The Ultimate Broadway Musical

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 6:25pm

This was probably a previous thread, but I've been here for a while and I haven't seen it. So -what is the ultimate Broadway musical? This is the musical that has EVERYTHING! Drama, comedy, showstoppers, great musical numbers, a great story, etc. What do you think is the ultimate musical? You can only pick one, and explain why you picked the show you did.
I would say 42nd Street. It has 2 of Broadway's best known anthems, phenomenal singing, mind blowing dancing, great costumes, lighting, sets, it has dramatic scenes, comedic scenes and a great story. Of course, I'm basing my decision on the revival, because I was not born in time to see the original, unfortunately. My runner up is probably Gypsy. Updated On: 8/22/03 at 06:25 PM

[bernadette88]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 6:41pm

GYPSY---what can i say.....it's perfect!!:::)

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 6:44pm

detail! What makes it so perfect? Is there a version in specific you're talking about?

Posted: 8/22/03 at 6:45pm

i would say something like OKLAHOMA

since it's one of the first musicals, it's SOOO American. It's sooo musical theatre with dancing cowboys, heroes, and villains, young lovers, young comedic lovers, it's got the great formula!

[MsNina]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 7:20pm

wicked

[Theatreboy33]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 7:33pm

My vote goes to Hello Dolly. The comedy is priceless, Jerry Herman's score: sinply marvelous, there's drama, strong ballads, cute group numbers, and large showstoppers. it simply has--everything!

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 7:37pm

I agree that Gypsy is one of the greatest shows of all time.

Drama: A mother living vicariously through her children, forcing one to elope at a young age, and forcing one into stripping.

More Drama: Rose loses the one man who really wanted to be with her, and she has a near-nervous breakdown in the end.

Comedy: The pathetic children's act that this woman thinks is so great. Also, three hilarious strippers who are of a certain age.

Show Stoppers: Some People, Everyting's Coming Up Roses, and Rose's Turn.

Great Story: Takes place during the depression and a time when Vaudeville was dying. Has a single/desperate mother who craves attention. Tells the early story of a very famous stripper.

Not to mention an amazing musical score and memorable lyrics.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 7:48pm

Hello Dolly! Is practical perfection. The original Gower Champion production that is. If possible starring Carol Channing or Pearl Bailey:)

It is a breathtakingly beautiful musical, that flows so seemlessly it gets you high.

The second the curtain raises we are met with an exciting chorus singing "Call on Dolly" (not alot of musicals actually begin with singing, I don't think)

Then soon there is the exciting star entrance of Dolly lowering her newspaper on the train.

The score produced one great American standard, Hello Dolly, and some great musical theater standards such as Before The Parade Passes Bye and It Only Takes a Moment.

I think my favorite song in the score is So Long Dearie.

The show is funny and also pulls at the heartstrings. The thrill of the design elements as well as the groundbreaking choreography were enchanting.

I think the original Hello Dolly was extraordinary. I would be fascinated to see a redesigned, redirected and rechoreographed version of the show. But I would be happier to see a recreation of the original, at least once more, I think.

[MsNina]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 7:54pm

seriously, funny girl. think about it.

i'm too lazy to justify my choice in detail.
that show has got it all.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 8:21pm

I love the story and music to Funny Girl and Hello, Dolly!

I never saw either on stage though Only the movies.

I think Funny Lady is good too. Was that a stage production also? I really like the music in it; and I'm not a sequal person, but I like that it completed the story.

I really enjoyed when Chita Rivera sang "How Lucky Can You Get" on Broadway's Love Songs

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 9:34pm

I would agree with you BillyLawlor- 42nd Street!!

My runner up would be Phantom of course!

