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DISCUSSION: Favourite musicals
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=2814

Author:  Lorna [ Fri May 25, 2007 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  DISCUSSION: Favourite musicals

Ok the Any Dream Will Do thread got me thinking ... I love musicals (both on stage and in film). So what are your favourite musicals and what/ where etc have you seen them? Here are mine - not going to rank them as I would find that way too difficult !

Wicked
Godspell
Chicago
Joseph and his amazing etc
Jesus Christ Superstar
Evita
Blood Brothers
Sound of Music
Oliver
Wizard of Oz
Moulin Rouge ... not a traditional musical I know but still going to include it.

Hmm I think that is it for real favourites but there are lots of others I enjoy. I have seen two of them in the past year; Blood Brothers I saw at the Birmingham Hippodrome last September - it was the third time I've seen it and I still cried at the end!

Wicked I saw for the first time in February - it's a fabulous musical with a truly brilliant score and a great story. I much prefer the story told in the musical to the original book of Wicked - they're not very comparable to be honest. The Victoria Apollo is a lovely theatre right by Victoria station and is so suited to the show with it's green lights outside. I went to the stage door at the end to see the actors/ actresses leave which was pretty cool.

I saw Jesus Christ Superstar at the Lyceum in London about 9 years ago which was a great production as we were actually sat on the stage - it was quite interactive. Although almost as memorable as the production was the fact that the people sat next to us ate dried fish in the interval! I've also seen quite a few amatuer productions of this.

Four or maybe five years ago I was lucky enough to be at the final performance of a touring production of Godspell. It was a great production that had been modernised somewhat. Jonathan Wilkes was in it as was Daniel McPherson and Claire Buckfield. Oh and we got to meet Hannah Martin and Tad from Neighbours as they were there to see their friend. (Sorry can't think what their real names were - is she Rebecca Ritters?). We gave a standing ovation at the end for a good five minutes - it was all quite emotional. Would love to see this on stage again.

I saw Chicago on Broadway nearly two years ago and that was amazing - the stage production was very slick and better than the film which I thought was pretty good.

Well I think I've gone on enough for now ... what does anyone else have to say on the matter?

Author:  macyrose [ Fri May 25, 2007 9:35 pm ]
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I saw Cats five times (twice in NYC), can you tell that's my favourite? I also saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat twice. And then there's Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof. I wanted to go see Spamalot when it was here but unfortunately missed it.

ETA: How could I have forgotten Anne of Green Gables seen in Charlottetown, PEI!

Author:  Alison H [ Fri May 25, 2007 9:39 pm ]
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Les Miserables is my favourite by a mile, although I don't play the music from it every day like I did at one stage :lol: .

Other favourites (in no particular order) - Evita, The Sound of Music, The King and I, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Phantom of the Opera (not over keen on the story but I like the music), Miss Saigon, Grease, Chess (especially Anthem), Oklahoma and Joseph.

I like South Pacific but I don't like the ending! And I quite like Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street, Starlight Express, Cats, West Side Story, Mary Poppins, Gigi and Aspects of Love as well! I liked the traditional Jesus Christ Superstar but the "modern" version with Jesus and the disciples wearing jeans annoys me. And I have a soft spot for Showboat because I saw a wonderful open air version of it in Virginia and it was lovely.

Er, have I missed anything out :oops: :lol: ?! ETA - oh, Mamma Mia, of course. Very silly story but I love Abba songs :wink: .

Author:  Lorna [ Fri May 25, 2007 9:44 pm ]
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macyrose wrote:
I saw Cats five times (twice in NYC), can you tell that's my favourite? I also saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat twice. And then there's Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof. I wanted to go see Spamalot when it was here but unfortunately missed it.


I only saw Cats once but it was pretty fab I must say.

Quote:
Les Miserables is my favourite by a mile, although I don't play the music from it every day like I did at one stage .

I only saw Les Miserables once as well - it was pretty amazing I know.

