Admittedly, I would never even think of writing anything about musicals on my alcohol blog. But after losing a ridiculous bet, in which the Goo Goo Dolls were referred to as a "Rock and Roll" "band", I decided that I'd relish the chance to tackle the stage. Why? Well, if nothing else than to prove that I can make something I know nothing about seem like The Second Coming of Christ in blog form. No Use in wasting time. Let's get to the 10 Most Influential Stage Musicals of the 20th Century Onwards.
10. RENT
First Staged: April 29, 1996 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: 5,124
Influence: Besides "Seasons of Love" becoming a big hit outside the music, the cultural impact of Rent is substantial. Dealing with controversial themes such as AIDS, homosexuality, and being a snobby New York artist, it was controversial from the onset. With it's cheap ticket prices, catchy music, and taboo themes, it become very popular among youngsters, ushering a generation's worth of love for musical theatre that likely wouldn't have been obtained otherwise. But I will forever dislike it for influencing my Catholic High School to make everyone sing "Seasons of Love" at the end of every mass.
9. Les Miserables
First Staged: 1980 (Paris)
Shows Performed: 6,680 (not including revival)
Influence: This historical fiction wonder has spurned out popular songs like "I Dreamed a Dream" and "On My Own," which I hear are quite beautiful. Even though French people suck, a good tale of redemption is welcome as long as some French people die. There are no spoken lines in this musical, every line of dialogue is sung. How annoying would that be in real life? "Honey, I forgot the keyssssss!" The French Revolution is one of the most interesting topic in history, and the fact the a musical about it became so popular is quite something.
8. Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
First Staged: April 1968 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: At least 4,000, including revivals.
Influence: This one is quite the controversial one. It began the genre of "rock-musicals," used a racially integrated cast, and invited the audience on stage for the ending. It's hippie-counter cultural themes (Like smoking weed and not working) and music made it extremely popular in an anti-Vietnam America, even having a few of its songs used as protest songs. Profanity, sex, drugs, degradation of the American flag, and nudity? Count me in! "Hair" quite simply came out at the perfect time, with the perfect topic.
7. South Pacific
First Staged: April 7, 1949 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: At least 5,000 but probably many more. It was hard to find an exact number. There were a ton of revivals.
Influence: I'm assuming this about the South Pacific island during World War II when they were getting capped and bombed and crap but I don't feel like reading about it. So what I'll tell you is this: it's the only musical to ever win all 4 acting Tony's. Most of it's songs have become worldwide standards and it is one of the best reviewed musicals to ever grace the magnificent stage.
6. Fiddler On the Roof
First Staged: September 22, 1964 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: 3, 242 (Not including revivals)
Influence: Being a Jew in Russia is probably STILL tough, so I can't imagine it in 1905. Being one of the only ones on the list I've actually seen, and fallen asleep to, you'd think I'd know more about it. Well, the only thing I remember really is that "I'm a rich man..." song. But from what I read, it is one of the highest selling and best reviewed musicals ever. It's spawned a successful film adaptation and is known around the world. Except Russia, I presume. And any musical that supports anti-Russian sentiment is OK by me.
5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
First Staged: March 1, 1979 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: Including revivals, around 1,000
Influence: This thriller was interesting in that it's such a bloody, angry, but somehow catchy musical. I'm thinking that's how it got so popular. It probably has the best premise for any musical on this list, as murder, revenge, and characters with a great deal of mystique are already interesting. Throw in catchy music and you might just be onto something! Coupled with a decent film, Sweeney Todd is unlike anything else on this list and that's precisely the reason it's on here.
4. Cabaret
First Staged: November 20, 1966 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: Around 4,000 (including revivals)
Influence: "Life is a Cabaret, old chum." Indeed. A racy play that wasn't afraid to delve into the issues, "Cabaret" was about more than just dancing. Set in Pre-WWII Germany, it's about a romance between a American writer and a British dancer in the Kit Kat Klub. Now, I've also seen this one, although it was a college performance, and I quite liked it. The music is snappy and perfect for the subject matter, and would be controversial for the 60s. The club plays a good metaphor for the state of the country at the time, and it really is heartbreaking at times. So...yeah, that's why it's here.
3. My Fair Lady
First Staged: March 15, 1956 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: Close to 5,000 (not including revivals)
Influence: Many refer to My Fair Lady as "the perfect musical" and I'm hard pressed to disagree, since I haven't seen it, nor do I know a lick about it. Turning Eliza Doolitle into a lady captured the hearts and ears of many viewers, smashing box-office records and redefining the musical. Plus, tons of its songs have grown to be part of popular culture, as well as their own Wikipedia pages. Critics throughout the ages have praised it continuously without fail. My Fair Lady? More like My OUTSTANDING Lady! Ugh. Moving on....
2. West Side Story
First Staged: September 27, 1957 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: Over 2,000 (not including revivals)
Influence: By far the most recognized and imitated musical of all-time, West Side Story is perhaps the most iconic musical there is. It truly brought about a turning point in American theatre. With it's dark themes, complicated songs and dance numbers, and, most of all, it's focus on social problems were extremely new concepts for the theatre going public to see. That's not even mentioning how popular the score of the musical was/is. Rave reviews and extremely positive audience reaction aside, West Side Story truly changed the way American theatre was done from then on.
1. Gypsy: A Musical Fable
First Staged: May 21, 1958 (First Broadway Show)
Shows Performed: 702 (not including revivals)
Influence: Through all my searches and analysis, Gypsy kept coming up number one. Dealing with the hardships of a gypsy trying to make it in the musical theatre business, it's a very American tale of trying to succeed in a country with so many opportunities. Some say it's American musical theater's answer to King Lear, which I've heard of so it must be popular. The staging and choreography are said to mesh perfectly with the musical comedy's tone and the score is funny, catchy, and written by two of musical theater's most popular and creative composers. It's tough, it's raw, but it's funny and touching. It's got everything musical theater promises for it's audience and performers, both as a metaphor and as a reality. Gypsy is a story of an ambitious mother fighting to get her daughters successful on the stage. And sometimes, the simplest, most direct metaphors are the most powerful. Create a successful pop song and you're a star. Create a successful pop song with a powerful metaphor and you're a genius. And Gypsy may just be the work of pure genius.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment