#1
Posted: 12/1/09 at 8:51pm
This being December 1, 2009, I suppose now is as good a time as any to compile a list of the greatest musicals of the 21st century... so far. I believe all new musicals opening on Broadway this decade have opened by now.
Please list your top ten favorite shows that premiered between 1/1/00 and 12/1/09 and, if you'd like, please also share any thoughts, memories and initial reactions you had to the shows you choose. Your list may also include off-Broadway, regional and out-of-town tryouts (mine does).
And, for fun, it might be nice to mention how you think future generations will look at the show.
I feel Michael John LaChiusa's THE WILD PARTY is the best musical since Sondheim's FOLLIES and I feel that it, like that show, will never work on stage like it did in the original production but future generations will wonder what the critics were smoking when they wrote those wretched, cruel reviews. I have never had a more cathartic theatre experience, from anger to chills to laughter, and, yes, tears. I would be doing a disservice to the experience to try to put it into words, but just know it was one of those moments in the theatre I will never forget.
For purposes of this poll, I think it might be interesting to note that TWP was one of the first, if not the very first, new musical to open on Broadway in the 20th century. Look at what we've gotten on Broadway, and elsewhere, since.
MY TOP TEN of the 00s, in order:
THE WILD PARTY
SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE
DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES
SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
THE LAST FIVE YEARS
BERNARDA ALBA
HAIRSPRAY
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
SISTER ACT
THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK
A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P
P.S. THE FIRST WIVES CLUB is not included on this list because the Broadway production opening this spring at the Mark Hellinger Theater will undoubtedly win Best Musical 2010 (Tony and DD) and I do not want to confuse anyone who may look back on this thread in the future.
Please list your top ten favorite shows that premiered between 1/1/00 and 12/1/09 and, if you'd like, please also share any thoughts, memories and initial reactions you had to the shows you choose. Your list may also include off-Broadway, regional and out-of-town tryouts (mine does).
And, for fun, it might be nice to mention how you think future generations will look at the show.
I feel Michael John LaChiusa's THE WILD PARTY is the best musical since Sondheim's FOLLIES and I feel that it, like that show, will never work on stage like it did in the original production but future generations will wonder what the critics were smoking when they wrote those wretched, cruel reviews. I have never had a more cathartic theatre experience, from anger to chills to laughter, and, yes, tears. I would be doing a disservice to the experience to try to put it into words, but just know it was one of those moments in the theatre I will never forget.
For purposes of this poll, I think it might be interesting to note that TWP was one of the first, if not the very first, new musical to open on Broadway in the 20th century. Look at what we've gotten on Broadway, and elsewhere, since.
MY TOP TEN of the 00s, in order:
THE WILD PARTY
SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE
DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES
SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS
THE LAST FIVE YEARS
BERNARDA ALBA
HAIRSPRAY
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN
SISTER ACT
THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK
A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P
P.S. THE FIRST WIVES CLUB is not included on this list because the Broadway production opening this spring at the Mark Hellinger Theater will undoubtedly win Best Musical 2010 (Tony and DD) and I do not want to confuse anyone who may look back on this thread in the future.
Updated On: 12/1/09 at 08:51 PM