Author:  Donna [ Fri May 25, 2007 10:02 pm ]
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*can't ignore thread about musicals* :)

All-time favourite is Jesus Christ Superstar and oh how I wish I had seen the Lyceum version. But I didn't. I only saw it for the first time in 1999 (23rd October to be precise :D) on tour at the Liverpool Empire. I've seen it another 29 times since then, including a fair number of cities in Britain, 4 performances in Germany and 2 performances on Broadway.

After that I find it difficult to rank them, but my favourites would include Phantom, Joseph, Wicked, Aida, Rent, Mary Poppins (both film and stage), Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, Godspell, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls and Taboo to name but a few. I also like Les Mis a lot, I'm just not sure I can count it as a favourite. :) And oh, I forgot Avenue Q, which I love and would heartily recommend to anyone (as long as you're not of a sensitive nature!).

Phantom I saw on tour first, then quite a lot in London. Joseph is Kenwright's touring version which I've seen probably about 7 times. Wicked I saw in London last September and loved, although I'd had the cast recording for ages and knew i loved it anyway. Aida I saw twice on Broadway. Rent was once on Broadway, once on tour and then a couple of times in London ( really crappy production though). In fact, Rent is probably my second favourite. Mary Poppins I've only seen on stage once, but it was fantastic. Miss Saigon I've only seen on tour, but it's another show I travelled to see a few times (nothing whatsoever to do with the cast, oh no siree. ;)), Sunset I saw in London back in 1997. In fact, it was the first big musical I saw in London. I also saw the tour 14 times. Godspell I saw the same production as you Lorna and loved it, only I saw it at the beginning of the run. I think I saw that about 8 times in total. Anything Goes I only saw once, the National Theatre production at the Theatre Royal in London. Guys and Dolls is the current production which I saw twice with Ewan McGregor and once with Nigel Harman and Taboo I saw at the Venue in London and then a couple of times on tour.

Er yes, sorry, got rather carried away there. :)

Author:  Aquabird [ Fri May 25, 2007 10:06 pm ]
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I've only seen 3 musicals at the theatre: We Will Rock You, Starlight Express and Cats. I love going to the theatre, but I'm usually too skint to afford it. :(

I saw We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre while on a school trip to London in 2005, and it was the definite highlight of the trip (and we did all the touristy things). I know WWRY isn't everybody's cup of tea, but I absolutely loved it. The only downside was that I was sitting right behind a couple who snogged through the entire show. :roll:

I went to see Cats a few months ago at the King's Theatre in Glasgow, and it was also very good, but it's probably my least favourite of the musicals I've seen on stage.

But Starlight Express is my absolute favourite musical. I've seen it twice, once at Glasgow's Theatre Royal and once (just two weeks ago, actually) at the Edinburgh Playhouse. I just wish I could've seen the original London production at the Apollo Victoria, where the skate track went right into the audience. :shock:

I have a couple of others on film, and my favourite is probably the Phantom of the Opera. I also like Calamity Jane.

Author:  Lorna [ Fri May 25, 2007 10:30 pm ]
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Have never actually seen Phantom ... I do love Mary Poppins an Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well - I saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on stage last August with Gary Wilmot who is fab ... I also saw him as Fagin around 12 years ago - that was a great production of Oliver.

Has anyone seen Batboy? I have heard the Cast recording it sounds quite good and I quite like the sound of the story.

Author:  Bess [ Fri May 25, 2007 10:37 pm ]
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I hardly know anything about musicals, but my musical-loving sis-in-law has intruduced me to a few. She's partly French and my fave musical ever has to be Romeo et Juliette - a big pop music singalong really, fun and modern - which was a huge hit musical just about everywhere but England since 2000; the new soundtrack is brill too. I also love POTO, find Thoroughly Modern Millie rather hysterical, and of course Grease.

