Sweeney wouldn't be considered. That's unfortunate. It IS an AMERICAN musical though.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#12re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 9:03pmI'd vote for Urinetown. Reviews of Urinetown tended to focus on the show's satire of Broadway musicals, but I always thought the show's apocalyptic version of a world where we've used up our natural resources got overlooked. It was gleefully nihilistic, a truly difficult achievement.
#13re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 9:06pmI can certainly see what you mean Smaxie, but I don't think I feel the same way.
#14re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 9:12pmUrinetown owes itself to Marc Blitzstein.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#15re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 9:15pmAnd that's a real recipe for success.
#18re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 10:03pm
The Cradle Will Rock
Parade
-My fault, I fear.
#19re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 10:04pm
Ragtime
Grey Gardens
The Light In The Piazza
Caroline, Or Change
#20re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 10:06pmI agree with Grey Gardens. It has a very interesting take on wealth, society, and what makes a person happy. Very American themes.
#21re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 10:12pmRagtime was the first thing that popped into my mind.
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda
NYC_or_Bust
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/8/05
#22re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:26pm
Ragtime, obviously
But I really do have to cast a vote for My Fair Lady. As well as The Color Purple, GYPSY, and Sweeney Todd.
In my own personal opinion, I've never seen (or been in) a show with a more powerful message than Carousel.
#23re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:33pm
The only ones I would agree with mentioned in this thread would be Caroline, or Change, The Cradle Will Rock, and Ragtime.
The Cradle Will Rock is an obvious choice, and fully deserving.
Edit: Actually, Follies as well. That musical had so many underlying themes about the state America. And it was pure genius.
#24re: Musicals That Deserved the Pulitzer
Posted: 2/10/08 at 11:59pmId say Caroline or Change and Ragtime are the two most worthy of the pulitzer.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
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