The Most Successful 'Original' Musical Ever?

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 6:35pm

Weez and I have been discussing successful musicals, and specifically successful original musicals.

And we were thinking...What is the most successful 'original' musical ever?

The discussion came about after I saw an internet post claiming it to be Wicked...go figure...so, we're basing the idea of 'original' being original book, music and lyrics, and not based on anything.

We seem to have got two finalists:

The Rocky Horror Show & A Chorus Line

So...what is the most successful. We think it's one these, but can't decide which.

Or is it another?
Updated On: 5/21/11 at 06:35 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 6:59pm

If you want to get technical Rocky Horror was inspired by a lot of B movies and A Chorus Line was based on interviews so it would be neither of those.

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:01pm

The Music Man

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:05pm

I think it might be Grease actually.

CATSNYrevival, I think I'd class Rocky Horror as a "pastiche" as opposed to based on those films. And A Chorus Line was based on some real-life experiences yes, but if we take that into account, then no musical would be original xD

[charlesjguiteau]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:05pm

I know The Fantastics is based on "The Romanesques" (or some such play) but most people would consider it an original creation.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:08pm

The Fantasticks is based on Romeo and Juliet and the play of Pyramus and Thisbe in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:11pm

How are we defining success? I think The Music Man is much more artistically successful than Grease.

[charlesjguiteau]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:12pm

Maybe not the most successful in terms of long runs, but successful in terms of brilliant shows, I'd include:
Lady in the Dark
Brigadoon (controversial whether Lerner based this on a German legend)
Finian's Rainbow
The Music Man
Rags
Into the Woods (does this count?)
City of Angels
Titanic
Parade
The Drowsy Chaperone
Next to Normal

Are any of these actually based on a previous source?
Updated On: 5/21/11 at 07:12 PM

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:13pm

Financial and audience reception? (ie. Long runs etc.)

[CapnHook]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:13pm

You have to REALLY define for us "original." That will determine the criteria.

A CHORUS LINE, in my opinion, should count. Those interviews were field research for the show, so it was NOT based on existing material.

To me, an ORIGINAL musical is one that is not based on an existing property (ie novel, film, TV show, comic book, fairy tale, biography, news story, etc.).

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 7:26pm

"To me, an ORIGINAL musical is one that is not based on an existing property (ie novel, film, TV show, comic book, fairy tale, biography, news story, etc.)."

That is what I was trying to get at, sorry if it wasn't that obvious! :P

[CateBroadway]

Posted: 5/21/11 at 9:56pm

And technically MUSIC MAN is based on a short story. But it was also written by Meredith Wilson so I guess that counts...