Author:  Lorna [ Fri May 25, 2007 10:46 pm ]
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Ahhh Grease ... I do forget to include this but I do still love it! It's gpt to be one of the best sing a long musicals.

Speaking of sing a longs - I went to a singalonga Joseph a few years back and that was great fun. I do know the musical inside out and if ever I got to be in a musical the Narrator would be my dream role!

Author:  KathrynW [ Fri May 25, 2007 11:12 pm ]
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I went to see Jason in concert tonight and he came out for the encore in is technicolour dream coat and sang Any Dream Will Do. Amazing.

Author:  Fatima [ Sat May 26, 2007 4:19 am ]
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Les Mis is my favourite. I also enjoyed Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph. As for films, I like South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. And, of course, Moulin Rouge! My SLOC now rolls his eyes when he comes home and finds me watching it again. The children love Grease and Grease 2 and a couple of years ago they went through a phase of watching the Sound of Music every day! Having been here so long I haven't seen any of the newer ones, but would very much like to.

Author:  Grembles [ Sat May 26, 2007 7:22 am ]
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How to pick a favourite

I have seen
Les Mis
Lion King
Miss Saigon
Chicago
Joseph
Superstar
Spamalot
Mikado
and
We Will Rock You (four time :lol: )

I think I would see them all again except the Lion King which disappointed me somewhat.

My sister and I love musicals and especially WWRY and it is our treat to meet in London and to go and see a musical.

Author:  Alison H [ Sat May 26, 2007 8:21 am ]
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Ooh, I can't believe I forgot The Lion King! It's so exciting when the animals walk in down the aisles :lol: !

Author:  Mona [ Sat May 26, 2007 10:15 am ]
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If you forced me to pick one, it would be West Side Story.

I also love both the stage and film verions of : Guys & Dolls, My Fair Lady, Gigi, Fiddler on the Roof, Singin' In The Rain, Oklahoma and Chicago.

Adore the film, but not so much the stage production: The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Grease.

Love it on stage, but can take or leave the film: Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Evita and Annie.

And stage only: Avenue Q, Wicked, Sweeny Todd, Blood Brothers, Cats and I suspect Hairspray, although I haven't actually seen it, I only know the soundtrack.

ALW shows mostly leave me cold. They're entertaining enough, but don't make me want to see them again. I've not seen any of the compliation type shows (Mamma Mia etc). I'm sure they're good fun if you like the music they use, but if I'm going to pay West End prices for a show, I'd rather see something with original music.

eta: I forgot about Little Shop of Horrors.

Author:  Miranda [ Sat May 26, 2007 10:44 am ]
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I was in New York in January and picked Spamalot as my Broadway treat! It was really good - except I think I know the movie too well because I was able to quote along with most of it...except the bits they had changed from the movie of course.

I had to pass up Avenue Q, which was on the same street, but I have, and love, the soundtrack.

Saw Cats a few weeks ago as an amateur production and that was excellent! Really good dancing as well as singing, which I wasn't necessarily expecting...

Other than that, I also love Phantom, Sound of Music, Les Miz. I just wish Perth was included on more tour schedules for *proper* musicals!! :twisted:

Author:  Clare [ Sat May 26, 2007 2:47 pm ]
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I love musicals. Guys and Dolls opens on the Liverpool Empire this week and I'm wondering if I can afford tickets to see it, as I've only ever seen it as a school production.

I've seen:
Phantom of the Opera (probably my favourite and I couldn't get enough of the film)
Les Miserables
The Lion King (AMAZING)
Beauty and the Beast (which I've seen highlights of in the States, and twice in the UK. Was gutted first time because it was opening night and I kept noticing the mistakes)
My Fair Lady (which was OK, but Russ Abbot made it for me)
The King and I (which I didn't enjoy, much preferred the film 'Anna and the King')
Joseph (played by Stephen Gately - I don't care if he's gay I still love him!)
Starlight Express
Jesus Christ Superstar (my first school trip as a teacher - learning the art of simultaneously watching a production and pupils).

