What musicals of the last 20 years will be considerred classics fifty years from now?

We all know Oklahoma, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Gypsy, and plenty of other shows which are now considerred theater classics. My question is what shows of today will be considerred classic fifty years from now? My guesses would have to be Rent, The Phantom of the Opera, Ragtime, Spring Awakening, Hairspray, Wicked, and In the Heights, with Billy Elliot in the running to become the next major classic canidate. i'm sure I'm missing quite a few, but what musicals do you think will be considerred classic?

I hate to say this but both Mama Mia and Wicked may be considered classics for the simple reason that they both may still be playing.

Seriously--Rent

Hello... Phantom!!!!!!!

Technically, "Phantom" is 1988 and so just misses the mark, although it will be considered a classic (and may still be running). Honestly, I think only "Rent" will be in that category. I'm afraid musicals like "Grey Gardens" or "Caroline or Change" will fade from memory unless someone does a brilliant revival of them at some point. I think "Lion King" and "The Producers" will be considered major successes, either for longevity or the amount of awards won, but classics? Not sure. I remember "The Enlish Patient" won nine Academy Awards, but do people now consider it a classic? For something which is intangible, ala the word 'classic', it's hard to say. But my vote goes to "Rent". It was new, different, bold, had something to say, was a product of its time, had a brilliant cast many of whom went on to greater fame...I go with that.

i agree with jordan.

legally blonde

I can't wait to see bryan's list.

Rent without question will be a classic

Also Phanton of the opera and MAMA MIA and Lion King have my vote

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I don't think Rent will age well.

Who needs it when you have La Boheme with a more realistic ending?

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It already hasn't aged well. I'm sure a lot of the reference in "La Vie Boheme" are lost on the tweens, but they still sing-a-long. I don't think it will matter much.

Rent will be considered a classic because of the impact it had

I wonder exactly what "impact" RENT had on the Broadway landscape. There were rock musical before and after. There were shows about AIDS before and after. When it opened it was thought to perhaps mark teh start of new trend but in the years that followed mots of the award winners and successes followed more or less tradition formulas: THE LION KING, THE PRODUCERS, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, HAIRSPRAY... none of these would be considered in any way ground breaking. With 14 years hindsight RENT seems more of wildcard than a watershed.

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Updated On: 7/30/09 at 10:57 PM

Not one.