what is the most overrated musical of all time- Page 7

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 2/24/13 at 2:33pm

"Merrily We Roll Along is pretty meh, although "Not a Day Goes By" is stunning."

Have you seen it?

[Emma White]

Posted: 2/24/13 at 2:37pm

"Have you seen it?"

I've seen a few local productions here. They all had phenomenal casts and were overall good productions, and I enjoyed watching the show, but I'm a huge Sondheim fan and it didn't really compare. For me, at least. I know a lot of people like it though!

[PTOPhan]

Posted: 2/24/13 at 3:58pm

The problem with trying to decide whether a musical from an earlier era is overrated is that we cannot view it through the eyes of its contemporaries -- as the Talmud says, we see farther than our ancestors because we are standing on their shoulders.

I happen to think that "My Fair Lady" is one of the greatest musicals of all times, and not overrated at all. In 1956, when it opened on Broadway, the changed ending would have been revolutionary -- an erstwhile misogynist falls for a woman because she exhibits spirit and independence, unlike so many other women of the era. As for why Eliza returns to Higgins: The musical hints that there is much that happened off-stage --"This ring isn't the jeweler's. It's the one you bought me in Brighton. I don't want it now." In other words, they went to the beach, he bought her a ring (a RING) and she's been wearing it until after he ignored her part in "his" triumph. The layers of the story, to me, make it timeless. I think Alan Jay Lerner managed to improve GBS's story by softening it and removing some of the misogyny. In 2013, that's impressive. In the 1950's, it was extraordinary.

As for the most overrated, I'd say "Oklahoma," with the Talmudic caveat in mind. The story makes light of the very serious dispute between the cowboys and farmers, and presents a heroine who is a shallow ninny. On the other hand, the choreography was considered revolutionary, especially with the use of the dance doubles. But, considering "Oklahoma's" numerous revivals, most people apparently disagree with me.

[Jim in Merced CA]

Posted: 2/24/13 at 7:34pm

For me, it's "the sound of music'

It was made into one of the best movie musicals of all time - but it just hasn't held up well.

[mememe]

Posted: 2/25/13 at 5:27am

financial success/people loving it doesn't make it overrated it makes it popular. Overrated is when a piece has praise lavished all over it although in many peoples opinion it isn't actually the most brilliant piece. Work like 'Spring Awakening' falls into that category. Not because it isn't good but it isnt the ground breaking piece everyone said it was. Wicked on the other hand is not overrated because all the critics and academics hated it.

[chris_ranke]

Posted: 2/25/13 at 6:59am

The musical I have always found overrated is WEST SIDE STORY!

[DEClarke]

Posted: 3/22/13 at 4:42pm

I'd also have to say JERSEY BOYS? I just saw that this week in Houston. I found the book to be disgustingly thin. Did the writers think the audience wouldn't care or desire a good book? If so, they should just scrap the book and present a staged concert.

I don't see how this musical is so popular.

Also, the sound mixing in Houston was awful!!!

[rorschach37]

Posted: 3/23/13 at 8:39am

While Phantom and Les Mis are on the list, I personally think WICKED is the most overrated musical of all time. I mean, it's an alright show, but in my opinion it does not deserve half the attention it gets and should've closed a long time ago.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/23/13 at 9:32am

one universal definition of most overrated or most underrated is impossible.

[BwayDreamer00]

Posted: 10/2/17 at 11:27pm

OVERRATED

Wicked-I liked it. Extremely entertaining with obnoxiously catchy songs and huge sets to follow.....but nothing out of this world amazing??

Grease-Great songs, boring plot

Cats-Nothing happens, it's literally a self explanatory title

Mama Mia!-Yes those songs will never leave your head, but the story is just SO BAD and the movie did it zero favors.

Oklahoma-Just really boring I love Rogers and Hammerstein but usually Oklahoma lacks that oomph and quirkiness the other shows have. 

Jersey Boys-A fine jukebox musical. Best musical award winning worthy? Nope.

Shows that to me aren't overrated 

Annie to me is a lovable guilty pleasure. Yeah it's kind of annoying and in your face but my GOD those songs are catchy.

Legally Blonde-Same thing, very in your face but the songs are irresistible. 

Avenue Q-It's just so heartwarming and relaxed. I'd rather have funny, fresh, original shows winning then big money money budget musicals about witches winning best musical. 

BOM-I adore Book Of Mormon. So so so so so so so funny. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 3:51am

The Lion King takes the cake in my book.

[Dave28282]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 7:08am

The Lion King

Wicked

West Side Story

Hamilton

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 7:26am

Dear Evan Hansen

The Lion King

[lotiloti]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 7:30am

Wicked

Lion King 

Aladdin

Hamilton (Sorry, I loathed it)

BOM (insult to anyone with more than half a brain cell)

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 9:03am

Show Boat: Great score and story, but the narrative structure makes it pretty underwelming. 

The Lion King: loathed it when I saw it. It has interesting visuals but little to no momentum as far as the story goes.

Book of Mormon: Some jokes are just more cheap and insulting than funny.

Hairspray: A oversimplified and inadequate attempt to address raical issues that leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

Phantom: It doesn't age well.

Guys and Dolls: One of the worst things I've seen in my life.

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 9:13am

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Phantom: It doesn't age well."

What about Phantom do you feel hasn't aged well?

[thirtythirtyninety]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 9:38am

MEMPHIS.  Period.

[michaelhale]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 11:58am

HamilHansen said: "Feel like I've answered this question ONCE before. Don't mean to be WICKED or anything, but hey, I mean there are just some musicals that can just BE (More Chill) overrated."

ok this got me laughing

I haven't seen a show that I felt was overrated, and I'll give any show I haven't seen the benefit of the doubt that it was better in the theater. Which is how I feel about Be More Chill. Which I definitely feel is overrated, but only by a group that I feel like is praising it so high because they, like... Like it haha, so I'm not really concerned about it. Glad people are enjoying and supporting some original regional theatre, and they're very supportive of the cast+crew.

Hamilton, surprisingly, lived up to the hype for me, despite me having a less than favorable outlook on it and getting in for free (does anyone else have a feeling like after you've paid $100+ to get into a show you have to love it or else what a waste? lol).

[Dave28282]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 12:05pm

Lot666 said: "Dancingthrulife2 said: "Phantom: It doesn't age well."

What about Phantom do you feel hasn't aged well?"

I feel that Phantom is one of the few shows that ages very well and also one of the few ones that keep Broadway and the West End classy.

Updated On: 10/3/17 at 12:05 PM

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 12:05pm

Be More Chill.  All the kids are obsessed with it and it may just be one of the worst things that I've ever heard.

[ChampOfChamps]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 12:15pm

Kinky Boots

Caberet

[sppunk]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 12:23pm

Oklahoma!

It’s almost as terrible as the state itself. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 12:36pm

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

[hork]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 12:37pm

GeorgeandDot said: "Be More Chill. All the kids are obsessed with it and it may just be one of the worst things that I've ever heard."

I've never even heard of it.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/3/17 at 12:52pm

Dear Evan Hansen, natch.