I've also seen the Hobbit. which was a mistake. It was dreadful! I am part tempted to see the LOTR musical but I'm so afraid of coming out of it laughing my head off and having it taint my enjoyment of LOTR.

I do want to see Wicked, I'm intrigued at how they adapt the book.

Film musicals:
Moulin Rouge (I love it - SLOC hates it)
Sound of Music (I went to Salzburg on my own and did the tour - fabulous!!)
Chicago (I just love the fact CZJ outclasses RZ. You can see RZ having to think about her steps while CZJ does it so effortlessly).

Author:  francesn [ Sat May 26, 2007 3:31 pm ]
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I like:
Stage: Cats, Starlight Express, Anything Goes, Joseph, Les Mis, Phantom, Guys & Dolls, Hot Mikado, We Will Rock You, Saigon, West Side Story

Film: Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Keep meaning to see: Wicked and a whole host of others

I have the same problem as Aquabird though - skint!

Author:  Tamzin [ Sat May 26, 2007 3:53 pm ]
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The most bizarre musical I ever saw was called "Sherlock Holmes - the musical" and it was on at the Kings in Edinburgh about 1994ish. Robert Powell, of all people, took the role of Sherlock Holmes and the plot was some nonsense about Moriarty's daughter Bella(!) turning up to seek revenge for her father's death.

It must have sunk without trace for I never heard it mentioned again nor have I ever seen it put on anywhere else. Can't think why? :wink:

Author:  Liane [ Sat May 26, 2007 6:50 pm ]
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I love Sound of music and Oklahoma and Oliver.
I know they are not conventional but I love Moulin Rouge and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which I have seen on stage and it's fab!

The only other thing I have seen on stage is Heathcliffe, with Cliff Richard which I really enjoyed.

Author:  vicki_theterror [ Sat May 26, 2007 8:13 pm ]
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hmmmmm
like lion king, joseph, godspell, sound of music and evita

one i'm not keen on since i saw it was les miserable

Author:  Han [ Sun May 27, 2007 12:20 am ]
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Living in London means I've made it to a few musicals (they tend to be birthday treats and things you do with visitors). In particular, I've managed to see We Will Rock You about 6 times now!! I had a boyfriend who used to absolutely love it and so he wanted to go and see it as many times as possible. And it is a good show so I've taken a couple of other people since then. Saying that, I think the original show was much better than it is now - it was a lot more vulgar the last time I saw it.

Les Mis is incredibly but the first half drags. Lion King is visually stunning and an incredible piece of theatre but I thought the acting let it down slightly.

I loved Billy Elliot. I thought the dancing was amazing, the songs are wonderful and it was a great example of what musical theatre can be if all the elements can be put in place and work together. If anyone else has seen it, Solidarity is possibly my favourite musical number of all time (even with the swearing).

I also really enjoyed Mary Poppins, Fame and Moulin Rouge.

Author:  LizzieC [ Sun May 27, 2007 11:13 am ]
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I really enjoy Calamity Jane, which I think is my favourite film musical (though there isn't a scene to rival Phantom where the dilapadated theatre suddenly comes to life). Doris Day is amazing and I think I have a crush on Howard Keel.

I've seen Lion King, Joseph, Les Mis and Phantom in the West End.

I can't really be objective about Joseph as I saw it four times between the ages of 8 and 10 and thought it was amazing, but not having seen it as an adult I don't feel I can comment on it as a production. I still enjoy listening to the music, but it's more like ear candy than an actual meaty musical (very pretty to listen to but very little substance).

Lion King is visually stunning and I really enjoy the sound track, but I don't think I could call it my favourite.

I'm torn between Les Mis and Phantom for my favourite. Les Mis on the stage made me cry. Phantom caught me up. I enjoyed and got totally involved by both. I'd probably give it to Les Mis, but it's a very close run thing.

