I know I usually start my Ten on Tuesday posts by telling you how I came up with the topic idea but I honestly can’t remember when I thought of this one. I know it was a few weeks ago but I wanted to focus on Thanksgiving themed topics for the last couple of weeks and I just can’t recall why I thought of this. It doesn’t really matter, though, because I think it’s a great topic. Ready? Here are my 10 Favorite Musicals.
- Les Miserables. I’ve seen it on stage 4 times, I think, and I’ve loved it every time. It’s coming back to Boston next spring and I’m very tempted to go again.
- Spamalot. I have never laughed so hard and so continuously as I did the night we went to this show.
- Jesus Christ Superstar. This is another one I have seen and it was fantastic. We always listen to the soundtrack during the Easter season, too.
- Hello, Dolly. I’ve seen a couple of very good high school renditions of this but I have to say I love the movie with Barbra Streisand.
- The Music Man. I’m a librarian, what else do I need to say?
- Wicked. Hannah and I had such a good time when we saw this together and I’m sure that’s influencing my decision to include it on my list of favorites.
- The Sound of Music. I can never resist watching it when it comes on TV and Edelweiss always makes me cry.
- The King and I. I used to watch this one with my mom – I swear it was on every Sunday afternoon – and I loved the costumes so much. Getting to Know You, Shall We Dance, and of course Yul Brynner’s “etcetera, etcetera” all stand out in my mind.
- Grease. The first time I saw this was also the first time I saw Dale. I was 12 and he was 26, which is kind of creepy, but his band was hired to play for the grand opening of the movie at our local theater. When they re-released it for 25th anniversary Dale and I went and took all the kids and had a blast.
- Mary Poppins. She was the original super nanny. And can I just say – my chimney is being cleaned today and I always expect the chimney sweep to sing and dance. He never does but I keep hoping. Chim-chim-che-ree indeed.
And there you have it, my favorite musicals. Now tell me yours.
So many wonderful musicals to choose from! I think my favorite is West Side Story. My oldest daughter did musical theater in high school and everyone she did became a favorite.
My favorite are 8, 9 and 10 for all the same reasons you
stated. Good topic and good list!
oops! I meant 7, 8 and 10. I still watch the Sound of Music
when it comes on the TV.
What a fun topic, Carole! You have a great list — many overlaps with mine, actually. There are so many great musicals. . . you can hardly go wrong!
ohhhh sooo many.
Fiddler on the Roof
Hello Dolly
Yentl
King and I
Brigadoon
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
…just to name a couple. 🙂
Your picture is from one of my favorites..Anything Goes and the beautiful Hope (Hannah) Harcourt.
How to succeed in business without really trying. Saw it in NY when I was 12.
Here are what come to mind: Gigi, Camelot, My Fair Lady, My Fair Lady, South Pacific and Across the Universe. My daughter’s school did an amazing production of Ragtime, but I don’t remember any of the songs.
Hands down, my favorite is Guys and Dolls (Luck be a Lady). And I really like Beauty and the Beast.
Though I will admit to having Grease completely memorized. And Xanadu. Don’t forget Xanadu.
*slinks away in shame*
Hello Dolly … my Dad took me to see it on Broadway, with Pearl Bailey – it was magnificent. Phantom of the Opera was fantastic when we went to see it in Boston. I love many of the ones on your list as well. Gotta love good theater!
My absolute favorite musical is “Sweeney Todd”. I was extrememely fortunate to play Mrs. Lovett (my dream role) in a very good production a few years ago. I tend to be attracted to musicals with dense complicated scores where the songs further the story rather than break up the story. I also tend not to care for revues (with a few exceptions) or “jukebox musicals”.
Man of La Mancha for me and how come The Civil War didn’t make your list?
My Fair Lady, South Pacific — my mother took me to see the shows on stage, I saw all the movies, had all the record albums, knew all the words to all the songs — in short, I was the biggest musical nerd ever. Until high school, when I met another girl who also could recite the whole opening monologue of My Fair Lady. (“Look at her, a prisoner of the gutter………”) And by the way, I am such a fan of stories where the man and woman have met as children (well. one of you was a child) and then remeet and marry. Bridget Jones and Mad About You come to mind.
I couldn’t read any 10 on Tuesday posts today ’til I finished mine… so excited to see what’s on everyone’s list. I LOVE MUSICALS… and I have 15 on Tuesday this week. I see I missed quite a few!! Great topic, Carole. Thanks!!
Good list! I even participated in this one 🙂
I love the picture of Hannah. Is she liking theater in college?
I loved everything on your list! I also love High Society, Singing in the Rain, White Christmas, anything with Gene Kelly, and anything with Doris Day. Now I need to go rent some movies!
What a great topic this week Carole! I’ll be adding several classic musical movies to my Netflix queue after reading everybody’s lists 🙂
Today’s Tuesday?! o.O
My childhood was filled with music and musicals, but (I’m confessing) I no longer a fan of musicals unless they were made before 1963.
I love musicals…I guess i must see Spamalot now. I LOVE Joseph and the dreamcoat….
okay, I did something horrible, and linked wrong, and now it won’t let me make it go away. going to bed now, may not get up for weeks, you’d think after a long weekend I’d be ready for any challenge, but no. I did come up with 10 musicals though 🙂
that’s a great list! (and you’ve seen way more ‘real shows’ than I have) the only one I’d add…and I’m not sure what I’d take away… is jersey boys. we saw that on broadway a few years ago and it was terrific. even sara, who knew maybe one of their songs?, loved it.
Your list was great, Carole…and I loved the various additions of the readers. West Side Story is my all time favorite…I think I know all the lyrics! No one mentioned Oklahoma or Carousel…great memories of belting out “June is Bustin’ Out All Over” in junior high chorus. Haven’t seen Spamalot…must add it to the list.
I like 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Moulin Rouge, Cinderella (all versions), and lots of others. I LOVE musicals!
OMG…forgive the double comment. I just read all the other bloggers’ comments and remembered a bunch of musicals. i thought no one was going to mention Evita– another one where I know all the lyrics. OK! no one mentioned Holiday Inn–great movie with Bing and Fred–plus the first appearance of White Christmas. Carole, you have created a monster. Xoxo. jo
Great list. I started mine but my half written post is still pending. Yet another ooops. One of these days I’ll post again. My list included Hairspray which was fab. Spamalot, Grease and Les Mis were all good. One member of my household is going to see Jersey Boys this weekend – sadly, it isn’t me.
Les Miz, absolutely! I saw it in Cleveland many years ago, and then got to see it again on Broadway. I have the CD and love to sing along!
Yay, Spamalot!