New York Magazine Panel: Pick the Greatest Musical — Page 3

Wonderful article! A lot of insights about what resonates when and how with an audience member. The opera/musical dividing line discussion also fascinated me. I always think of Porgy and Bess as an opera no matter who's performing and never think of Sweeney Todd as one. But I couldn't articulate why.

The hopeless romantic in me loves She Loves Me and Sunday for very different romantic ideals. But I'd put Guys and Dolls above either of them on my list of "greatest" musicals. It all just fit together so perfectly.

My list would have to include Show Boat for what it tried to do. And because Old Man River was one of my father's all time favorite songs.

For a wider audience, their list was very well-crafted. I disagree with some small aspects, but who am I to quibble.

I quite enjoyed Ephron pushing for My Fair Lady...

To clarify, "enjoyed" does not mean I think My Fair Lady belongs on a list of the greatest musicals, bue her persistance was quite entertaining.

Yes, I'll agree you need a strong Anna and a strong King and King and I, but it's a better show than Fair Lady.

Well, if you ask a guy on the street what R&H's top show is they'd say Sound of Music.

In my experience, if you ask a guy on the street what R&H's top show is, he'll punch you in the nose.

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PJ, I think that you are right that if you ask the average younger guy on the street about Rodgers and Hammerstein, he will be surprised that one would think he has a favorite musical. I'm curious what you and others think about how we got to this point where liking musicals and the theater is somehow considered to be "not a guy thing." I don't think this was as true 40 or 50 years ago (or was it?). I think that this change has been true for many of the arts (going to an art museum or listening to classical music have become much lower on the list of activities a guy will be doing as well), but it seems to be more true for musicals and theater than most other art forms (except opera, which I think is even less of a "guy thing"). I'd be interested in hearing everyone's thoughts.

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Well I guess it's all a matter of opinion...nothing to get up in arms about. I happen to find Carousel a bore, but adored Caroline, Or Change, but that's just my opinion. I thought it was a wonderful read, even if I don't agree with all that they had to say. A bit confused about Ephron's inclusion in the convo, but she was entertaining nonetheless.

Practioners in the field, not critics.

The panel was perfect. The conversation was intelligent and witty.

But "pathetic" and "appalling"? Save your dudgeon. It's way overplayed.

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I agree the panel was pretty close to perfect. Ephron is a writer, Wolfe a director, Tunick an orchestrator, etc. I myself would have argued that "My Fair Lady" is heads and tails above both "Sweeney" and "Guys and Dolls". Every song in it is wonderful, it hails from a great play, the characters are specific and three dimensional, and it has a terrific ending. But that's me.

When SPAMALOT ( on NObody's list!) appeared on B'way i remember someone (i think it was Harvey Fierestein) saying that this was something that musicals USED to do- bring guys to the theatre- something that people had forgotten or disdained now. Why? cos SPAMALOT was stupidly funny the way a lot of shows from the 40's and 50's were PLUS there were all the SHOWGIRLS!!! ( yes they usta attract the hetero crowd) My bro in law ( a racist illiterate homophobe if ever there was one!)LOVED SPAMALOT. He and my sis saw Billy Elliott in London and YEP he hated it( except the Maggie Thatcher drag bit) So a blatant hetero sex appeal and lots of funny bits ( hmm I think I've just described 75% of Guys and Dolls) are neccessasary to get manly mens to the musical theatre. And that's in pretty short supply.
That's just my take.