Posted: 5/30/15 at 11:02pm
There are so many musicals out there that people forget about, but are SO GOOD. So post a show/shows that are r. I have one, Dogfight! Such a great score and it's not that popular, but everyone should listen to the soundtrack at least!
Posted: 5/30/15 at 11:13pm
Also A New Brain, Barnum, Bells are Ringing
Posted: 5/30/15 at 11:23pm
I don't think BELLS ARE RINGING can be called "underrated". It's very dated now. (You'd need a docent to explain to the kids what an answering service was!) But it used to be a "standard", performed by pros and amateurs alike all over the country.
See, also, LI'L ABNER. Probably the funniest lyrics ever written, but very much about the politics of its day. In my youth (1960s), it seemed every high school, community theater and summer stock house mounted it.
Posted: 5/30/15 at 11:25pm
(my opinion)
Tony Best Musicals that no one really talks about, or maybe don't know:
Applause
Big River
Contact
Fiorello!
Hallelujah, Baby!
Kismet
Raisin
Redhead
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Tony Best Score that no one really talks about, or maybe don't know:
Woman of the Year
No Strings
Street Scene
Call Me Madam
Posted: 5/30/15 at 11:35pm
I was just talking about this with my family. My father saw a musical called Goldilocks and thought it was hilarious. It was with Elaine Stritch. Unfortunately, there was a newspaper strike during that time so it didn't get the publicity it needed to succeed. Maybe City Center Encores could bring it back. I'd like to see it.
Posted: 5/30/15 at 11:47pm
Obviously not everyone will agree but on the heels of the new recording I will give a shout out to THE GOLDEN APPLE!
Also a favorite of mine is ONE TOUCH OF VENUS. The book is decidedly old fashioned but the score is wonderful and it's a pretty solid light musical comedy and star vehicle.
Posted: 5/30/15 at 11:49pm
What Makes Sammy Run
Barjour
Superman
Updated On: 6/1/15 at 11:49 PM
Posted: 5/31/15 at 12:53am
Agreed about One Touch of Venus, and I am also a fan of its sister show Lady in the Dark (an American Kurt Weill musical written during World War II that was a star vehicle that has a wonderful score but doesn't exactly hold up all that well without a major star).
I also like Mack and Mabel, Dear World, The Gay Life, Happy Hunting, Irma La Douce, Lost in the Stars, Take Me Along, Wildcat, Little Me, Sunny, Sally, and Very Warm for May
Posted: 5/31/15 at 1:52am
The Wild Party (The Good One)
Marie Christine
Queen of the Mist
Posted: 5/31/15 at 2:01am
The wife and I used to care about underrated musicals. Dude, Via Galactica, Starmites. The critics have it in for Wildhorn so no more.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 4:59am
Dear World! It's got a beautiful score.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 5:02am
Little Women and I Love You Because.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 7:40am
"I Love You Because."
That was a lovely little show!
I would say A New Brain, Purlie, Superman, Call Me Madam, Baby.
And while it has a lot of respect and has been revived and will be revived again next year, I don't think SHE LOVES ME is known as well enough as it should be.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 9:40am
THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM!
Every time a thread like this pops up, I chime in with the same show. How come no smart producer has acted on it yet?
Runners up:
RAGS
THE RINK
Posted: 5/31/15 at 10:37am
Caroline, or Change. It gets plenty of recognition on here, but it was completely overshadowed by Wicked and Avenue Q everywhere else. It's definitely Tesori's masterpiece.
A New Brain. One of Finn's best scores and it has an incredibly intriguing story.
The Visit. It's one of Kander and Ebb's most interesting scores and it is a shame that it's opening at the same time that Fun Home is because it's absolutely beautiful and deserves some award attention.
Pacific Overtures. Sondheim has created a beautiful show based on Kabuki and Noh theatre. Kabuki and Noh theatre is absolutely gorgeous in its own strange way and Sondheim has captured that. He has crafted an odd, but strangely beautiful score.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 1:18pm
"Bare: A Pop Opera" is such a great show and score. I hear the 2007 studio cast recording all the time. Role of a Lifetime, Best Kept Secret, One Kiss, Ever After, One, All Grown Up, Once Upon a Time, Bare... so many good stand alone songs. I saw the LA Revival and the show is a pop opera. So what you hear on the recording is exactly what you hear in the show. It's all recorded. It's one of my dearest shows I keep in my heart.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 2:45pm
Noh involves a supernatural being taking the place of a human to narrate the story. Pacific Overtures is all kabuki.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 3:02pm
Goblin Market is a little gem that I do love and wish got more attention
Posted: 5/31/15 at 8:48pm
Fantod
I'm aware of what Noh is. There are moments that are inspired by Noh as well as Kabuki in Pacific Overtures.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 8:52pm
The reciter isn't a God or a supernatural being. Thus, no Noh
Posted: 5/31/15 at 9:57pm
Rags was so great (saw it in Boston) and is so under-rated.
Posted: 5/31/15 at 10:35pm
There are elements that are inspired by Noh, but I won't argue with you. I have better things to do.
Posted: 6/1/15 at 1:15am
I suggest Baker Street, if only for its score. I haven't had the chance to read the libretto or see the actual show, but love the cast recording.
In my opinion the score is fantastic, "Cold Clear World" and "What a Night This is Going to Be" are great songs.