I like lots of songs from other musicals (I Still Believe from Miss Saigon, High Flying Adored/You Must Love Me/Waltz for Evita and Che from Evita, Mr Mistofelees/Skimbleshanks from Cats) but as whole musicals they just don't really do it for me.

Author:  arky72 [ Sun May 27, 2007 11:42 am ]
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I've seen Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express (original) and the New Starlight Express (3D), Miss Saigon, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady and The King and I at the theatre

Have seen Calamity Jane, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and Grease as films

My favourites are the original Starlight Express, and Joseph.

I'd love to see Summer Holiday.

This site was interesting.

Author:  KathrynW [ Sun May 27, 2007 11:57 am ]
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Thanks for that site arky...although the definition of musical seems to be quite flexible at times!

I never used to be a big fan or know much about musicals until I got to university and ended up with a lot of friends in the musical theatre society. I ended up producing a couple of shows (Merrily We Roll Along and Me and My Girl) while I was there.

Of the musicals that I've seen, I think my favourite is probably Sweeney Todd which I saw when it was on tour last year. I also saw an amazing production of Hedwig and the Angry Itch at university - if you get the right person playin Hedwig, it's absolutely unbelievable.

I've seen Wicked a couple of times and I have enjoyed it a lot. I also took my little cousin to see The Lion King and I was really impressed with the staging especially the parade of animals.

Author:  Smile :) [ Sun May 27, 2007 4:13 pm ]
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Well from films I like Chicago, The Sound of Music(our original taped video of this was watched so much it stoppoed working), Grease, The Producers and Dream Girls (coming out on DVD soon)

On stage i loved both Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, guys and Dolls and Billy Elliot.

Actually I basically love most musicals.

I say most because I absolutely cannot stand High School Musical(from the disney channel) which some friends made me watch, in my opinion it is sooooo unbelievably rubbish.

Author:  Lorna [ Sun May 27, 2007 8:43 pm ]
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Clare wrote:

I do want to see Wicked, I'm intrigued at how they adapt the book.


Oh you have to try ... it is a truly superior story to the book. I'm sure if I had read the book first I would probably have enjoyed it more. I think you would have to go with open mind otherwise you might spend the entire show thinking 'it didn't happen like this in the book.

Quote:
Sound of Music (I went to Salzburg on my own and did the tour - fabulous!!)


How fab ... would love to do that. My best friend and I were thinking of doing it years ago and never did.

Author:  Donna [ Sun May 27, 2007 10:19 pm ]
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Clare wrote:
I love musicals. Guys and Dolls opens on the Liverpool Empire this week and I'm wondering if I can afford tickets to see it, as I've only ever seen it as a school production.


Oh Clare, beg, borrow or steal to see it. It's the same production I saw in London (though different cast) and it's fantastic. And it's got Darius in it - how can you do better? :) Assuming you're on half term this week, the cheapest ticket for the wednesday matinee is £12, which isn't bad. I'm going on 8th June with my mum and am very excited about it!

As for Wicked, as Lorna says, the musical is very different from the book. They just about kept the character names and not much else. But I prefer the musical story to the book anyway - it's less bogged down in the political side and is...easier, I think, to enjoy.

Author:  Han [ Sun May 27, 2007 11:35 pm ]
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I really didn't like Wicked the book but I've heard some of the songs from the musical and they sound good. I've also had several positive reviews from people I know so I think I'll probably go and see it at some point.

Author:  Gillian [ Mon May 28, 2007 3:23 am ]
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Lorna wrote:
Has anyone seen Batboy? I have heard the Cast recording it sounds quite good and I quite like the sound of the story.


I've seen Batboy in Edinburgh - I think it was a Cambridge student production. It starts out quite good and then descends into complete farce at the end - as if the writer couldn't quite think how to end it sensibly so put down the first thing that came into his head. Some of the songs are quite good though and its funny in places.

