Show of the Decade

I'm going to form a list of what I feel are either the most important, most influential, or most remarkable musicals from each decade - obviously not every musical from every year, but the ones that stand out to me. Then I want each of you (that are interested) to choose only one show from each decade, and just list the shows, one from each decade. At the end, from the list of 7 shows you have picked (40's-00's,) pick one. I want that one show not to represent your favorite show or how much you love Idina Menzel, but to be one solid choice that you think has greatly influenced musical theatre and made a huge impact. In a week, I will tally the answers and post the most common or popular answers. I don't want you to base your answers on just what show you enjoy the most, but what show has the best writing and most influenced the future of musical theatre. Think of it as just the show - not any specific production or cast members, just the raw writing. I think it's interesting to see what people think. If you think it's stupid, don't do it, but please take the time to do it - I'm quite curious. Thanks. I'll go first, in case my explanation was hard to follow:

*1940's*

Finian’s Rainbow
Kiss Me, Kate
Brigadoon
Oklahoma
Carousel

*1950's*

South Pacific
Guys and Dolls
The King and I
My Fair Lady
The Music Man
West Side Story

*1960's*

The Sound of Music
Gypsy
Bye Bye, Birdie
Oliver
Hello, Dolly
Funny Girl
Fiddler on the Roof
Man of La Mancha
Cabaret
Hair

*1970's*

Company
Follies
A Little Night Music
A Chorus Line
Chicago
Pacific Overtures
Annie
Sweeney Todd
Jesus Christ Superstar
Pippin
The Wiz
On the Twentieth Century

*1980's*

Evita
42nd Street
Nine
Dreamgirls
Cats
Sunday in the Park with George
La Cage aux Folles
Big River
Les Miserables
The Phantom of the Opera
Into the Woods

*1990's*

City of Angels
Miss Saigon
Tommy
Passion
Parade
Ragtime
The Lion King
Smokey Joe’s Café
Rent
Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk
Titanic

*2000's*

Contact
The Producers
The Full Monty
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Mamma Mia!
Urinetown
Hairspray
Movin’ Out
Avenue Q
Wicked
________________________________________________________________

My choices:

1940's: OKLAHOMA
1950's: THE MUSIC MAN
1960's: HAIR
1970's: SWEENEY TODD
1980's: LES MISERABLES
1990's: RENT
2000's: HAIRSPRAY

One show: OKLAHOMA

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Updated On: 2/8/05 at 10:30 PM

What are you saying, that's not what I'm asking...

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Well, I guess your list is pretty good...

I'd have to say for my own show Les Mis - it got me into theatre and a lot of my friends found their way into theatre beacuse of Les Mis.

I know a lot of people think it ruined theatre, but it also caused a lot fo people to be interested in theatre.

As far as theatre goes, I'd say three important shows, or meaningfull shows, are Oklahoma, The Wiz, and Rent.

Oklahaoma was pretty much America's BIG successful attempt at joining in the world of theatre - and of course, one of the first musicals.

The Wiz because it "opened" the theatre up to minortities, challenging the idea of the "Great White Way."

Rent, same thing, but people with AIDS. It finally said it right out, "We have AIDS, We're Gay, We're Dying."

I know other shows did these three things, but these shows are pretty much the most successful and popular.


I know this isn't EXACTLY what you are asking....

Updated On: 2/8/05 at 10:35 PM

*1940's*
Kiss Me, Kate

*1950's*
West Side Story
&
Guys & Dolls

*1960's*
Cabaret

*1970's*
A Chorus Line

*1980's*
Les Miserables

*1990's*
The Lion King

*2000's*
The Producers

LES MISERBALES (sorry, hehe)

Updated On: 2/8/05 at 10:38 PM

Evita opened in September of 1979.
So, yes.

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I like Sweeney as much as the next person, just why is everyone saying though?

I mean, it is a very good show, don't get me wrong, but I never thought of it as the best or anything....grant it, I only saw the video and was very entertained, but....

Sweeney changed what musical theatre was and set the course for what musical theatre could be.

I realize some might view me as crazy and delusional, but I believe Sweeney was and is more influnetial than Oklahoma

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Justice: EVITA opened in September of 1979, missing the cutoff date for the 1979 Tony Awards, so it was considered for the 1980 Tony Awards, and that's what I went by.

thisbijean: what's your one show?

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Well, I picked mine based on how influential I thought the shows were, not on how sucessful they were. To be influential, I feel it has to be vastly different from anything previous.

Whether or not you like Wicked, it didn't really break any barriers or change what musical theatre is.
Which is why I picked Urinetown. It was just so very different from anything that came before it. AND it was sucessful.

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Updated On: 2/8/05 at 10:51 PM

Munk - I could not make all of the choices, but such great shows:
Oklahoma
The Music Man
West Side Story
The Sound of Music
Gypsy
Hello, Dolly
Fiddler on the Roof
Man of La Mancha
Company
Sweeney Todd
Jesus Christ Superstar
Pippin
Evita
Sunday in the Park with George
Les Miserables
The Phantom of the Opera
Miss Saigon
Ragtime
Rent
Avenue Q
Wicked

Why don't you just marry Sondheim already and get it over with. JEEZ!!!!

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haha. I am just playing with the boy. He knows that I respect him and his Sondheim obsession. It is like a drug and there is no clinic to turn to for help. Am I right, Priest?

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Well, I still laughed....

like my obsessions with Andre (<----)

Hence my sig, av (obviously) and my thread of my review of his show....