300 Shows: Favorite Original Musicals (Part 2)

As I said last week, one of the greatest pleasures in life for a theater fan is sitting down in a Broadway house excited to see a brand new musical. I've seen hundreds in the past 36 or so years, and that thrill never goes away. What a perfect way to conclude this series!

Thanks for the great response to this series of articles! I appreciate your time, comments and shared stories. And for those of you who asked, my 301st Broadway show was Moulin Rouge!, 302nd was Dear Evan Hansen, and 303rd was Beetlejuice. I'm already 1% into my next 300!

So, without further ado, here are the last 10 of my favorite original musicals in New York Times alphabetical order (the first 10 are HERE).

300 Shows:

Favorite Original Musicals
Part 2

Once (2012)
This quiet little gem had me laughing and all out sobbing. Clever and smart, the book was solid, and the score sublime. Just the other day, I heard "Falling Slowly," and all those feelings came rushing back. What a wonderful rush. Broadway needs more of this. Please.

Side Show (1997)
I can't fully describe just how much I loved this show. But I did. I love that it was both aiming to be a crowd-pleaser and something a little deeper, and I really loved that it was so stylized, and required the audience to engage for the complete experience.

Spring Awakening (2006)
Seeing this show off-Broadway, I just knew it was going to be big. Before the cast became famous, before the acclaim and awards, everyone in the room knew. Truth is, I was a little worried that it wouldn't survive in the bigger world of Broadway. But that concern was for naught. It was just as great, if not better.

Sunset Boulevard (1994)
I might have mentioned this a time or three, but this was the only show I ever saw the matinee, got in line for tickets and saw it again that night. the grand music, the fabulously intriguing and campy story... the mansion, floating down as if from heaven. And the songs, "As If We Never Said Goodbye" (of course), but I also love me some "Let's Have Lunch" and "Every Movie's a Circus."

The Band's Visit (2017)
Quiet and small, but so humanity-verifying. Just what I needed. People just living their lives can be so profound. I found it to be just about perfect. My only real disappointment is that I only got to see it three times. "Welcome to Nowhere" makes me smile, "Papi Hears the Ocean/Haled's Song About Love" makes me laugh, and "Answer Me" just makes me feel alive.

The Full Monty (2000)
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the prospect of seeing the full monty is what got me in the door. But I left with an appreciation for a new composing talent and a new favorite musical. Charming, heartfelt, and, dare I say it, masculine - in all the right ways. Bonus: Andre DeShields, Jason Danieley, Emily Skinner and Annie Golden!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1985)
I have a long history with this show, but that's for another time. The reason this is on the list is simple: I love every single thing about it. Funny, clever, creepy, engaging. Not a bad song in the bunch (even the cut songs are superlative - anyone have a recording of "A Private Investigation" by any chance?). What was so cool was the voting. Remember, this was way before Survivor, American Idol, etc., where choosing a favorite after paying really close attention to the details was unheard of back then.

The Scottsboro Boys (2010)
I can't fully express how grateful I am that I had the chance to witness this brilliant piece of art. Truly, one of the greatest musicals I have ever seen. I look forward to the time when this piece gets its due. If you missed this show, you really missed something special.

The Will Rogers Follies (1991)
On the other end of the spectrum is this splashy, opulent Broadway musical was full of thrilling production numbers, dazzling costumes, great characters and a fantastic old-school score. The production team was full of masters at the top of their game. This is one of those "they don't make 'em like this anymore" shows that I really miss.

Titanic (1997)
I was there during previews - I missed the shows where the boat didn't sink, but I was there when people walked out in droves - but I loved it from the start. Even before Rosie O'Donnell made it cool to love it. The score was a stunner, the script was gripping (despite knowing how it would end!), and the boat sinking was super cool. But here's what I remember vividly: the moment during a tense argument over whether or not first- and second-class passengers should be allowed to mix by the staircase when a drink cart, slowly rolled across the stage. Talk about a reality check.



