What Is The Perfect Broadway Show?- Page 2

[jasonf]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 6:28pm

How exactly do you define "perfect" in a completely objective sense? There's no checklist you can use. The closest you can come is asking the question: "Does every single aspect of the show - production, score, lyrics, book, acting etc. - serve the show in its best possible capacity?" meaning every element serves the greater purpose of the show.

For me, the only show I can think of that really does that for me is 1776. Other shows come very close (like Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, and Guys and Dolls) but there's something in each show that annoys ME preventing them from being perfect for me. But that's where taste comes in - I can't say Sweeney only because the song "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" feels so obvious and forced for me. Similarly, "Little Lamb" feels like a wasted moment to me in Gypsy. Guys and Dolls almost works for me also, but I always get a little bored during the extended dance in Havana. The thing, though, is that's just me - people may love those songs or that dance. I don't think it CAN be judged completely objectively. 1776 works for me because I think every song works, every lyric works, and I think it's without doubt the best book of any musical ever written.

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 7:14pm

"She Loves Me" is a near-perfect show. I know this doesnt answer youre question totally; the original production and roundabout revival prove that the show sadly doesnt have much staying power, but as far as a wonderfully well constructed show, this is it.

The score is absolutly lovely-much variety and dangerously catchy. The lyrics are very witty and clever. It also features some of the most beautiful female ballads; "Will He Like Me" and "Dear Friend" are heartbreaking.

Characters are endearing and loveable, and the book is near perfect, from the character development to careful construction of subplots. The show is rather light and predictalbe, but in an entirely charming way that doesnt make ones eyes roll.

The one small, small flaw is the shows lack of big, roof raising production numbers. But even that is a "flaw" only in one's opinion.

[CandiceElyse]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 7:23pm

I disagree that wicked has a bad score, but thats my opinion. I don't think its perfect, but it is my favorite. Like said before, it just has that 'it' factor and its just SO fun. and obviously audiences agree for whatever reason!!

But to me the best, perfect, old fashioned musical is definitely Oklahoma! beautiful music, timeless, sappy love story that makes everyone secretly wish they were Curly/Laurey, comedy, fun witty writing/characters, dancing, i could go on and on!

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 7:26pm

Like theatre itself, this question is subjective.

LES MIZ and THE PRODUCERS are the "perfect" Broadway musicals... in my opinion.

A CHORUS LINE and EVITA could also be considered for this honor.

While I adore PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, I realize and emphatically discuss it's many and major flaws.

CIRCLE OF LIFE from THE LION KING is the best opening of any Broadway musical past, present or future, but there are points in the show that fall flat, i.e.- the song CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE...? is gorgeous and sets the mood for the lovers Simba and Nala, it stops the motion of the story at an inopportune time.

[jasonf]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 7:43pm

Could almost agree with Les Mis (which is my favorite show) if it weren't for the obvious filler of "Turning."

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 7:58pm

I dunno, I would agree about 'Turning' if it wasn't for the line "Who will wake them?" "No-one ever will".

South Pacific and Gypsy. Not to say that these are my favourites (that honour belongs to West Side Story and Les Misérables) but in terms of 'perfect' musicals, i'd have to go with those two.

Would be interesting to count up the ideas in this thread and have a poll - see which comes top.

[jasonf]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 8:35pm

That idea is already expressed by Marius, why do we need nameless background characters singing that?

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 9:01pm

I love conversations like this.

I have expressed this opinion many many times on this board, but for me, the perfect musical is OKLAHOMA!. It is the first perfect musical, and it still works today. Song, dance, and book are perfectly integrated in OKLAHOMA! - action is never sacrificed for entertainment value - everything is active and moves the story forward. There are other perfect musicals (GUYS AND DOLLS, GYPSY, and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF come to mind), but OKLAHOMA! is the first and is timeless in that we will always look at the American spirit of OKLAHOMA! in a fresh way. It is about, to me, definitively American feelings, and thusly, is my "perfect" musical.

Your question, however, is very interesting. You ask what is the perfect "Broadway Show", which is a far more difficult question to answer. You point to THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, easily the most successful musical of all time, which despite its age, still seems to move thousands. It's an interesting discussion. What makes a perfect "Broadway show"? How current and cutting edge it is? How well it touches an audience? How commercially successful it is? How artistically ambitious it is?

I think that the answer will be very different for everyone, because the idea of a Broadway show is different for everyone. I guess for me, the perfect Broadway show is 42ND STREET, because that, to me, captures the essence of "Broadway" to me - the glitz, glamour, big belting, leggy chorines pounding the pavement in New York for the chance to dance and sing, a girl from Allentown that becomes a diva overnight, etc. Is it a perfect MUSICAL? No. Not at all - the book is a mess, and the songs rarely, if ever, actually advance the story or are ever active. But it's a very successful show - schools and regional theatres everywhere do it, its two Broadway productions have been extremely successful and long-running. But it does capture the essence, to me at least, of a perfect "Broadway show".

If anyone actually read through all my blathering, major props to you. : )
Updated On: 1/3/11 at 09:01 PM

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 9:02pm

Gypsy...
West Side Story...
and (althought I may get some flack for this) Hello, Dolly!

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 9:07pm

broawaybabytn,

no flack. "Hello, Dolly!" is one of my favorite shows. Probably fits more into the category of "perfect Broadway shows" than "perfect musicals", but no reason to like it any less.

Someone earlier mentioned "Boeing Boeing" - a "perfect Broadway show" can easily be a play. Maybe the original production of "Streetcar"?

