What are the BEST MUSICALS? (Please explain what each is about!)?

Question

I like:

Les Miserables- About love/war and a lot of other stuff during the French Revolution and has BEAUTIFUL music!

Phantom of the Opera- A phantom who is haunting the Opera House falls in love with a singer/dancer named Christine. Again, Amazing music!

Wicked- What happened in Oz before Dorothy. About the friendship between Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba). Great Music!

1776- What do you think? Its about the Declaration of the Independence and the movie stars William Daniels who played Mr. FEENY! Very funny!

Evita- The Story of Argentina's First Lady Eva Peron. The story is similar to Princess Diana. Wonderful music!

Jesus Christ Superstar- About Jesus of course!

I highly recommend all of them to everyone!

I REALLY don't like Rent or High School Musical (which shouldn't be counted as a musical really). I don't like their music or stories.

Answer 1

everyone has brought up some really good ones, here are some others I feel need coverage:

Jekyll and Hyde - based on the novel, split personality - one evil who goes on a murder rampage the other is dr. jekyll - they both struggle with love (sweet Emma or seductive Lucy) and struggle within, amazing music.

Lippa's The Wild Party - Queenie is in a violent relationship with Burrs, and decides to start something up by making him jealous with a new face (Black) at a party - when all h**l breaks loose and she falls in love with Black (Idina Menzel plays Kate, Julia Murney, Taye Diggs, Brian D'Arcy James - AMAZING MUSIC)

Sweeney Todd - the musical, not the movie - revenge-stricken barber kills men, practicing his ultimate revenge on the man who stole his life - Mrs. Lovette serves the murdered men as meat pies to the skum of London - I would suggest the original or revival - both are brilliant, although I find the revival a little more brutally amazing - all the actors play the instruments while performing

Chess - politics are brought on the game when Russian player falls in love with his opponent (an american)'s second and love interest. AMAZING music as well, songs like "Anthem" and "Nobody's on Nobody's Side" - in the midst of the post Cold War - betrayal and playing games with people's lives and emotions

Answer 2

I love "Annie Get Your Gun" about Annie Oakley because it is so upbeat and weird and the movie version is perfectly acted, plus there a ton of great songs (Anything You Can Do...)

Also, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a personal favorite that I thought I would hate because it's about a botched gender-change operation. It's a rock musical and again, the music blows me away.

I'm not a fan of Jesus Christ Superstar- I like Hair (same generation) and the music from Godspell.

When I was younger, I acted in Free to be...You and Me and really enjoyed it. The songs are cute and fun for young people, though hippy-ish and pretty goofy.

Answer 3

Dunno:

Mack and Mabel- director falls in love with young actress. set in 1920's

Bugsy Malone- ganster musical with a cast of entirely kiddies.

Answer 4

West Side Story-Romeo and Juliet set in 50's NYC

Little Shop of Horrors-A camp show about a man eating plant determined to wipe out the human race.

Sweeney Todd-A half mad barber h**l-bent on revenge

A Chorus Line-An audition that shows the life of people trying to have the job they love. Hits home with theatre people and ha great dancing

Gypsy-Story of Mama Rose-the end all to be all stage moms

Into the Woods-What happens to some of the most beloved fairy tale characters after "happily ever after"

Godspell-the book of Mathew set and is set to 70's style songs. I personally like this better than JCS.

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown-A day in the life of the Peanuts characters

Answer 5

Wicked!!!!!!!!!

Legally Blonde: Kinda self explanatory

Cry Baby: A fifties musical about cliques merging (bad boy+ good girl= love)

Answer 6

Good choices so far!  Les Miz is my favorite!  Also tho...

West Side Story - the Sharks and the Jets - cool, real cool!

Man of La Mancha - The Inquizition faces the Impossible

Dream

Flower Drum song - has my favorite musical song ever, well almost! (otherwise not the best one around)

Answer 7

Blood Brothers - I saw it when I went to London, it's only performed in the UK though. It's about twin brothers separated at birth.

Alice in Wonderland - Dumb, I know. But it was a great play to be in at my school. People seemed to enjoy it.

Spamalot - Another one I saw in London. Super funny if you like Monty Python. King Arthur's search for the Holy Grail.

Answer 8

Legally Blonde the Musical: basically follows the plot of the movie with a smart blonde following her ex boyfriend to harvard law, only to discover she can achieve great things on her own - The music is very catchy and upbeat, Laura Bell Bundy plays the role of Elle wonderfully, the entire show is tons of fun!

Hairspray: story of an overweight teen who dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins show - once again an upbeat musical with great songs!