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300 Shows: Favorite Original Musicals (Part 1)

One of the greatest pleasure of my life is seeing a brand new Broadway musical. Over the 300 unique shows I've seen over the years, nearly two-thirds of them were original productions of musicals. I've been so fortunate to have seen some genuine classics, along with some of the theater's greatest performers, writers and designers. I've also seen some major flops that, nonetheless, also make my list. If seeing shows for 36 years has taught me anything, it is that today's flop can be tomorrow's record-breaking revival. But I digress...

With nearly 200 to choose from, I had a very hard time narrowing this list down to just 20! Today I present you the first ten - listed alphabetically the way the New York Times does it. Later this week, I'll post the other 10. Enjoy!!

300 Shows:

Favorite Original Musicals

 A Chorus Line (1975) 
This musical was honestly life-changing for me. It was the first time in my life, I saw myself. It was the first time I ever saw a gay person portrayed in a show. And while I sobbed along with the rest of the audience during Paul's big speech. But not all of those tears were for him. Most of those tears were for me. Tears of joy, of relief. Of feeling, for the first time, that I was not alone. Representation really does matter.

 

American Psycho (2016)
I know what you are thinking. No, I am not crazy. It was brilliant and exhilarating. And it never held back once. I still ponder whether or not anything that we saw happened. Sleek. Sexy. Scathing.

Blood Brothers (1993)
Stylized melodrama, sure. But boy does it pack a wallop! This Anglophile loved every minute of it. I saw it many, many times, and each cast brought something special to this tragic story, including the amazing original cast. But my favorite company was headed by Petula Clark, David and Shaun Cassidy. I cried so hard one time, I made noise. Embarrassing, but heartfelt.

Fosse (1999)
The name says it all. He is probably my favorite director, and he is definitely my favorite choreographer. The genius of Bob Fosse was on full display, and it was thrilling from start to finish. I miss the man.

Fun Home (2015)
It was satisfying at the Public Theater. It was a radiant wonder at the Circle in the Square. And the cast was perfection. That Michael Cerveris and Judy Kuhn were brilliant wasn't a surprise, but being introduced to three gifted actresses in one show was a blessing. Three Alisons - Beth Malone, Emily Skeggs and Sydney Lucas were perfection (as were all of the cast replacements across the board, frankly). Even as great as the cast was, the quality of the book and score was off the charts. And the source material is a masterpiece of its genre. I found a hero in Alison Bechdel.

Grand Hotel: The Musical (1989)
There hasn't been another musical since that so tightly integrated concept, movement and storytelling. It literally never stopped. Tommy Tune is a master, and his absence is sorely missed. Surely I can't be the only who sees new shows and wonders what it would look like if they had let Tune get his hands on it, am I?

Hadestown (2019)
Sure, this is the new kid on the block and it is fresh in my mind, but really, this show is everything that a musical can be. The enormity of what it is saying, and the artistry in the way it is told is the rarest of rare in musical theater. It is that illusive show that one hopes for every time the curtain rises on a new show. Swept away for the entire time, I'm not entirely sure that whole world didn't melt away while I was at the Walter Kerr. Let Rachel Chavkin have a long career of making this art form, and, theater gods, please send Anaïs Mitchell another muse. Soon.

Jerome Robbins' Broadway (1989)
This was a celebration of the genius who brought many of the greatest musicals of all time. To witness the entire West Side Story suite of dances choreographed by the man who created it was a true privilege. The cast was huge, the production was huge, and it was historic. The called it "The Musical of Musicals," true as that is, it was so much more. There will never be another show like this one.

Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993)
Kander and Ebb never shied away from tough topics, it's difficult to imagine making a musical about political prisoners, torture, and a fantasy life straight off the silver screen was at all easy. I remember walking out of the Broadhurst mouth agape and stunned by what I had just seen. And I felt that way all seven times I saw it.