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 10:04pm

Theaterbaby, Funny Lady was not a stage production. It was an original film musical that mixed classic and new songs:)

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 10:09pm

Thanks Teach I always wondered about that. I bet that would be an interesting stage production, but it can be difficult to make a sequal work on the Broadway stage. Only those familiar with the first part, or at least familiar with Fanny Brice's life would truly get it.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 11:06pm

ok I have 2
HAIRSPRAY
Beause It's my fav show that I have seen On broadway I feel it has it all
Drama: Working to intergrate a show but also takeing steps to change the world on the way but going throught sturgles to get the you goal, and also dealing with being your own person
comedy all I have to say is Edna, all 3 of Jackie Hafmans parts, and Penny
showstoppers Full of them
great musical numbers everyone
a great story A story of the under dog winning thats alwas a great story

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 11:17pm

Since the question asks what is the ultimate show, rather than what is your favorite show, I'd probably agree that it's 42 Street. Besides its 'ultimate' story, it's got everything else.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 8/22/03 at 11:21pm

ok I have 2
HAIRSPRAY
Beause It's my fav show that I have seen On broadway I feel it has it all
Drama: Working to intergrate a show but also takeing steps to change the world on the way but going throught sturgles to get the you goal, and also dealing with being your own person
comedy: all I have to say is Edna, all 3 of Jackie Hafmans parts, and Penny
showstoppers: Full of them
great musical numbers: everyone of them
a great story: A story of the under dog winning thats alwas a great story

my second on is "Crazy For You" this is my fav show that I have ever done.
Drama: tryint to save a theater and a town
comedy: It's got a town full of funny cowboys and a mad dressing as a famouse person who ends up meeting up with him when in costume
showstoppers: "I've Got Rythem"
great musical numbers: it has g a lot of song that also happen to be in other show like Girl Crazy and things
a great story: Boy wants the be a satr can't get into show mom wahts boy to be a banker goes to a deserted town falls inlove with a girl there and does anything to with her hart and save a thaeter all at the same time I like it

[Kicks8567]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 8:37am

I think Hairspray is the best because from the second the curtain goes up to the second that it falls, it is just nonstop entertainment. As PennyLou was saying it has drama due to the fact that Tracy is trying to integrate a TV show, and it is also a great comedy (You're Timeless to Me, Edna, Jackie Hoffman(the matron, the gym teacher, Penny's mom), and Penny) It also just has a great storyline that is really inspirational, and the music is phenomenal.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 9:48am

One of the longest running Broadway shows:

"A Chorus Line"

It is the ultimate show because it is based on reality. The characters are all composites of real people telling real stories. And people identify with the theme of wanting to be chosen.

It has humor: Dance Ten, Looks Three is a very funny song (and it's a true one too!)
It has drama: the accident resulting in the song "What I Did For Love" which is a great theater anthem
It has dancing girls (and boys)
It has a short overture, 6 notes and your into the show
It has a lead character that you hardly ever see.
It has no intermission. Why waste time buying expensive drinks.
It was one of the first Broadway hits to openly discuss homosexuality
It was one of the first shows to use film techniques (cross-fades, etc) on stage.

A Chorus Line is the ultimate musical!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 9:56am

I STRONGLY have to disagree with 42nd STREET. Although it is about Broadway and is very entertaining, it is based on a movie. All of the songs were written for the silver screen, not for Broadway. If it is to be the “ultimate” Broadway musical, I believe the songs should be original at the very least.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 9:57am

I'll second both Sueleen and Gothampc's emotions.

[JakeB]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 10:15am

Yeah, Crazy for You, it's so Broadway.

[BillyLawlor]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 10:32am

A Chorus Line is a great musical, too. That broke a lot of boundaries. That is a great runner up. And Sueleengay, I didn't say the most ultimate original musical. 42nd Street, whether or not it's based on a movie, has all the components for the ultimate Broadway musical.

[www.ScottNevins.com]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 11:13am

2 of THE all time BEST:


DREAMGIRLS

and


GYPSY

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 1:01pm

ScottNPresents.......I like your choices:) they are indeed two of the best ever, i think:)))

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 8/23/03 at 2:11pm

I agree with Christine, GYPSY and FUNNY GIRL are my votes