Best Broadway Musicals of All Time
May 16, 2012 4:05 pm
Would you love to live in a world where people break out into song every few minutes? That world exists in the realm of musical theatre and you can access it for the price of a theater ticket (or CD, DVD, or iTunes Album, for that matter). Here are five of the most popular and celebrated Broadway Musicals ever created, certain to have you singing and dancing down the street:
My Fair Lady
When this dazzling musical debuted on Broadway in 1956, it was an instant hit and became the longest running musical in Broadway history. Following that, My Fair Lady ran as a hit for a long time in the London theatre world, was rendered in a successful film version, and underwent many revivals. The story follows a cockney street vendor named Eliza Doolittle who takes speech lessons from a phoneticist named Henry Higgins so that she can pass as an upper class lady. The charm of the characters and story, combined with the unforgettable music of Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Lerner, make My Fair Lady an absolute must-see musical.
Oklahoma
This stunningly beautiful musical by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II became a roaring success after it debuted on Broadway in 1943. It ran for an unprecedented number of performances and went on to many successful revivals and national tours. In 1955, the film adaptation of the play earned an Academy Award. The plot centers around the story of a cowboy named Curly McClain and his romance with a farm girl named Laury Williams. The show’s impeccably crafted story and indelible songs earned Rodgers and Hammerstein a Pulitzer Prize in the category of “Special Awards And Citations” in 1944.
West Side Story
This unforgettable musical features music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It debuted on Broadway in 1957 to great fan-fare, receiving multiple Tony nominations and subsequently embarking on a hugely successful national tour. 1961, a movie-version of West Side Story achieved unprecedented glory for an on-screen adaption of a musical, winning ten Academy Awards out of eleven nominations. The narrative focuses on a love story that springs up amongst a strong rivalry between two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The musical’s exploration of social issues remains as potent today as when it first came out.
Guys And Dolls
This rollicking musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser debuted on Broadway in 1950 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Since then, it has had many successful Broadway and London revivals and was adapted into a popular movie in 1955 starring Marlon Brando. In 1951, Guys And Dolls was selected as the winner of the 1951 Pulitzer Prize for Drama (though, for political reasons surrounding the status of one of the writers, the selection was eventually vetoed). The plot follows the hijinks, high-rolling gambling games, romances, scams, and interactions of a group of tough New York City characters. The lively, witty, brilliantly arranged songs will remain in your head long after the last act has finished.
The Music Man
This masterful musical owes its book, music, and lyrics all to one creator – Meredith Wilson. The show debuted on Broadway in 1957 and became a hit, garnering five Tony Awards, including the coveted Best Musical Award. Subsequently, the cast album won a Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album. Since it’s inception, the show has enjoyed many successful revivals and tours all over the world, as well as being adapted into popular film in 1962. The story follows a con man Harold Hill who tires to scam people in a small town by selling them band instruments; in the process, he becomes romantically entangled with a librarian named Marian. The clever plot, memorable romance, and catchy songs continue to entertain audiences all over the world.
Category: Miscellaneous Tags: Broadway, Musicals, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!
