October 24, 2007
Don't ask me where I got that blog title, or topic.
I guess it was because I heard a snippet of that song on NPR this morning, and so now it's in my head. I'm ready to leave for a two-hour meeting this morning, then a lunch date (good grief, when am I going to write today?)…so off I'll go with that song in my head–and there could be worse earworms, no?
Which brings me to the question: Do you have a favorite "old" or "revival" musical? How about a newer one (ie, Webber, Rice/John, etc.)?
I used to be involved in theater productions in high school, and then when I got out of college, I met my Music Man doing community theater. Since I can't sing, I'm rarely onstage, but in those years just out of college, I got a bit of a reputation for being a damn good stage manager and assistant director.
I like to remind my Music Man that when we met, he was merely a cast member in a community theater production of Oliver! (to date one of my favorites, because that's how we met)…and I was the assistant director/stage manager. Which meant that he had to do what I said.
Unfortunately, that didn't last long. Sigh.
Anyway, there was, of course, much backstage hanky-panky going on–so much so that once he nearly missed his entrance. 
But I digress.
So, because of my involvement with plays, I have my favorites–some of which are ones I've been involved in. Oliver! and Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella in particular. I love Webber's Phantom of the Opera, which should come as no surprise to anyone who hangs around here much, and I really enjoyed Spamalot.
I confess…I have never seen Les Mis, which my editor contends is The Best, and I'm desperate to see Wicked.
So…you?
October 24th, 2007 at 10:02 am
My fav to listen to at home is Chess and I like to watch to Sweeney Todd on DVD. I love Phantom, but I prefer the movie because of Gerard.
October 24th, 2007 at 10:07 am
I love musicals. My all time favorite is Les Miz- seen in it numerous times and still would love to see it again. As soon as the theater darkens and hear the opening strains, I start crying. Seriously.
After that those many more. West Side Story, Fiddler, Guys and Dolls, South Pacific (I love “There Ain’t Nothing Like A Dame”!), ah- Pretty much any Rogers and Hammerstein will do for me!
I have yet to see Phantom, but that’s not as high on my list to see as Wicked and Spamalot! (And surprisingly, I wasn’t real impressed with Cats- course I didn’t see it on Broadway, which I’m sure was a sight to behold!)
October 24th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Les Mis is good, but it is in NO WAY the best. It really only has 5 songs in it and the lyrics get changed like 17 times.
The Producers is a favorite of mine just because of how hilarious it is (I loved the movie before it too). The Who’s TOMMY was amazing to work on and is a phenomenal show! Sooo much good music! Jesus Christ Superstar is another fave (I’m in the group of people who thing Andrew Lloyd Webber has just been going downhill since Superstar) Wicked was good with a creative story and some quality music. Rent is of course THE musical of the 90s. Oh, and hop on the bandwagon now, because Spring Awakening is the best movie of the last few years. Oh! and Altar Boys, a show about a christian boy band out to save souls is HILARIOUS. The music is soooo funny!!
October 24th, 2007 at 10:19 am
I have a ton of favorites: Les Mis of course, but also, Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernell, Joseph and the Amazing….., The Secret Garden, Forever Plaid, The Music Man, Evita, and on and on!
I too am desperate to see Wicked. I think it’s coming to our area next year, so keeping my fingers crossed that it will actually happen!
October 24th, 2007 at 10:49 am
I LOVE musicals! I’ve seen a ton of them. My favorite is probably Grease. But then again, I was a prepubescent girl when the movie came out, so it had a big impact on me. I also adore ABBA, so I love Mamma Mia. I’m going to see the Putnam County Spelling Bee this weekend, and am really looking forward to it! I loved Kiss Me Kate, and also Hairspray.
October 24th, 2007 at 11:21 am
The husband of a friend of mine bought tickets for he and his wife to see Les Mis. He had cancer and his health was failing quickly, so he told her to call me and see if I would go with her. I, who had no desire whatsoever to see this play, hopped on a plane and flew to DC to spend the weekend with her and go to the play…which I fell in LOVE with. So Les Mis always makes me think of Dan, may he rest in peace.
October 24th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I saw Wicked this past weekend and LOVED it. I was worried because I didn’t make it through the book, but the play was a surprising delight!
October 24th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Oh, Chess and Phantom are favorites. Also Hello, Dolly.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Janet I have a similar story with someone close to me who passed away and Les Miz. (But I loved it before then!) It’s not necessarily the music, all though there is that, I love the story.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
I adore Phantom of the Opera but my favorites to have performed in were “Mama I want to sing”, “Little Shop of Horrors”: which is still one of my absolute favorites…and I absolutely loved being in “Dream girls”. Chicago and The Lion King are GREAT to watch…and Wicked Rocks! But yes the first book is hard to get through but the rest of the series is worth it! Give it a go!
October 24th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Sweeney Todd. 100%. Cannibalism and bloody revenge set to MUSIC.
But it has to be George Hern and Angela Lansbury in the 1982 production, not the OBC or the ACK! scaled down revival production.
October 24th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Sweeney Todd! LOVE THAT SHOW…excited and nervous about the Johnny Depp movie version…hope it doesn’t suck.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
I cannot believe I forgot about Grease! That’s one of my favorites too. Thanks for reminding me!
Suey, let’s you and I figure out how to get to Wicked!
Cosmic, I knew you’d have a good list. Thanks for the recs.
Zeek! I was just thinking about you the other day and how I hadn’t been by to your blog for awhile–and here you are. Thanks for stopping by and piping in.
I haven’t seen Sweeney Todd but anything Depp is in, I’m all over.
Ahem.
Jenny! You’re still out there! Are you still blogging everyday?
Holli, must you taunt me with your wonderful weekend????
Thanks all for coming by! Great suggestions and reminders, all.
October 24th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I’ve seen POTO three times on stage — it has to be my all-time favorite. I saw SPAMALOT last winter and it was hysterical. THE PRODUCERS was great and so was THE FULLY MONTY. CATS was different than I expected, though I couldn’t explain why. I saw LES MIZ and, while I agree that it was a wonderful production, I will probably never see it again because it just shattered me. I’ve never seen a production of OLIVER but I think I’d love that!
October 26th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Les Mis is the best, even with the lower echelon cast that is in NYC now. But I cant help loving it