People often ask me what my favorite musical is. I seldom answer: that would be like Sophie's Choice. But I've been reading through a number of books recently that attempt to list the best plays, novels, and writers of all time. Efforts fraught with peril, but nonetheless fun to read.
As foolhardy an effort as it might seem, I've taken it upon myself to compile my own list of the best musicals of all time. The criteria: mine. Your option if you disagree: create your own frickin' list.
Also, keep in mind that this is a list of stage musicals, not movie musicals, which explains the absence of such classics as "Singing in the Rain," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," and "The Wizard of Oz." Yes, they've been done on the stage, but never very well. If I ever decide to put together a list of the best movie musicals, rest assured that I will give them full consideration.
- Gypsy
- My Fair Lady
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
- Fiddler on the Roof
- Guys and Dolls
- Oklahoma!
- Cabaret
- West Side Story
- The Music Man
- A Chorus Line
- Chicago
- The Fantasticks
- Carousel
- Company
- Show Boat
- The King and I
- Little Shop of Horrors
- Sunday in the Park With George
- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
- A Little Night Music
- She Loves Me
- Nine
- Follies
- Falsettos
- Ragtime
- Kiss Me, Kate
- 1776
- Into the Woods
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
- Urinetown
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Wicked
- Hair
- Evita
- Hello, Dolly!
- La Cage aux Folles
- 110 in the Shade
- The Producers
- Lady in the Dark
- City of Angels
- Dreamgirls
- Avenue Q
- The Book of Mormon
- 42nd Street
- Brigadoon
- The Cradle Will Rock
- The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Once on This Island
- Adding Machine
- On the Town
- Les Miserables
- Bat Boy
- Caroline, or Change
- South Pacific
- The Pajama Game
- The Sound of Music
- Hairspray
- The Phantom of the Opera
- Damn Yankees
- Rent
- Grey Gardens
- Assassins
- Mame
- Man of La Mancha
- A Man of No Importance
- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Sweet Charity
- Camelot
- Anything Goes
- Wonderful Town
- The Light in the Piazza
- The Drowsy Chaperone
- The Full Monty
- Romance/Romance
- Godspell
- Of Thee I Sing
- The Secret Garden
- Pippin
- Kiss of the Spider Woman
- Finian's Rainbow
- Pal Joey
- Annie Get Your Gun
- Pacific Overtures
- Hedwig and the Angry Inch
- On Your Toes
- Candide
- Annie
- Beauty and the Beast
- Ain't Misbehavin'
- Bye Bye Birdie
- Jelly's Last Jam
- A New Brain
- Floyd Collins
- Grand Hotel
- Violet
- A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine
- Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk
- The Scottsboro Boys
- Next to Normal