My favourite musicals tend to be heavily slanted towards ones I've worked on and enjoyed doing, because living in the frozen north we don't get to see many touring shows :( Probably Cabaret and Into the Woods are my absolute favourites, but I usually like most things.

I'd like to go and see Wicked and Avenue Q at some point because I've heard good things about them!

Author:  clair [ Mon May 28, 2007 10:50 pm ]
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I love musicals - my new favourite has to be 'Drowsy Chaperone' which I saw on thursday! I went cos of Elaine Paige being my ultimate female performer but it was so much fun, although I do think people will love it or think it a waste of time. I was lucky enough to chat to her after as well - and going again on june 7th!
Anything with Howard Keel is a must - LizzieC I am totally in love with the man, not just a crush, one of the saddest days of my life was hearing ha had passed away.
Have to admit to seeing lots of them with favourites including Blood Brothers, Les Mis, Jack the Ripper, White Christmas, Fame, Contact, The Boyfriend, Miss Saigon, Oklahoma, Anything Goes, Taboo, Chicago, Rent......... could go on and on.
Dying to see Wicked and would like to see Fiddler on the Roof, Billy Elliott, Side by Side and soooo many others at the moment
The only ones I really didn't enjoy were Beauty and the Beast and Hard Times!

Author:  KB [ Mon May 28, 2007 11:41 pm ]
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I've seen so too many musicals! We used to sell tickets for shows as part of fundraisers for Rotary so, of course, I had to go. (Yes, you may feel sorry for me now. *lol*) Among my favourites:

Les Miserables (seen it eight times, including three times in Germany)
Beauty and the Beast (seen it three times with Hugh Jackman as Gaston)
Secret Garden (Anthony Warlow as Archibald)
Jesus Christ Superstar (two versions)
Miss Saigon
42nd Street
Evita
Chess
The Producers
Chicago
Kiss Me Kate (film only)
Sound of Music (also done the Austria film tour, but I also saw the musical on stage)
Cats
Phantom of the Opera

Others I didn't like so much:

Sunset Boulevard (Hugh Jackman as Joe Gillis)
Lion King
Doctor Dolittle (film only)
Show Boat
Carousel (film only, although some of the songs are gorgeous)
Guys and Dolls
Oklahoma

Ones I want to see:

Wicked
Blood Brothers

And do G&Ss count? If so then add Pirates of Penzance, Mikado, Trial by Jury and HMS Pinafore to the 'love' list, particularly if Anthony Warlow is involved!

Author:  La Petite Em [ Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:56 pm ]
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1. Wicked. Wow. I saw it on Wednesday, (my school took me for free for teaching some really sweet kids dance,) and I am in love. The costumes, the songs, the set, the acting, the script.... Wow. Kerry Ellis' voice blew me away- she was very similar to Idina Menzel but... just felt more special. I cried so much when Glinda and Elphaba said their 'good bye'- the song lyrics were just so powerful. I reeeaally want to see it again and, seeing as I paid nothing at all for the whole trip, I feel a ticket on the Super Saver Coach will be well spent!

2. Cats. This took some beating from Wicked as I am a complete Cats geek. I know all the names of the cats, the words to the songs and a lot of the dance moves. I have even reseached some of the background stories that are never mentioned in the musical. To me, Cats is just magic and I really don't know why. I don't have to look for things to love, it just 'is.' Plus I have always wanted to play Rumpleteazer, the sneeze does it for me.

I can't put down a 3rd place. Other great musicals the spring to mind are the Lion King, Blood Brothers, (tear jerker!!!) Les Mis, Miss Saigon and Mary Poppins. I think they are the next best...

Really would like to see Billy Elliot. So people have recommended it and say it is deadly funny... watch this space.

Author:  James [ Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:35 pm ]
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Ooh... Les Mis, Guys and Dolls, Grease and Anything Goes are the four I love, in roughly that order.

