The Perfect Musical? — Page 5

Cabaret is freaking amazing... but boy it is far from perfect. (I actually like Cabaret better than Sweeney overall, because the "Perfect" parts in Cabaret are stronger than the "perfect" parts in Sweeney, even though sweeney has more of them)

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Some of the shows people are listing are head scratchers...La Cage aux Folles (the dreadful book and antiquated gay jokes)? Sunday in the Park with George (the second act)? Passion (second-tier Sondheim)? RENT (banal lyrics, ****ty ending)?

Come on folks. Really now.

There is no perfect musical, but with so much that can go wrong with a musical, you have to really look at the show. Does it hold up against time? Do the book and songs work cohesively to tell a story? Is the conflict resolved in a believeable manner? Is the show believeable? Can the show be performed in many incarnations without adding or subtracting anything in the belief that the show can be improved?

For me, Gypsy is the closest to getting it perfect. Sweeney Todd is a masterpiece and almost perfect. The Threepenny Opera is damned near perfect, though the various translations help it or kill it. Guys and Dolls is not a personal favorite, but it cannot be denied that it is one of the most perfect shows ever created. South Pacific is almost perfection.

My Fair Lady and Mame are great, but do the songs really add anything or improve upon already great stories?

Sharp Cookies, I must agree with you that Into the Woods is my perfect musical. Especially when "Our Little World" is included. I'm not saying the revival was perfect, but to me, Into the Woods just oozes brilliance and perfection when done correctly.

Other perfect musicals -
The Last 5 Years
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Bat Boy
In The Heights
[title of show]

West Side Story. The music is perfection. The book is touching and brilliant. The dancing is the the most beautiful thing ever to be put on stage.