best musical ever??

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 7:00 pm

Sat here headphones on asking myself what are the best musicals ever.
My favorite's are ,

Les mis
Phantom
South pacific

Kibkomers what are yours?

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 7:06 pm

Just to widen it including the music from films.
Last of the Mohicans
Music from enya

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 7:36 pm

West Side story gets my vote. Saw it on stage and on film, and the music lingers on. Bernstein was a great composer!

As to its popularity 'Who knows, could be..... it's only just out of reach, ....................."

jen · Post by **jen** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 7:42 pm

Les Mis
Lion King
We will rock you
Diverse I know, each for different moods, different reasons, thats what musics about huh?

jofra · Post by **jofra** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 8:07 pm

Hair!

Lovelife · Post by **Lovelife** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 8:17 pm

in no particular order

Singing in the Rain
Les Miserables
Phantom
High Society

LL

metin · Post by **metin** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 8:28 pm

Evita.
Les Mis
Phantom
Sound Of Music,
The King and I
West Side Story

sorry so many.........just can't choose only one !!!!

teatime · Post by **teatime** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 8:31 pm

Les Mis
Mama Mia
Oliver

silverfir · Post by **silverfir** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 9:00 pm

Marions, must agree with you. Bernstein and Sondheim were outstanding, but you never know `Somewhere` in `America` maybe there it can be bettered. Surprised nobody has included Singing in the Rain. Well they have now of course

Marions · Post by **Marions** » Tue 19 Aug 2014 9:26 pm

Having said that, what about My Fair Lady. ? But much as I loved it - the music has not (for me) got the same depth as Bernstein. And yes, maybe 'Somewhere' there is a better choice, but probably not to be revealed 'Tonight' .

But maybe it is the stories that grab our hearts as well as the music . West Side Story, or as my musicians friends used to so rudely call it 'Breast Side Story', was a modern Romeo and Julie,t and My Fair Lady was the making of a silk purse out of a sow's ear - all fairy story stuff really.

But then, O., Les Mis (and going back my mother adored 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' - so how far back do you go.

Retired · Post by **Retired** » Wed 20 Aug 2014 7:36 am

I'm going back a long time Marion also...I can remember as a little girl seeing The Student Prince with Mum..some lovely music in that one and sung by Mario Lanza, who was a favourite of hers.

Carousel had some great music in it.that's where You'll Never Walk Alone came from. Oklahoma springs to mind also.

Saw a great one a few months ago..Ghosts..a musical version of the movie with Partick Swazey and Demi Moore..really modern take on it.

My favourite of "recent" years though has to be Les Mis.

stellasstar1 · Post by **stellasstar1** » Wed 20 Aug 2014 8:23 am

Surprised with all the animal lovers, no one has mentioned Cats. I've seen it 5 times , right from the beginning with Wayne Sleep, fantastic, and of course Phantom (seen 3 times). Lots of others of course, but they were my favourites, and going back a bit, was Hair, saw it in London in either 1969 or 1970, can't remember, but was original London cast. I do remember being in the 2nd row and naked people coming off the stage and crawling over the rows, - couldn't believe my eyes. !

the butlers wife · Post by **the butlers wife** » Wed 20 Aug 2014 8:51 am

Having worked in London before retiring I was privilaged to see most of the musicals in the West End. I used to go to Leicester Square most Saturday mornings to the half price ticket booths and get what tickets were available on that day. the only musical I didn't see was Lion King. Phantom is still my favourite, I can watch it again and again and I listen to the music whenever I can. I wish there were more musicals in Cyprus especially in the winter months. I am also a lover of folk music but have failed to find a club here. If anyone knows of one please let me know.

The butlers wife

frontalman · Post by **frontalman** » Wed 20 Aug 2014 11:38 am

It's got to be The King And I - der der der der der der d-dut der der d-dut d-dut der der, dut dut der der, derr der, d-dut der der-err (etc).

fatouche · Post by **fatouche** » Wed 20 Aug 2014 11:41 am

Les Miserables, Chicago, Blood Brothers, Singing in the Rain, Oliver.

muffin · Post by **muffin** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 6:45 am

The Abba musical was amazing - the whole audience stood and clapped along to the songs.

elizabeth · Post by **elizabeth** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 9:29 am

Les Miserables
Phantom
The Student Prince ( an oldie but a goodie)

johnerebus · Post by **johnerebus** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 10:18 am

The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Still touring a lot of countries after all these years and people still dress as characters from it when they see it. "Let's do the Time Warp Again"

topten · Post by **topten** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 10:42 am

Jungle Book fab

JBA · Post by **JBA** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 11:30 am

Les Mis is top of my list and I've seen it several times with several casts although Susan Boyle's version of 'I Dreamed A Dream' (for Britains Got Talent) was the best version I ever heard.

I also agree with many other suggestions .... but nobody has mentioned Jesus Christ Superstar which has some very powerful music. The recent stage revival in London was was panned by the critics and I thought some of the production was over the top, but the singing was great and that surely is what it's really about.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 12:02 pm

I think I was put off musicals when I was just a teenager, was taken in London to see the Flower Drum Song. Can't remember a single song from it!! but know I was bord. I liked the films of the King and I and also South Pacific, but not seen much else. Tin hat going on!!

silverfir · Post by **silverfir** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 12:12 pm

Owl Lady, no need for the tin hat, but many of these great musicals will be available on DVD. Go on, treat yourself. Might need a box of tissues handy for some of them!

sophie · Post by **sophie** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 1:16 pm

I love most musicals (and adore Les Mis - NOT the film version - I always feel Les Mis is almost operatic and not a musical) just my feeling not everyone has to agree!! Having said that I loved American in Paris, Mack and Mabel (vastly underrated but beloved of Torvil and Dean). Never could get into South Pacific, Oklahoma or 7 Brides for 7 Brothers though. Plus just about everything with Fred Astaire, Sammy Davis Jnr or Barbra Streisand in it.

