What's the one show that you......

[seasons of love]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:15pm

Hey everyone! Sorry if there's already a topic about this, but I thought I'd give it a shot!:

What is the one (or two) show that you feel a person needs to know, or know a lot about, in order to call themselves a true Broadway fan...?? Say why you think what you do aswell... :)

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:16pm

A Chorus Line.

No explanation necessary.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:19pm

Hmmm...probaby A CHORUS LINE
But for modern day, RENT

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:19pm

SWEENEY TODD.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:20pm

Fiddler on the Roof
Show Boat

[superwoman108]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:21pm

not a particular show, but they should have a good understanding and knowledge of Sondheim

[seasons of love]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:21pm

I was thinking about this last night when I decided to make a thread on it and the two that I thought of instantly were Sweeney Todd and A Chorus Line. I can see why RENT would be on this list too. Jonathan's birthday is in two days!

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:22pm

A Chorus Line and Cabaret.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:23pm

you're gonna get as many answers to this as there are Broadway fans...

[seasons of love]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:23pm

Oh yes. Definitely Fiddler too. I grew up on that one...

New rule: Some choices don't require explanation. You don't have to say why if you don't want to... :) :)

Also, The Music Man

[seasons of love]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:24pm

lol redhotinny

Cabaret.... definitely

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:26pm

also one must have substantial knowledge about
1) the work of Rodgers and Hammerstein
2) the work of Stephen Sondheim

and one must appreciate (or at least have knowledge about) both modern musical theatre (post- 1970 in my opinion) and pre- 1970 musical theatre

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:28pm

"Show Boat" (Broadway songs don't get much better than "Bill") and anything by Sondheim.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:30pm

As much as I love sondheim I think in order for one to know about theatre they need to go back to the roots. Show Boat, Music Man, Pajama Game, Rodgers and Hammerstein Shows, Cole Porter, Kander and Ebb...etc

Sondheim Shows are wonderful but not traditional!

[sanda]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:32pm

I should say Jerome Robbinson

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:34pm

I think that in this day and age, the more un-traditional you go, the better. Sondheim has revolutionized the way we think about the theatre.

This show is rare and largely unknown, but it should be heard: "Pardon My English".

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 4:37pm

Do you mean Jerome Robbins?

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 5:03pm

Sound of Music and Oklahoma.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 5:06pm

Gypsy

Company

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 5:10pm

If you truly want to be with the "big dogs" one should know...

Sondheim
Lloyd Webber
Rogers and Hammerstein (and Hart)
Cole Porter

and for shows you should know something about the big ones of the decades....

The Lion King
Rent
Chicago
A Chorus Line
Phantom of the Opera
Fiddler on the Roof
Oklahoma
Show Boat

just to name a few

Actually one could just watch the Broadway:An American Musical on DVD and then read the book and one would have a good knowledge.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 5:12pm

Showboat
Oklahoma
West Side Story
Company
A Chorus Line

That's a good start...

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 5:19pm

A Chorus Line
West Side Story
South Pacific
Les Miserables
Phantom of the Opera

The main 5 in my opinion, then maybe...

Kiss Me Kate
Showboat
King & I
42nd Street
Sweeney Todd Updated On: 2/2/05 at 05:19 PM

[keggss23]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 5:42pm

"also one must have substantial knowledge about
1) the work of Rodgers and Hammerstein
2) the work of Stephen Sondheim

and one must appreciate (or at least have knowledge about) both modern musical theatre (post- 1970 in my opinion) and pre- 1970 musical theatre"

My thoughts exactly. When I first saw this thread, I remembered someone's response to the "Top 10 Theater People of all time" thread and someone had responded with: Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel as well as 8 others that had absolutely no business being on the all time list. It just seems like people are not interested anymore in the classics, the composers, actors, producers, directors, choreographers and shows that have made Broadway what is today. (No offense to the person to whom I am referring or to Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, but there was theater before Wicked.)

The Broadway series they had on KPBS not too long ago would be great for anyone wanting to learn about the history of Broadway and how it has taken shape over the years.

I am grateful for Wicked bringing so many fans to Bway that maybe would never have gotten into it otherwise, but I just wish that it's fans would realize that Wicked is not the only show on Bway and do their research before posting that Idina Menzel is one of the greatest of all time. I just feel sad for them that they are depriving themselves of some of the greatest work in history and making fools of themselves on public messageboards. Do your research!

I'm sure I am going to get flamed for saying this. Oh well.

Updated On: 2/2/05 at 05:42 PM

[zippyjen]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 6:26pm

I would say oklahoma, cabaret, rent, the lion king and west side story. Oh and definatelly an overview of sondheim.

[J-Pill]

Posted: 2/2/05 at 6:49pm

GYPSY

It's the definitive Broadway musical.