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 9:11pm

Streetcar with Marlon Brando definitely ranks up there.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 9:26pm

I disagree that wicked has a bad score, but thats my opinion. I don't think its perfect, but it is my favorite. Like said before, it just has that 'it' factor and its just SO fun. and obviously audiences agree for whatever reason!!

As I previously said, just because a show is successful and draws in a lot of people does not make it perfect. I personally think Wicked is one of the worst shows on Broadway, but that is my opinion. There is no denying that the score has some major problems, especially the lyrics. I can see why so many people love it because of the story and characters, but when you break this show down, there are just so many problems. The point I'm trying to make is that even though as show is very popular and grosses millions of dollars, that does not make it perfect.
A previous poster made a comment about the brilliant John Doyle revival of Sweeney Todd. I saw this production and thought is was absolutely stunning, striking, and just an amazing production This production brought forth the beauty and magic of Sondheim's score and focused only on that. When a show can be stripped of everything (big sets, big cast, etc.) except the music and cast, and still be spectacular, that to me means it is perfect or pretty close to it.

[jasonf]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 9:57pm

I just don't get "Hello Dolly," let alone why anyone would call it a perfect show. Some of the songs are pretty good, fine, but some are just dull. The story is inane and perhaps the fluffiest of shows - there's absolutely no substance there. As a star vehicle, yes, it gives the leading lady a chance to shine, but that hardly makes a "perfect" musical.

Don't get me wrong, I can see how people enjoy it - a fluffy night in the theater can be welcome compared to some of the more ponderous stuff out there, but a "perfect" musical?

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 10:58pm

The first show that came to my mind was A Chorus Line. I don't see how anybody could argue with that. Then, there's a number of Sondheim shows, including the previously mentioned Gypsy and Sweeney. Now, I'm wondering what people would think about Ragtime? I personally can find now flaws in it, and it's one of my favorite shows. I think the story is so powerful, the music is great, and when well-executed, it is just an amazing experience. Also, for more recent shows, I would add The Light in the Piazza. It has such a beautiful score, and it's just so moving.

I know that I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but I really just don't like South Pacific. I (embarrassingly enough) hadn't actually seen the show until the PBS broadcast this August. I was very excited because all I had heard about the production was praise, but I was left not really feeling anything. I wanted to love the show so much, but I just didn't feel anything toward it. I don't hate it, but I don't see the appeal. I didn't feel anything for the characters, and I felt like parts of it dragged. It didn't have the thrill that I usually get from seeing a musical. I thought that production was very good (I really like what I've seen from the director, and there were some great actors on the stage) but I just couldn't connect with it.

[broadwaybabytn]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 6:28pm

I don't see how a musical based on a Thorton Wilder play can be described as "fluff." The lead role provides an opportunity for a musical comedy actress to show off a light side and a slightly more somber one in one piece. Cornelius, Barnaby, and Irene are all cecent parts with interesting plotlines. The music is beautiful, although some people disagree. All of these point to it being a serious, well-rounded (if light-hearted) work of theater.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 6:42pm

See...this thread is the perfect example. There is no "Perfect" show. If there was, everyone would have to agree that its perfect in every way possible. GYPSY is cited a few times on here...and while on these boards it's quite popular, I know plenty of people who have seen that show who despised it (mainly saying how boring and trite it was.) I disagree with them, but they have valid reasons. Just like how I said WICKED is my favorite, and as someone below me posted, they think it sucks.
I personally find a lot of "old" shows (SOUTH PACIFIC, SOUND OF MUSIC, OKLAHOMA, ect.) to be extremely boring an unoriginal. I think its cuz I just am more contemporary (although I do love GYPSY and several old shows)

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 10:35pm

I would say Fiddler, Ragtime, and South Pacific were perfect if they weren't so long. Yes, I know that ALNM is really long too, but the time flies by. With the shows I just mentioned, as wonderful as they are, you can feel their lengths.

[hpeabody930]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 3:45am

This is a really interesting conversation. For me, I think it is the flaws in the shows that keep them interesting. What fun is watching a "perfect" (and I don't believe one exists) show? It's all about the risks and how far out on a limb the writers/creative team are willing to go.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 12:16pm

As clearly demonstrated in this thread already, it is hard to pinpoint what perfection is, let alone if any of the shows mentioned a given set of criteria.

I would list Sweeney Todd and She Loves Me as ones with which I can't find fault, but that doesn't mean you couldn't.

1776, Gypsy, Fiddler, The Music Man and My Fair Lady are close, but fail for me because at some point in each show I find myself bored out of my head.

Ragtime is also very close, but it runs too long and the story gets a little muddled with tangential characters like Evelyn Nesbit suddenly having big production numbers. The central story and score, however, knock me out every time.

Light in the Piazza is probably my personal favorite piece of writing, but I don't think the book is flawless, and at best its tone is frequently at odds with the score.

As for How to Succeed, after seeing it on Broadway in '95 I considered it a masterpiece that never felt like a 3-hour evening, but later productions have proven me wrong. It is ridiculously long and loses steam as the evening progresses.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 12:21pm

A Chorus Line. Hands down.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 1/5/11 at 2:16pm

bwayphreak, you can also say that the reason it's making millions is because a lot of people do find it amazing. YOU can sit and find lyrical issues or whatever you want to find wrong with the show, but like I and others have said, just because you do not like it does not mean others dont. Its all personal taste. I find the lyrics to be both very magical yet something you can relate to.
I guess why I feel so strongly about this is because people (not saying your doing this by any means Bwayphreak, I'm just talking in general terms) people look down on WICKED fans and treat them like they have no taste in musical theater. I mean, one of my all time fave shows is "Into the Woods" and "A Little Night Music"