Forbidden Planet is brilliant, really want to see Wicked - I love the soundtrack! - and Branagh's film version of Love's Labours Lost with all of the classic standard easy listening tracks is superb as well.

Also really like Oklahoma, Joseph, Calamity Jane, Blood Brothers, Phantom and Chicago, have seen Little Shop of Horrors quite a few times and they've been wildly varied quality. Never been keen on Cats, which obviously puts me in the minority! :oops:

Author:  Lizzie [ Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:18 pm ]
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KB wrote:
Beauty and the Beast (seen it three times with Hugh Jackman as Gaston)


REALLY? That's amazing! I would have paid big money see that!

I went to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on its first run, with Richard O'Brien as the child catcher. It was ace...

As for musicals on film, I would have to say that the one I've seen the most is probably The Sound of Music, but other favourites include...

Calamity Jane
Seven Brides (barn raising, anyone?)
Mary Poppins
Annie
High School Musical ahem
The Slipper and the Rose

Anyone seen Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You? Apparently, he managed to keep the fact that that it was a musical secret until the cast had all signed on, which is how he was able to get Julia Roberts, Goldie Hawn, Drew Barrymore, Tim Roth, Alan Alda, Natalie Portman, Natasha Lyonne and Billy Crudup all singing.

Author:  fio [ Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:02 pm ]
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Lizzie wrote:
KB wrote:
Beauty and the Beast (seen it three times with Hugh Jackman as Gaston)


REALLY? That's amazing! I would have paid big money see that!



I've seen Beauty and the Beast 7 times- however, I probably saw it from a different angle to the rest of you! The current UK tour came to the Grand Theatre, Swansea in July 2004, and Jonathan played Chip for 7 performances. As I was chaperoning him, I got to see it from the wings - I didn't actually get to see it from the auditorium as I had to be backstage with him!- and that's the best fun I've had in a theatre ever!!! The cast were all so friendly (it can't be much fun rehearsing 3 new Chips every 2 weeks!) and he got a Beauty and the Beast T shirt. 8)

Author:  Dawn [ Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:07 pm ]
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Jess and I saw Beauty and the Beast in Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago and it was excellent, we both really enjoyed it. I loved the way that the scenery slid in and out so much (see how technical I am :roll: )

Author:  Han [ Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:06 pm ]
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Dawn wrote:
Jess and I saw Beauty and the Beast in Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago and it was excellent, we both really enjoyed it. I loved the way that the scenery slid in and out so much (see how technical I am :roll: )


If you're looking for impressive scenery, you have to go and see Mary Poppins! They have an entire house moving around on stage! Three floors, including the attic, with the roof on top for all the chim-chim-cheree-ing! It's incredible - the producer side of my brain wouldn't shut up!

Author:  Lizzie [ Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:35 pm ]
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The flying car is fairly impressive in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, especially the take-off. Also the Child-Catcher's...erm...capture..was ace!

Author:  Rosalin [ Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:17 pm ]
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I went to see Les Miserables (again) while I was in London for the Frolick. It has to be my all round favourite musical, although Phantom has my absolute favourite song (Music of the Night, which I love singing, and is nicely within my range, but I can't see myself making a convincing Phantom :lol: ). My other favourite is Evita on stage, although I don't remember being hugely impressed with the film. I love the film of the Sound of Music, but I haven't seen it on stage yet. I'm going in a fortnight as a surprise birthday treat for my dad (who I hope hasn't taken up lurking on the CBB, although I can't see it really being his sort of thing).

Author:  James [ Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:16 am ]
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Having seen the film the other week, am adding Hairspray to my list - awesome :)

Author:  Katherine [ Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:26 pm ]
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I am not a big fan of musicals; I tend to come out going it was okay was would have been so much better if they'd cut the songs! Having said that we did go and see LOTR and I really enjoyed that. It took you into a magical world and the sets are fantastic. The wood over the boxes is amazing (go and see it and you'll see what I meanl it's hard to describe). Yes they cut a lot but I think they cut what had to go to get it down to three hours.
It's at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane at the moment. One thing I would say is don't get seats up in the Gods as they are the smallest seats I have ever sat in. I am 5' 6'' and couldn't fit my knees in behind the seat in front.