Owl Lady · Post by **Owl Lady** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 2:45 pm

I forgot to mention, with a friend I tried to watch the DVD of Mama Mia, fell asleep twice on different occasions!!

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 3:22 pm

Dependswhether you are judging on the music, photography or stars!

I would go for My Fair Lady (taken fairly direct from Shaw's Pygmalion btw) plus Gigi (for Maurice Chevalier) and White Christmas (for the title song) and add to show my age "Annie Get your Gun".

Anything with Noel Coward in it, though Im not sure he did musicals as such.

Perhaps we could press for a music night with songs from the shows : I have a couple of CDs I could contribute.

topten · Post by **topten** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 4:59 pm

Ragged Robin wrote:Dependswhether you are judging on the music, photography or stars!

I would go for My Fair Lady (taken fairly direct from Shaw's Pygmalion btw) plus Gigi (for Maurice Chevalier) and White Christmas (for the title song) and add to show my age "Annie Get your Gun".

Anything with Noel Coward in it, though Im not sure he did musicals as such.

Perhaps we could press for a music night with songs from the shows : I have a couple of CDs I could contribute.

If your going into music nights what about a themed night ie `The War Years` Glenn Miller and other wartime songs brilliant

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 5:14 pm

Some marvalous suggestions from the musicals but how about music from the films.
Ennio marricone, what a genious.
For those who love his music and enjoy a laugh, google the spaghetti western orchestra.
A superb Australian band.
An american superstar who wrote many memorable tunes including e.t star wars, Schindlers list, harry potter the book thief!
And who remembers Gilligan's island?????

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 5:17 pm

Sorry sorry
Missed the name of john Williams out on my last post!!!!!!
Now it may make sense

Hippocampus · Post by **Hippocampus** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 5:28 pm

Nobody has mentioned Oklahoma or GiGi! Happy childhood memories for me. Used to (and still do) love singing along to Oklahoma. But the chap singing "Thank Heavens for little girls" left me a little uncomfortable although I didn't know why. Would probably be banned these days.

And what about the Wizard of OZ?

Ragged Robin · Post by **Ragged Robin** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 6:27 pm

Yes they did. I mentioned Gigi and I am sure someone else mentioned Oklahomo. Pity what you say about Gigi oh the loss of innocence! But its "I remember it well" that rings bells with me these days.

rosiesmidge · Post by **rosiesmidge** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 9:57 pm

My favourite Meet me in St Louis, Judy Garland was wonderful in it

jofra · Post by **jofra** » Thu 21 Aug 2014 10:23 pm

No votes for -
Technicolour Dreamcoat
Evita
Chess
Miss Saigon
Fiddler on the roof
........?

stellasstar1 · Post by **stellasstar1** » Fri 22 Aug 2014 7:06 am

I forgot to mention Grease (the show not film), that was a real foot-tapper. That was in, the early 70's. For all you Phantom fans, it will be coming to Istanbul for a special short period in either March or April next year (I've forgotten which). My friend is a choreographer for Phantom, and there's a special cast that is doing a world tour at the moment, and plan to be in Instanbul for one of it's stops.

metin · Post by **metin** » Fri 22 Aug 2014 4:04 pm

Keep me informed would love to see that in Istanbul, I am sure I could combine it with a shopping trip !!!

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Sat 23 Aug 2014 10:35 am

Stellastar1

As / metins post keep us informed of the date please.

One little question................it will be performed in English???

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Sat 23 Aug 2014 1:04 pm

Hi stellastar

Just a thought.

For all phantom lovers in north Cyprus, should we all jet off together to Istanbul.

I am free!

Other post best comedy, no one has mentioned " are you being served"

Snoopy · Post by **Snoopy** » Tue 26 Aug 2014 8:00 am

It has to be Les Mis. I have seen it nine times , still cry and yes I want to go and see it again and again!

muffin · Post by **muffin** » Tue 26 Aug 2014 8:03 am

What about Kiss Me Kate? Some great songs in this

Retired · Post by **Retired** » Tue 26 Aug 2014 8:40 am

Yes Muffin, Mum used to sing some of the songs to Kiss Me Kate, but can't bring them to mind right now. Didn't they resurrected it recently in the West End?

Saw John Williams mentioned earlier. Four years ago I was living in Kuala Lumpur and went to an evening where the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra performed music for musicals composed by John Williams..an amazing evening

stellasstar1 · Post by **stellasstar1** » Tue 26 Aug 2014 8:57 am

Yes when Phantom comes to Istanbul it will be in English, as the cast members that are performing are travelling the world with it, and not changing language in each country, as that would be too difficult. A joint trip sounds great.

Hedge-fund · Post by **Hedge-fund** » Tue 26 Aug 2014 9:31 am

Oliver! - no more needs to be said.

Les Miserables is like watching allo allo! but with singing.

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Tue 26 Aug 2014 3:07 pm

Hedge fund, Hedge fund please.......
Oliver was good, in fact very good but Led Mis is a masterpiece.

thornaby · Post by **thornaby** » Tue 26 Aug 2014 3:13 pm

Snoopy,
I know what you say about Les Mis making you cry.
Some may say that Russell Crowes voice in the film version made everyone cry!
I read some where of the load of money that had been spent tutoring Russell to "sing".
One reply was that it was money well spent!
I for one didn't bethink his performance was bad.
Really enjoyed the film version.

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