Underrated and Overrated Broadway, West End, and/or Off-Broadway Musicals

[cattails17]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 10:31am

What musicals do you think are underrated and overrated? I'll go first:

Overrated: Hamilton (I love it though), Heathers, Newsies, Cats, Wicked, Rent, Les Miserables

Underrated: Cruel Intentions, Anastasia (one of my favorites!), Light in The Piazza

There have been posts like this before, but I want to get new opinions.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 1:17pm

Overrated: Billy Elliott, Hadestown, City of Angels, Fun Home, Into the Woods, The Lion King, Two Gentlemen From Verona, A Chorus Line, Raisin, The Wiz, Avenue Q.

(Note 1: I liked some of these shows, hated some.  Just thought the ones I liked, e.g., A Chorus Line, were overrated.  Chicago, IMO a better musical by far, got lost in the aura that was A Chorus Line, which was absurd.  At least time corrected that one).  (Note 2: I left out CATS, which I hate, because it didn't get great reviews when it opened).  (Note 2: I would have said Oklahoma until I saw last year's production).

Underrated or Underappreciated:  MAME (IMO it is much better than Hello, Dolly), Ragtime, Sunset Blvd (has issues, but IMO it is ALW's best score and has a great role for a leading lady; Bandstand, Purlie, It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman; Hallelujah, Baby, Cyrano (Christopher Plummer version), Something Rotten, Over Here, Shuffle Along

[markypoo]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 7:45pm

PARADE is, unfortunately, both underrated AND unappreciated.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 5/9/20 at 8:17pm

A specific duo: Ragtime is extremely overrated, and Seussical is extremely underrated.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 12:53am

I loathe Ragtime. I hate third person narration in a musical. I know it's how the book is written, but it has a distancing quality in a live show. Same with something like Catch Me If You Can. 

Underrated: My Life With Albertine. Some gorgeous music. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 2:11am

RippedMan said: "I loathe Ragtime. I hate third person narration in a musical. I know it's how the book is written, but it has a distancing quality in a live show. Same with something like Catch Me If You Can.

Underrated: My Life With Albertine. Some gorgeous music."

Have to admit that I have never heard of it...is there a cast recording??

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 10:41am

Overrated: Rent, Spring Awakening, The Band's Visit, Gentlemen's Guide

Underrated: Aida (I know it was popular but I think it's underrated from a critical perspective), Groundhog Day, The Prom, Seussical, The Wedding Singer

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 12:34pm

Overrated: Hadestown, Wicked, Ain't Too Proud

Underrated: Aladdin, Bandstand, Anastasia

Updated On: 5/10/20 at 12:34 PM

[stoptheworld38]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 12:48pm

Overrated: Wicked, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls (I love all of those though)

Underrated: Groundhog Day, Great Comet, Tuck Everlasting, Head Over Heels (many others as well)

[another sloe eyed vamp]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 2:49pm

Underrated: Amour

Overrated: The Producers

[Brookswashere]

Posted: 5/10/20 at 3:46pm

I legitimately believe Groundhog Day may be the most underrated the show of the past decade

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 5/11/20 at 6:30pm

I own it so I know there is one but not sure if it’s on any streaming services but look up “Is it too late.” Gorgeous!

[ARTc3]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 1:00am

My addition to this thread is, Trixie True Teen Detective: an Off-Broadway gem that was mostly well received, but was far better than its run. Ms. Sokol was amazing as was the entire cast. The production was clever and amazing, especially on an Off-Broadway budget. Book and music were beyond fun. Yup, Trixie True, an underrated gem.

[AADA81]

Posted: 5/12/20 at 1:11pm

Overrated: The Producers, The Book of Mormon, RENT, The Music Man, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, The Wiz, Evita, La Cage aux Folles, Wicked, The Lion King

Underrated: Caroline or Change, A Catered Affair, Titanic, Funny Girl, Mame, The Most Happy Fella, Merrily We Roll Along, Cinderella (R&H), Two By Two, Goldilocks, Sweet Smell of Success

[Lot666]

Posted: 5/28/20 at 10:43am

Brookswashere said: "I legitimately believe Groundhog Day may be the most underrated the show of the past decade"