Honorable Mentions- Chicago, The Pajama Game, Spring Awakening, The Producers
10. Hairspray-
The one that started it all. My first broadway show just over 3 years ago. Great music, great story. Hairspray is one of the all-around quintessential musicals that is always great no matter the time and place. It will be interesting to see how many years pass before it is revived.
9. Hair-
Hair makes the list because I really didn't know how much I would enjoy it when I recently won the lottery. I had never really gotten into the whole hippie thing, but I did enjoy much of the music, and 'Hair' the title song, was one of my favorites. So, I figured, why not, I have yet to find a broadway show I didn't like. (OK, that is a bold faced lie, I HATE CATS and Avenue Q, but we will save those rants for a rainy day) Well, needless to say, I LOVED IT. What a classic. The music was fantastic, the show was constantly entertaining, even though I didn't think it had much of a plot, I still found myself loving all the characters. I would love to go see it again now that I know what to expect.
8. Spamalot-
not much to say about Spamalot other than the songs are ridiculously catchy and the entire show is HILARIOUS. It is impossible not to have a great time at this show. simple as that.
7. 9 to 5-
omg nothing makes me sadder than the fact that this show is considered a 'flop'. My honest opinion is that it simply fell victim to a phenomenal season of broadway. Last summer, over 10 shows were grossing over $1 million, lots of them long-runners and 9to5 couldnt get enough word of mouth going to attract a wide enough audience. Its a pity. I was lucky enough to get up there soon after the closing announcement came. It had all the right things a musical should have. Great Characters, humor, emotion, and a great score. I hope Dolly isn't too discouraged because she did an excellent job writing those songs. Also, the cast was amazing. I can't wait to see the tour, but it will be hard to fill the shoes of Megan Hilty, Allison Janney, Marc Kudisch, and especially Stephanie J. Block...but we shall see! :)
6. Promises, Promises-
read my review a couple of posts ago. Just a great show featuring great people. Sean Hayes, Katie Finneran, and Kristin Chenoweth made it a special night in theatre.
5. Thoroughly Modern Millie and Legally Blonde are tied.
Thoroughly Modern Millie- my own personal fairy tale. Girl moves to the big city looking for a nice rich man to marry, finds true love instead with a poor man, and in the end he turns out to be rich! Girls always dream of finding a nice wealthy man, don't judge me. Again, the music is excellent, and the story is truly touching. I really love the dynamic between Millie and Jimmy throughout the show too, I think that is very important, which brings me to...
Legally Blonde- based off of one of my favorite movies, I was very skeptical of this show being able to do justice to the movie. Turns out, they made it even better! I love the character development of Emmett and his relationship with Elle. This was made even more prominent with the palpable chemistry between Christian Borle and Laura Bell Bundy. They were really able to sell that relationship. Its really a no brainer since they started dating in real life. Plus, my friends call me Elle Woods anyway, so its natural that I would worship this show and all its pink and glitter.
4. The Little Mermaid-
my favorite movie as a child turned into a real-life experience. who could argue? as a matter of fact, the show was larger than life. when the curtain rose to reveal the huge ship in act one, I was so moved. I LOVED the mermaid costumes, even though many would disagree. I thought they really worked. All of the songs are classic disney masterpieces, and the ones they added are just as magical as the original.
3. Next to Normal-
This show goes right for the heart. What a moving piece of the theatre. I am so glad that it won the pullitzer. Not saying I called it or anything, but when I saw that the committee was picking the award for drama the next day on playbill.com, I read the article to see if perhaps N2N had been nominated. I was disappointed to see that it wasnt. The next day, guess who won. :) People have complained, but if you don't cry at this show, you have no soul. Its that powerful. So I believe it deserves such high honor. And even though I was rooting for 9to5 at the time of the Tonys last year, now I completely agree with their best score award. The cast recording is beautiful. I dont think I have ever fallen in love with a song as fast as I fell in love with "Everything Else" or "Superboy and the Invisible Girl" or "Light"
2. A Chorus Line- another classic. It has just the right balance of humor and emotion. The dancing is amazing and iconic. I would kill to play Val. Dance 10 Looks 3 is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time. I love all the ups and downs of the show and the end, when the dancers are hired, is so tense almost as if you were up on that stage with them. Even though its not in the top spot, I do think it is the most brilliantly crafted piece of musical theatre. Brava, Michael Bennett.
and now the top spot....
1. WICKED duh. great characters, great story, great costumes, great set, beautiful score. I could watch it everyday and never get tired of it. Thank Goodness is probably my favorite song. period. followed very closely by every other song in the show. I could go on all day...It will always be the show all others pale in comparison. pure magic. There is nothing I wouldnt do to play Galinda one day.
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