New York Magazine Panel: Pick the Greatest Musical- Page 2

[jv92]

Posted: 1/11/11 at 5:13pm

I like City of Angels, but I wouldn't put it in the same category as Gypsy or Carousel. And it's funny, I think I'm one of the only people who really loves Act 2 of Sunday... .

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/11/11 at 6:32pm

"Yeah, I think it's only American musicals. But I doubt this group would consider Les Miz one of the greatest musicals of all time."



Very true. In fact, a friend of mine who has worked closely under Tunick told me he said that Les Mis is what, in his opinion, has single handedly ruined musical theatre.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 1/11/11 at 6:39pm

For me, at least, Sunday's opening is plenty exciting.

[kchenofan]

Posted: 1/11/11 at 9:43pm

Thanks for posting this. It was really fun to read and definately enlightening. I was impressed and pleasantly surprised by Ephron.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/11/11 at 10:05pm

It's a great article. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall. Ok, who am I kidding, I would have plopped right down at their table and joined in the argument.

I can't believe the King and I made the final shortlist. I loathe that show. It sends such a terrible message, and I don't think there's any aspect of the show those themes that redeems it for me like there are for other outdated musicals.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/11/11 at 11:46pm

Not even "The Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet?

[jv92]

Posted: 1/11/11 at 11:47pm

Oh, I think King and I has wonderful characters, especially Anna, and a great book. The score leaves a bit to be desired sometimes. I wouldn't be as harsh as you, orangeskitlles.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 8:19am

I'm with orange on this one. THE KING AND I bores me to tears, in both the movie and show incarnations. Aside from one or two songs, I find the score laborious and the book saccharine at best, offensive at worst. In my 30 years, that 1998 revival national tour is the only time I've ever dozed off at the theater... barring when my family dragged me to "The Nutcracker" at age 7.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 8:32am

@mysteriousg If Nora Ephon were reading this, she'd say. "Thank you for proving my point about She Loves Me."

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 8:45am

And I would say to Nora Ephron in response, "I'll never forgive you for 'Bewitched.' Or 'Michael.' Or 'Hanging Up.' Or 'Mixed Nuts.' Or 'Lucky Numbers.' Or most of "Julie & Julia.'"

And then I'd punch her in the tit and we'd agree to disagree.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 10:13am

Boy, was that was ever not clever.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 10:18am

Oh, God. Oh, God, you're right. There's nothing more important than cleverness. I'm going to kill myself.

Posted: 1/12/11 at 10:49am

The King and I is a wonderful musical- truly one of the greats- especially if you cut "Western People Funny." And it's also a great stage-to-screen transfer.

[sally1112]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 11:02am

Great article and discussions here.

Now for my confession- Before this article I have never heard of,
"She Loves Me."

Hangs head in shame, and leaves..

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 11:07am

I really like The King & I, but I would not have put it on the short list. Even for Rogers and Hammerstein, the score gets a little too precious at times. I realize I may be in the minority, but I was actually a bit surprised there was no mention of Rent at all. Or the genius of Falsettos.

[landryjames2]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 11:36am

I liked the article very much, and agreed/understood most to all points (besides Rich's comment that Cabaret was the only movie musical that bettered the stage version. As has been mentioned in this thread--The Sound of Music is 7,000 times better. I also think West Side Story made improvements; and on some levels--even Chicago).

Anyway, it was an interesting read. In regards to Nora Ephron, I like her "in theory", but most of her film work is SO mediocre/bad (to me anyway). I was confused as to why she was on the panel, but I get it now.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 12:20pm

Oh, Sally, you're in for a treat! It's a perfect confection, and the performances on the original cast album are delicious.

I actually envy you that you're going to get to hear Barbara Cook sing "Vanilla Ice Cream" and "Dear Friend" and "Will He Like Me?" for the first time.

[sally1112]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 1:39pm

I'm going to buy it this weekend!

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 1:48pm

And "I Don't Know His Name" which is my personal favorite. Enjoy!

[jv92]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 1:55pm

Mine too! She Loves Me is a masterpiece!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 2:07pm

Just seeing the words "I don't know his name" on the screen made me hear her voice going up the scale as she sings the next five words: "...or...what...he...looks...like."

Beautiful!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 2:12pm

sally, you are DEFINITELY in for a real treat. She Loves Me is beyond lovely.

I thought it was funny that it was Nora Ephron who discussed She Loves Me at length, since I found that to be a better (and more forward thinking) adaptation of Parfumerie than You've Got Mail.

Updated On: 1/12/11 at 02:12 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 2:25pm

And no mention of "A Trip to the Library"? For shame!

"...Optometrist!"

Pure genius.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 3:24pm

What a wonderful, insightful read!

I'm on the MY FAIR LADY boat as well.

[dreaming]

Posted: 1/12/11 at 4:18pm

For me, My Fair Lady borders on being a little too long.

I do love "The King and I" and I think there are beneficial messages throughout the story. The King and Mrs. Anna learn to accept each other despite their differences. I also think that one of the most beautiful scenes occurs in the film version (which is the only one I've been fortunate enough to see)-"Shall We Dance?" in my opinion is one of the most sensuous scenes in a musical. You can feel the heat between the characters and you realize what they feel for one another and how different it would have been between them in another time and place. Just my two cents.

I probably would vote for Showboat for historical reasons-without that you don't get a lot of other shows, including Oklahoma and Carousel. Showboat is very important as a piece-it has a very dark side to it and deals with heavy social issues. It is also a book musical as opposed to a revue which had been the norm.