What's the most UNDER APPRECIATED Broadway Score?- Page 3

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 10:37am

I second those who mentioned LaChiusa's Wild Party but, to me, Lippa's version is OVERrated.

Agreed. I think without the "hip" cast of young favorites, Lippa's version would have been all but ignored. It's the reason I was disappointed when Lippa was announced to score The Addams Family.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 10:50am

I don't know how underrated it is, but I fell completely in love with the score to Fanny after the Encores! concert and am disappointed it's not more well known.

Shows that have already been mentioned that I would agree with are pacific Overtures, Parade (my current obsession) and She Loves Me. I do think Parade and She Loves Me have certainly gotten recognition for their incredible scores, but they can always get more.

I would also suggest I Do! I Do! and 1776. I think both have good scores, but there are some gems in both that don't seem to be as appreciated as they should be. ("My Cup Runneth Over" is, in my opinion, one of the most lovely and romantic songs in musical theatre history.)

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 11:00am

I wouldn't claim it could stake a claim to being the "most underrated," but I'm consistently surprised at the lack of love for CHILDREN OF EDEN. I'm not really a Schwartz fan, but I think it's his strongest work after PIPPIN.

Also, I third LaChiusa's THE WILD PARTY.

And if I were mounting a defense of Lippa, it wouldn't be his TWP I'd offer up, but john & jen as an example of his talent.

[mallardo]

Posted: 8/31/11 at 11:34am

I recently saw John and Jen and I think I'd agree with that. I was surprised at how good - and how affecting - it is.

[Lyman2]

Posted: 9/4/11 at 7:11am

I would say The Scottsboro Boys was completely underrated and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens is another beautiful score many have not heard.

[RobbMax9519]

Posted: 9/4/11 at 11:52am

Updated On: 9/4/11 at 11:52 AM

[RobbMax9519]

Posted: 9/4/11 at 11:53am

Jesus Christ Superstar and Company are the most underrated in my opinion.

[samuellite34]

Posted: 9/10/11 at 8:39pm

#1 - Catch Me if You Can (How this score was not even nominated is beyond belief)
#2 - Wicked (I still can't believe it didn't win the Tony)
#3 - Spiderman (Listen to this CD everyday...it's that good)

[Hiram]

Posted: 9/10/11 at 9:18pm

SEESAW

[pinoyidol2006]

Posted: 9/10/11 at 9:51pm

Rags. Although I don't know if I like it because of the music or because of Judy Kuhn.

I also really enjoy Spring Awakening. It's highly overrated when you sample teen fans, but I feel like older people give it more trash than it deserves.

[Square Peg2]

Posted: 9/10/11 at 10:03pm

Definitely agree with those who have said Taboo, I adore that score and am devastated at never having been able to see the show. I can't help but presume that the book was a hot mess, because the performances on the cast album are stunning.

Also agree with Runaways, that album blows me away too.

Brooklyn's score is terrible. Cliche ridden, oversung and utterly uninteresting.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 9/11/11 at 6:45am

The problem with this thread is the term "under-rated" which to me suggests that the score has been put down by the critics and/or by word of mouth. Most of the responses here suggest that " under-appreciated" would be a more relevant term

The score to THE MOST HAPPY FELLA may be under-appreciated, but it is certainly not under-rated. It is a highly praised score.

I would agree with the above choices that would fit under the category of under -appreciated: FANNY(which I adore); SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING; SHE LOVES ME; A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN.

I would add that the score to 1958's GOLDILOCKS starring Elaine Stritch is simply unknown. Its score by Leroy Anderson and Walter & Jean Kerr is a gem. I have been praising this musical for years and suggest buying it from Amazon.com so that you can hear for yourself. The production got mixed reviews, but only lasted about 6 months. It was the first musical to be presented in the newly re-built Lunt-Fontanne theatre. I happily saw it twice when I was a
Teenager.

[fflagg]

Posted: 9/11/11 at 2:35pm

DO I HEAR A WALTZ?

SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS

I HAD A BALL

THE GAY LIFE

[egghumor]

Posted: 9/11/11 at 2:52pm

Wonderful thread! I concur with many of the twice/thrice mentioned scores, especially:
THE GRASS HARP
GREY GARDENS
SIDE SHOW
TABOO
and LaChuisa's THE WILD PARTY

and let me add a favorite underrated jewel: Williams Finn's
A NEW BRAIN