25 Favorite Musicals of All Time: 19-11

19. Jekyll and Hyde

 A lot of people might not like this one, but I think it is a diamond in the rough. Did you know Sebastian Bach from Skid Row played Jekyll at one point on Broadway? That probably isn't helping my case, is it? Anyways, this play has a strong ensemble and chorus bringing countless street scenes to life. The crowd almost seems to be its own character half of the time, while Jekyll plays both himself and Hyde. What a challenging role, and what a bold decision to put something this complex on the stage. I am glad they took the risk and made this dark and terrible tale a musical masterpiece.

Favorite Song: "Good N' Evil"

Favorite Character: Lucy

Media Type: Stage show. No movie has been made of the musical version, unless you count the opening scene of Van Helsing with Australian Broadway star Hugh Jackman...




18. Rocky Horror Picture Show

 I had no idea people were supposed to yell things out when I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show on stage for the first time. I had seen the movie countless times, but wasn't ready for this. I ran into my high school Spanish teacher doing the pelvic thrust and my virginal friend's parents yelling out swear words in lingerie. What had happened to the world? Was this show that awesome? Yes. Of course it is.

I love this show just as much as I love old British men who are just a little past their prime. It's weird, inappropriate, and a little embarrassing, but I love it nonetheless.  This show is pure controversy, no doubt having to do with the year it was released, and no doubt memorable. I watched it with my mom one Halloween and loved the songs. The characters who sing them are even more ridiculous, and anyone who knows anything about theater loves Rocky Horror. I was a prudish virginal Catholic school girl, and even I fell victim to its charms.

Favorite Song: "Don't Dream It, Be It"

Favorite Character: Franken Furter

Media Type: Tie between stage and film



17. Fiddler On The Roof

 What a sad, sad story. Tevye watches his daughters grow up, marry off, and move away. That's probably why this is my dad's favorite and least favorite movie. He cries every time they sing "Sunrise, Sunset", but still made me watch it with him when I was little. I always think about him when I watch the movie or listen to the soundtrack. I also had the luxury of seeing it on stage, and was blown away. The dream sequence puts every other musical to shame on set and props.

Favorite Song: "Chaveleh (Little Bird)"

Favorite Character: Tevye

Media Type: Stage Show


16. The Full Monty

I didn't think I would like this at all. I saw the preview for the movie when I was young and thought it looked really stupid. I had put it out of my mind completely until I found out who Patrick Wilson was, and someone had the soundtrack in their car. I listened to it, and couldn't take it out of my CD player (times have changed kids, this is before iPods). I had no idea there were such strong female supporting cast members, such humorous moments, such dark humor, and... oh yeah, a bunch of naked guys. But that is just an afterthought after you meet the characters and hear their story.

Favorite Song: Tie: "You Rule My World" and "Breeze Off The River"


Favorite Character: Jerry

Media: Stage Show


15. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

This is the most underrated Disney movie of all time. Maybe I like it because the lead girl has dark hair, or because it has to do with the Catholic church. Or maybe I like it because it is the classic revamping of the timeless story that never gets old: hideous creature falls in love with a beautiful girl even though she is with someone else, and sort of wins her over. Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera have the same general  storyline in the beginning, only this movie is a lot more realistic. The girl doesn't end up with our Quasimodo, but instead falls for the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Phoebus. I like that it doesn't end happily ever after like every other Disney movie. Maybe that's why no one else seems to like it.

Story line or not, the music in this film in undeniably fantastic. Latin choirs of monks chill your bones throughout the heartache of a deformed bell ringer you come to love. The bells he has to ring soar through the air of your living room as you watch it, and you can't help but to be moved.

Favorite Song: "Heaven's Light/Hell's Fire"

Favorite Character: Quasimodo

Media Type: Disney Film. There is a stage show somewhere but it is called something different, and is entirely in French. No thanks.



14. Hairspray

 For the fat girl in all of us, it is easy to relate to the lead Tracy. She is a simple girl who dreams of dancing on an American Bandstand-type show, and eventually gets her wish. She meets a bunch of new friends, and becomes an advocate for civil rights and "Negro Day" on the show she dances on. This show is gay and fabulous and show choir-ready. Tolerance and ignorance butt heads in the most beautiful and campy way, and everyone has a good time learning about it.

Favorite Song: "I Can Hear The Bells"

Favorite Character: Seaweed

Media Type: Film, because Christopher Walken plays her dad and John Travolta plays her mother. No one while in drag has ever made me cry before.



13. The Sound of Music

 Another classic from my dad. This is his other favorite movie, and of course, one of mine. Julie Andrews is such a wonderful performer, the opening scene of her running through the mountains is so uplifting. I could listen to her until I die and I'd always be smiling. The kids' songs are great too, and this is one of those musicals that everyone knows almost every song to, even if they aren't aware of it. That is timeless in my opinion. That is greatness.


Favorite Song: "I Have Confidence". I need to use this as an audition song once I get back in the game...

Favorite Character: Anyone but Rolff

Media Type: Film. I've never seen it live :(




12. The Boy From Oz

 The story of Peter Allen portrayed by the wonderful Hugh Jackman. This has so many different styles of songs as his life changes. Powerhouse solos, soft duets, sexy threesomes, and flamboyant chorus numbers. Jackman is flawless as Peter as he goes through his ups and downs, relationships with men and women, and says his goodbyes to each of them. There isn't a song on this soundtrack I skip over when I listen to it. I really want to see this live someday. So far I just listen to it on my computer and imagine how great it will look.

Favorite Song: "An Older Woman"

Favorite Character: Judy

Media Type: Stage Show, there is no movie.





11. Oklahoma!

 

Another Jackman gem, the London cast show was recorded and put on DVD. I thought only Les Miserables had a revolving stage/set, but it worked out beautifully for Oklahoma!. The process of Oklahoma becoming a state, and the conflict between farmers and cowboys sets the stage for the main characters in the show. Although it has a western theme to it, Oklahoma is no country musical. Rodgers and Hammerstein put their smooth, romantic touch on the love-stricken leads, and keep the other characters fun flirty. Judd Fry sticks out as the only character with deep, dark vocals, and brings the cast full circle.

Favorite Song: "Surrey With The Fringe On The Top"

Favorite Character: Ado Annie

Media Type: Stage Show