We are living a Golden Age in Musicals

I know satisfaction with the execution of these shows may vary. However, it really seems like we are living in a golden age for musicals (new and revival) right now.

10 years ago, could anyone have predicted the events that we have been part of?

* Patti LuPone to deliver a star turn in Gypsy

* To have not one but two new Kander & Ebb musicals, one a controversial but powerful commentary on a major social issue and the other a bizarre but heartfelt companion piece to FOLLIES and SWEENEY TODD, giving Chita Rivera yet another (and potentially last) star turn in a musical

* Three exciting Sondheim revivals:

One with an Academy Award winning star (CZJ) & Angela Lansbury (Night Music), and an interesting (sometimes one-upping, but not always) replacement cast (Bernadette & Stritch - giving us her final Broadway performance).

A lavish (or as lavish as they come these days) prestigious revival of FOLLIES with a full orchestra, and highly effective star and supporting cast

A tasteful revival of Sunday in the Park with a highly effective supporting cast, stand-out lead performance (Jake G) and full orchestra

* Not one but two Pulitzer Prize winning musicals, one a cultural phenomenon that has brought new audiences and more exposure to Broadway than nearly any other musical before it (at least, for a very, very long time)

* A musical that has the guts to satirise deeply held institutions (e.g., religious beliefs) and bring in the one demographic that is often missing from Broadway theatres: young straight males.

* A season (this season) where nearly all musicals are selling well and have their own value-proposition (e.g., A new musical by the Grey Gardens team with LuPone/Ebersole; a musical that seems to companion N2N but oriented more towards social issues than mental health - with a breakthrough performance that might have even one-upped Alice Ripley in a performance that at the time was the one 'for the ages'; a heartfelt musical about people coming together in the face of adversity etc.

* Glenn Close to reprise her role in Sunset Boulevard with the largest orchestra we have seen on Broadway for who knows how long

* Some interesting revivals that in some ways have improved upon the original productions (e.g., Color Purple; Spring Awakening); have brought us back in time (e.g. South Pacific) or are exciting events (e.g., Hello Dolly)

I know this is by no means a complete list. But we are incredibly lucky.

Updated On: 5/9/17 at 05:37 PM

I'm not disagreeing, but I am reminded of the immortal words of Sheridan Whiteside: "I may vomit."

I agree, and you don't even mention Miss Saigon is back in full glory, which is one of the best shows ever written in my opinion.

"It really seems like we are living in a golden age for musicals (new and revival) right now."



You've got to be kidding.

You've GOT to be KIDDING!

A Golden Age for musicals --- with no music!

Kindly stop playing these jokes on us.

They're anything but funny.

I don't know how you define 'golden age'. Most of the examples you give are of revivals. I don't see that as defining a 'golden age'...no matter how well they are done, a period of outstanding revivals doesn't suggest a period of exceptional creativity to me. On the other hand, it is always great to have memorable productions to see and remember.

Not just musicals but almost every kind of theater - off and off off Broadway, regional, tours ...

The one exception might be straight plays on Broadway but it's an embarrassment of riches otherwise.

I get where you are coming from, but I don't think we live in the "Golden Age"...

Golden ages are over-rated.

Dave28282 said: "Miss Saigon is...one of the best shows ever written in my opinion.



"

I think you misspelled "most racist shows."

poisonivy2 said: "I also want to add that we have highly successful pop composers like Cyndi Lauper and Sara Bareilles writing successful musicals like Kinky Boots and Waitress.



"

..And are women as well (along with Fun Home from last year) . Waitress especially where the entire creative team - writer, director, composer,...are all female. That's something new as well.

"I would add that we have two genius young composers who are writing new musicals regularly to semi-regularly who have huge careers still to go in Jason Robert Brown and Adam Guettel."

Adam Guettel writes new musicals regularly? Where are they? I thought that he's only written two in the last 20 years.

Must we repeat the same conversations over and over and over and over?





I suppose we must - it appears to be an unwritten rule.

You misunderstand, Hogan - I was referring to Dave28282 repeated claim that Miss Saigon represents the height of sensitivity to Vietnamese issues.