"Into the Woods"
I love how the songs are not repetitive and they actually move the story along.
I lovedlovedloved "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" with Debbie Reynolds and Harve Presnell. Definitely on my top ten list. But the absolute best of all time? Just too hard to call.
The Sound of Music and the King and I. After that, The West Side Story and Singing in the Rain.
I would say, uncontestably, The Sound of Music.
I think most of us that saw Sound of Music for the very first time had the same reaction to that opening scene; we shivered - it was so beautiful.
sound of music #1
West Side Story #2
ci....good to see you again, yes, that opening scene and the clarity and purity of Julie Andrew's voice.....one in a century....
I like your choices willlow_tl
I allso enjoyed Cabaret, All that Jazz, and Chicago but was not won over by the odd mixing of modern and old songs in Moulin Rouge.
Hi shepaints, Nice to see you too!
shepaints: thanks...Chicago was grand...and may be my #4...but Moulin Rouge is definitely # 3...:-)
one that i loathe is My Fair Lady...when she screams "Poppies...Poppies for sale..i cringe!
Love the king and i too.
omg willow.... My fair Lady is now my No 2,
then WWS, No 3
I have a special affinity for the King and I, because our sons were in a high school production of the King and I when we lived in Naperville, IL. They used the costumes from the original NY production.
SHOWBOAT - 1927
A landmark musical. The music and songs are exceptonal.
First piece of theatre to show black people in a favorable light. Not as servants or comedic characters.
WESTSIDE STORY
Another landmark musical. Driven by the power of Romeo and Juliet, it made serious material (a tragic story and a killing on stage) acceptable. A far cry from the genre "musical comedy."
Also, the plot of Westside is developed in the lyrics and songs, not in narration.
"Singing in the rain has been named often as the best Musical ever made.
it is incomparable!
Best Musicals
Hands down, my #1 favorite musical is Singing in the Rain- I've loved this movie since I was 5 or 6 years old. West Side story is definately a close second......
And I'm with you Bohne- how can you not LOVE Mary Poppins?!
Nobody mentioned any of the Disney classics, and I don't recall reading a mention of Grease (the first one of course). Wow.
Did anyone mention Gypsy with Roz Russell? Or Mame, again with Ms. Russell? 2 more of my favs.
Les Miserables......... oh..... what a musical....the best, for moi
of course, I'm kinda a von Trapp gal... oh.......... don't even get me started!
<The Hills are alive with the sound of Muuuuuuuuuuusic> <runs over, grabs some edelweiss.....>
@Izzie,
Izzie, I will duet with you on
So Long, Farewell ....
I love that this ole topic still has legs!
@jespah,
Oh........ Jes..... Ima singing "Joseph - Any Dream Will Do" at the moment.... Ha... so badly too!
LOVE that musical - gotta get to see it in the West End! So much to do, so little time - HA!