Author:  Jennie [ Mon Aug 13, 2007 1:00 pm ]
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My all time favourite is 'West Side Story', but I also enjoyed one that seems to have been forgotten now, 'The Student Prince'. It starred Mario Lanza in full voice, and had some really good songs.

Author:  Fatima [ Mon Aug 13, 2007 4:44 pm ]
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And Salad Days is lovely, too. I'm not sure what made me think of it, maybe Jennie's long forgotten comment.

Author:  Jennie [ Mon Aug 13, 2007 9:02 pm ]
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The Boy Friend'?

Author:  clair [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 4:45 pm ]
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I love the Boy Friend - one of the best, hoping to see it at Regents Park in a couple of weeks time. Trouble with these threads is you always forget so many when you post and then kick yourself!
Salad Days is another good one, to be honest there are few I've not liked - although Beauty and the Beast was definitely one, I slept through the second half of it

Author:  Chelsea [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 5:46 pm ]
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I saw Billy Elliott when I was in London in July and absolutely loved it. I am not one to cry in movies/plays etc. but had to find a tissue during Billy Elliott (the 'letter song' for those who have seen it, without giving things away to those who haven't).

In terms of big flashy ones, I really enjoyed Wicked (saw it in New York and Toronto) but wasn't a huge fan of the Lion King (saw it in Toronto) - but maybe I was expecting too much with all of the hype.

I also enjoyed Hairspray (I have the soundtrack on my running playlist). Funnily, they filmed the movie in Toronto and I ran through the set one day (they were filming the scene where they 'crash' the show) and, once I picked my past the sidewalk, I realised that my IPOD was playing the song they were filming.

Author:  Karry [ Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:22 pm ]
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Ohhh the Student prince! I saw it with John Hansen in Nottingham in the 70s! I can't wait until September to see We Will RockYou (a birthdaypresent from my daughter (who got me two tickets))

ETA Just looked this up on Wikipedia, and one of the songs I had forgotten was "Come Boys, Let's All Be Gay Boys"
:shock: you couldnt write a song like that today!!!!

Author:  JackieP [ Sat Aug 18, 2007 10:15 pm ]
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Musicals, well, I think my favourite has to be Phantom, having seen it three times in London, I always end up singing along to the music as we're leaving somehow.

Musical's (and Operettas) I've seen on stage (mostly Amateur productions):
Phantom
The Boyfriend
Salad Days
Godspell
Guy's and Doll's
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Assassins (probably 2nd favourite, as it's so dark!)
Little Shop of Horrors
The Rocky Horror Show
Barnum
Annie
Bugsy Malone
Oliver
The Thrupenny Opera
Mack & Mabel
Calamity Jane
Blood Brothers
The Mikado
The Gondoliers
HMS Pinafore
A Chorus Line
A Slice of Saturday Night

Musical's (and Operettas) I've been involved in:

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Chorus)
Grease (Patty)
Rocky Horror Show (Backstage)
Singin' in the Rain (Chorus)
Pickwick (Chorus)
G&S
The Sorcerer (Chorus/Constance at later Concert performance)
HMS Pinafore (Chorus)
Trial by Jury (Bridesmaid)
The Mikado (Chorus)
Pirates of Penzance (Orchestra, 2nd Violin)
Ruddigore (Backstage)
Iolanthe (Celia)

I think that's it.... I do love Musicals though - something Ben doesn't understand...

JackieP

Author:  Billie [ Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:40 pm ]
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In my first year at uni I saw Joseph (twice) Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Woman in White. Since then I've seen Phantom (planning to go again soon,) Wicked and The Lion King. I saw Starlight Express when I was 13 - loved that, it blew me away.

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