The Perfect Musical?- Page 2

[elphabelle07]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:01pm

In my opinion, Gypsy, Les Miserables, and Sunday in the Park With George. They're just about as perfect as musicals can get. All have AMAZING music, lyrics, and stories/themes.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:04pm

I'd go with GYPSY, along with A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. I really consider both of those flawless.

[elphabelle07]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:09pm

I forgot A Little Night Music!! thank you for reminding me wonderfulwizard!

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:14pm

"I'd go with GYPSY, along with A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. I really consider both of those flawless."

No musical is "flawless"

there are flaws in every musical written

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:15pm

What do you think the flaws in Gypsy are?

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:23pm

The most obvious one...

"Little Lamb."

Yeah, the moment needs a number, but not this one.

It's in the right place, and evokes the right sentiment, but the song is dull lyrically and musically until the lovely bridge. ("Did somebody paint you like that. Or is it your birthday too?')

it's just so unbearably twee.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:29pm

Sweeney
Nine
Gypsy
King And I
Once On This Island

in that order

Updated On: 7/17/08 at 05:29 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:36pm

I'm surprised at the number of people who list Gypsy as "perfect", yet so many claim they hate the song Little Lamb. LOL As far as nearly perfect musicals:

Les Miserables
Oklahoma
Show Boat
West Side Story
The Most Happy Fella
Gypsy
A Little Night Music
The Music Man
Fiddler on the Roof
A Chorus Line
Billy Elliot

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:45pm

Drowsy Chaperone

[sondhead]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:48pm

I always think of Little Shop too--people overlook it because it's campy and fun, but it is brilliantly and tightly written. There isn't a word or note misplaced. If the pacing is right and the performers talented, it is such a joy to watch.

My list would include Gypsy, Little Shop of Horrors and Sweeney Todd.

"Based on what's been said already: A fight between Rent, Gypsy and My Fair Lady"

I don't understand RENT being considered a perfect musical. There are several laughably terrible lyrics, not to mention that RIDICULOUS ending. I love that people say that RENT was 1. So original and displays such artistic vision and 2. Is so REAL

1. It's La Boheme in the 90s and AIDs instead of Tuberculosis. It's the EXACT same story. As for the music, Broadway shows have featured "popular" music literally since its inception, so I fail to see the innovation here either.

2. Ya it's so realistic. No sugar coating. Except for when Mimi magically comes back to life, turning a somber dark finale into a campy ridiculous one. Of course, is this even a happy ending? She still has AIDs. Isn't it actually just prolonging her suffering? Baaaaaad writing.

[commasplice]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 5:51pm

The Most Happy Fella is to me a damn near perfect show. As are A Little Night Music and Gypsy.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 6:18pm

sondhead - Thanks for reminding me! I almost forgot to add Rent to my list. I disagree with most everything in your post, but such is life. I don't believe Rent is so much an "original" show (not that anyone said it was, but elements of the show are original) as it is well-conceived, and while popular music has indeed been featured on Broadway before, there is no denying Rent highly influenced a new musical style of writing that has gained momentum in popularity both on and off Broadway. And as for being "realistic", so what? Not that anyone said it is realistic, but anyone who expects realism from a musical is just asking for ridicule, so why even pick it apart? Were you expecting the show to be realistic or are you arguing with the invisible people who are making these claims?

[sondhead]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 6:37pm

I'm responding to things I hear people say all the time. Whether people think it's realistic or not, the ending trivializes the entire "message" of the show, at least to me.

But to each their own :) Thanks for not bashing my opinion, and I definitely won't bash yours
Updated On: 7/17/08 at 06:37 PM

[brochatkid]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 8:49pm

South Pacific. It has beautiful music, it's theme and message are timeless, it's progressive, and gives great roles to the actors. Also, it is a classic.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 9:43pm

I'll agree that She Loves Me is pretty much perfect too. It's so charming. God, I love that show.
And I absoultely disagree with everything negative said about "Little Lamb." It's one of the top three numbers in Gypsy. Updated On: 7/17/08 at 09:43 PM

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 9:59pm

I really think West Side Story is one of the perfect musicals. I enjoy the music and the story is great. That is the only musical I have come close to crying in. The ending is probably one of the most dramatic and personally, is my favorite ending to a show ever.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 10:00pm

Easy:

[Kev14]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 10:30pm

Sondhead, I totally agree with you about the endings of musicals. They are so important and can really mess up what the whole show was about.

Rent is a great show but the ending is...well...interesting. I always space that scene out. I guess this demonstrates that someone will always find something with every show. But hey, who cares? The only thing that matters is that a musical is perfect to you.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 10:57pm

On second thought...



and if you've never seen Karen Morrow and company do the title number, then you've never experienced the quintessential 1960s Broadway musical:

http://www.bluegobo.com/video.php?var=10239

[nolongeryou]

Posted: 7/17/08 at 11:21pm

[erineloise]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 1:13am

Night Music for me. It is, to me, one of the most beautiful portrayals of what love is on stage. Love flows from the music, you can almost feel the story line without even hearing a single lyric. You see the show and you think, "That was so beautiful!" and then later, "That was so incredibly depressing." and then finally to, "That is what relationships are." I cry thinking about it. Yes, I did wish it had a better book, but I can handle it, every show has flaws, and if something was perfect...well what would you be able to do with it? There would be no challenge!

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 1:20am

I think "Little Lamb" is perfect.

[Mekroth]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 1:23am

I find Sweeney Todd to be the epitome of any theatrical experience.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 1:32am

"I think "Little Lamb" is perfect."


Perfect?? REALLY??

2. excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement

3. exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose

4. entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings

5. accurate, exact, or correct in every detail: a perfect copy.

6. thorough; complete; utter: perfect strangers.

[walkedthroughmany]

Posted: 7/18/08 at 1:42am

"Perfect?? REALLY??"

Yes.