Next to Normal (2009)
This used to be called Feeling Electric, and while it was probably a smart choice to change it, it certainly describes the feeling this Pulitzer Prize winner gives me. If I were going to name my all-time favorite show, this would definitely be in contention.







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300 Shows: My Favorite Plays

There are a variety of reasons why, out of 300 different Broadway shows only 35 were new plays. One reason it isn't is be cause I don't like plays. I do. Narrowing them down to just ten was a challenge. As you'll see, I love a variety of plays: those that require an imagination, serious drama, slapstick comedy. The one thing all of these have in common is the playwright and creative team's the ability to transport me in ways that can't be found in any other medium.

10 FAVORITE PLAYS (Alphabetically)

Brief Encounter (2010)
Lush and romantic. And a little wacky (see above). This play was visually stunning - the use of projections and how the actors interacted with them is something I haven't seen since. The cast was superlative as well.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1 and 2 (2018)
I have a strong feeling that I'd have loved this play even if I wasn't already a Harry Potter fan. Talk about transporting! I don't think I breathed the entire time. Sure there were some great special effects (I will #keepthesecrets on the specifics), but everything about this was, well, magical. The acting, the staging, the epic nature of the story balanced with the smaller, very human moments brought this to a whole new level.

M. Butterfly (1988)
What I remember most about this play was the stunning (and Tony-winning) performance of B.D. Wong. He was simply breathtaking - I couldn't take my eyes off of him. This production also kindled my love for stylized staging. Truly one of my favorite productions of all time, of any genre. 30+ years later, I still think about it. That's powerful stuff.

Moon Over Buffalo (1995)
My stomach hurt by the time this was all over. The great Phillip Bosco and the great Carol Burnett were a one-two punch not to be believed. There were brilliant bits of physical comedy, gut-busting line readings, and best of all, plenty of heart. We need more plays like this. Just a lot of fun.

Peter and the Starcatcher (2012)
As I've mentioned many times before, I love just about all things Peter Pan. This play gave me all the feels and and hit me right in my Lost Boys soul. The childlike wonder of the script, the playful staging, and the creative staging all added up to create an experience that is truly only able to be done in live theater. It's shows like this that make theater my medium of choice.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (2014)
This play is brilliant on all levels. The perfect union of technical elements, story, theme and performance. I saw the amazing performance of Taylor Trensch, and felt like I could see inside young Christopher's troubled mind. The visual elements were perfection, but honestly, the humanity of this special play are what have stayed with me.

To Kill a Mockingbird (2018)
I was hesitant to put this play on this list, fearing that maybe it is only because it is so fresh in my mind. But I really thought about it, and I truly loved this piece. First of all, it is based on one of my three favorite novels of all time, and I was skeptical that it would do Harper Lee's masterwork justice (I've never see the film to compare that, either). But somehow, Aaron Sorkin more than did it justice. And what a thrilling cast to bring it to life - Jeff Daniels, Will Pullen, and the never better Gideon Glick as Dill, and the glorious Tony-winning turn by a transcendent Celia Keenan-Bolger. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (2013)
Christopher Durang isn't normally my cup of tea, but I simply adored every single second of it. Was it that epic monologue delivered with just skill by David Hyde Pierce? Was it the screwball meathead sexiness of Billy Magnuson? Or was it the perfection of Durang's muse Sigourney Weaver? All of the above, really.

Venus in Fur (2011)
Sexy, edge-of-your-seat thrilling, complicated and simple all at once, this play was a wild ride and a masterclass in acting. Nina Arianda gave one of those performances people will talk about for years. And Hugh Dancy. What a pair.  I'd love to see them in a new play together again!

War Horse (2011)
As I was walking out of the theater after this play, I remember that my mouth was bone dry. I realized that was because my mouth was agape for 2+ hours straight. My cheeks, on the other hand, were wet with tears. Who knew a life-sized horse puppet could break my heart? So epic!







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