The Next Legendary Librettos

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 3/17/15 at 11:43pm

I read in the "The King and I" preview thread that Oscar Hammerstein's libretto is considered a masterpiece and a legendary libretto and I agree wholeheartedly.

It got me thinking, what are some librettos/books of some of the more recent shows (say post 2001) that could potentially be considered legendary 50/60 years from now?





Updated On: 3/17/15 at 11:43 PM

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/17/15 at 11:45pm

This is such an interesting topic, AKarp! I say that wholeheartedly. I'm curious to hear what people think.

Hmm, I'll have to think about this one.

[Fantod]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 12:29am

This would be a much more interesting topic if I thought that there were any librettos written since 2001 that should be considered legendary. I'd say the best one I can think of is the one for Next to Normal. The Scottsboro Boys, Grey Gardens, and Caroline, or Change all had good librettos as well, though none as good as say Gypsy, South Pacific, or My Fair Lady.

[Lovinbroadway2]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 9:46am

Hmm. Matilda, Grey Gardens, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Billy Elliot comes to mind. I don't know about it being legendary, though.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 10:05am

I think librettos nowadays sort of get the short end of the stick. Even in many of the best contemporary musicals, the score typically outshines the book- they're not equals.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 11:03am

It's been a few years since I've seen it, but I remember liking the libretto of In the Heights a lot. I still think the score outshines it, and I don't know if I'd call it "legendary," but as far as 21st-century librettos go, I think it was pretty good. It didn't leave all the story-telling to the score, and I felt like each scene felt honest and fleshed out, not just something to get us to the next song.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 11:26am

Passing Strange has one of the greatest books of any musical I've seen. You could take away the entire score and still be left with a satisfying evening of theater with Stew's words.

[AKarp2013]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 12:00pm

Ditto on "Passing Strange." I'd also say "Next to Normal."

BTW, in response to Fantod, I never said librettos that should become legendary, but rather ones that could potentially become legendary. If not legendary, then pieces that future writers will look to as inspiration.

[The Josh]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 12:02pm

I would nominate Avenue Q and In the Heights

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 1:12pm

The second act of Grey Gardens is truly a masterpiece. And Caroline or Change is quite glorious too!

[jv92]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 2:27pm

GREY GARDENS and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 2:41pm

Urinetown

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 10:38pm

Matilda.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 11:00pm

PASSING STRANGE was the first to came to my mind, honestly. That show stands alone in so many ways, I still think about it.

I think, as an exercise in construction and execution, JERSEY BOYS' libretto deserves to live on as an exemplar of the good jukebox libretto. But I wouldn't call it legendary.

[AustinRyan]

Posted: 3/18/15 at 11:08pm

Hands down "Next To Normal"

It won the Pulitzer.

I know it's very polarizing but the book itself is phenomenal.

I know a lot of people jump on the band wagon, but it was revolutionary for musical theatre as far as theme and approach.

[darquegk]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 5:02pm

Part of the question, to me, that no one seems to ask is, are the "legendary" librettos and "legendary" shows legends because they are timeless and eternally brilliant? Or did they just start out as "good" and become classic over time?

Thought experiment: if "The Sound of Music" had never come out, but it premiered nowadays, would it still make a ripple? Or is it not only tied to its time, but its cultural impact tied to its time, and today we celebrate not only the piece itself but its cultural impact?

[Fantod]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 5:04pm

I don't think The Sound of Music has a legendary libretto, but I imagine that it would succeed in modern day.

Legendary librettos are the ones to South Pacific, Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, etc. and yes, I think that those shows would be immediately recognized for how well crafted they are in modern times.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 5:11pm

The Sound of Music really didn't make much of an impact until the film came along.

I would add Rent and Falsettos to the list.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 5:16pm

Passing Strange, Fun Home, Grey Gardens.

[Fantod]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 5:24pm

Mister Matt, I might agree about Falsettos (not so much Rent), but I believe the OP asked for librettos written after 2000

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 8:17pm

Caroline, or Change has one of the best librettos of all time - especially considering that it was written and worked on for 10 years before Tesori came along to set it to music.

Updated On: 3/19/15 at 08:17 PM

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 9:23pm

Caroline, or a Change and Grey Gardens have incredibly movie not and effective books.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 9:43pm

next legendary librettos:

Book of Mormon
Next to Normal
The Producers
Wicked

these are all fantastic, clever and well told stories, whether you loved the musical or not

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 9:58pm

"Part of the question, to me, that no one seems to ask is, are the "legendary" librettos and "legendary" shows legends because they are timeless and eternally brilliant? Or did they just start out as "good" and become classic over time?"

This.

Real legendary Librettos:

Fiddler on The Roof.
Gypsy.
Next To Normal.
Into The Woods.
Cabaret

Updated On: 3/19/15 at 09:58 PM

[jnb9872]

Posted: 3/19/15 at 11:57pm

I'm pretty sure one is obliged to include FORUM in the list of all-time legendary librettos, no?