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The Top 50 Musicals Submission Thread: The Old Song and Dance

Johnny Unusual

Johnny Unusual

(He/Him)

These are not the happiest of times and sometimes we just need art that is an explosion of emotion, whether it be joy or tragedy, to give us the release we need. Even when they aren’t happy, musicals are beyond “realistic” because by putting our emotions and ideas to music, it can (when done well), make them more resonant. And beyond that, good songs are “sticky”. They will stay with you meaning that the ideas behind them stick with you too. And I think there’s also the fantasy to really express yourself in a way bigger than anything, to take center stage within existence itself, even if it is just for a song.

So for this Popularity Contest, I wanted to do musicals. Musicals, weirdly, is a lot like horror. It’s one of the genres that for whatever reason people bounce off of more than most. If I had to guess, I think it’s partially having to accept a particular *kind* of reality. I also think musicals, even ones that are story centric, are also heavily more feelings and ideas than laying down plot track, though many of the best dovetail the two exceptionally well.

But I feel that even if it isn’t your favourite genre, I think most people can think of a few, even if the music itself wasn’t your favourite part. There’s a reason Disney musicals have become such megahits. If you think “oh, this isn’t for me”, I do hope you take some time to consider. And also read the rules because you might find a certain kind of subject you hadn’t considered counts, even if you are being silly.

Now if you haven't done this before, here's how it works.

A) Send a list of your top 25 musicals. You are free to send a smaller list if you want but I will say my personal preference is a full list if possible.

B) PM me your list. And keep it a secret from the other players. It's more fun if people aren't gaming the system or knowing what's coming…

C) I'll tally everyone's list and make a composite list of 50 musicals.



And here are the rules:

1) Any medium counts. Stage, film, TV episode, TV series, short films, parodies, video game parodies, podcast episode, web series… Probably some I hadn’t thought of yet.

2) In the cases of adaptations… you can tell me your preference but I’ll probably lump some together. For example, just for the ease of it, since the songs are the same I’d put the Lion King film with the stage play. I know Julie Taymor added a lot and in doing so it is in many ways its own thing but it’s just a lot easier for me to tabulate. That said, if you are REALLY married to separating them, I’m not going to fight you on this. I’m easy. And if you have a preference let me know. I can make the entry skew more heavily to one adaptation, I can focus on that.

3) I know for some people who aren’t into musicals, you might have trouble filling out a list so if you want to put a fictive musical (as in, a musical on a comedy show or something that isn’t made in full but they fade scenes from), I don’t mind. We are just here to have fun.

4) Feel free to include your favourite song from the musical, too. And/or tell me why you like it. There are probably a lot of these I haven’t seen yet.

5) Opera counts.

6) If you are not sure if something counts you can ask but Wikipedia says “Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance”

If you are looking or ideas, try these links…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_musicals:_A_to_L

List of musicals: M to Z - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Gee, is there anything I'm forgetting? If I am or you notice a blind spot, let me know.

Well, the deadline is Dec. 18th, at Midnight. Please remember it and I hope everyone takes part. I'm hoping to get at least 15 lists. That's the magic number for these things, I find.
 
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Violentvixen

Violentvixen

(She/Her)
Oh man my list is likely going to be skewed toward when I was really into musicals in high school but I'm excited for this. There have been a lot of fun newer musicals so I think this list will show me new fun things to like.
 
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FelixSH

FelixSH

(He/Him)
So musical episodes (like Buffys "Once More With Feeling") count as one musical, right? What about single, musical numbers, like the ones we get in Simpson episodes?
 
Johnny Unusual

Johnny Unusual

(He/Him)
There was already a list for musical numbers, so a single musical number doesn't count. That said, if within an episode of TV the characters experience a musical and we get a montage going through enough of it to get a general overview I'll except it.

For example, "We Put the Spring in Springfield" from the burlesque house episode wouldn't count. If you wanted to get silly and include Stop the Planet of the Apes I Want To Get Off!, which is supposed to be an entire musical (even though we are only treated to two songs).

I will also say that if there's one song but it's basically the whole movie or episode of a show, I'd count that. I can't think of an example but I feel like there must.

Note there are also entire TV series that are musicals like Schmiggadoon, Galavant and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I would count those as one entry, though if you want to single out a specific episode, that's fine, too. That said individual episodes and the show would be counted as different episodes.

I would not count Steven Universe or Adventure Time as a whole which has a lot of music but I'll take an individual episode that does and would count as one.
 
nataeryn

nataeryn

Discovered Construction
(he/him)
i was actually proud of myself that my short list had about 30 entries. i've seen more musicals than i thought.

I was very drama kid adjacent in HS, but i had a job in HS so I didn't have time for drama. many of my good friends were though so i saw their shows. My younger sister is an amazing singer, so she was in a couple. And my niece is a dancer and has been in 3 shows now at her local community college (she's a young teen). In my hometown, i've managed to make friends with a stage manager, so i've seen a couple of her shows. I've only seen one broadway show live in NYC, though I've seen a couple traveling shows in DC too.

Its more that I'm just really impressed by local theatre. If you remember the Sweeny Todd episode from The Office, the lead was just some local plumber. That's what I tend to find really amazing when a local production has some random teacher or local tradesperson show up and they have an amazing voice. Honestly, its just as inspiring to me seeing someone who is remarkably average but put their heart into the performance. Local theatre is awesome.
 
Daikaiju

Daikaiju

Rated Ages 6+
(He, Him)
I think I submitted a good selection. I did fairly well on the last Musical based list, so high hopes.
 
Johnny Unusual

Johnny Unusual

(He/Him)
We have 6 but I need 9 more by the deadline!

If you are planning on taking part but think you might be late, let me know. The deadline is a soft one but I'd FAR prefer they come in on time to give me an idea what I'm looking at (and the fewer lists I have, the faster tabulation gets done and the less "soft" the deadline!
 
Johnny Unusual

Johnny Unusual

(He/Him)
Up to 8! This is good, being past the halfway point of my goal but I really hope to get 7 more at least! I know there are people who are planning to hop in with some.

I also know that @Mogri and @Falselogic voted for this one so I hope they are away it is happening.
 
WildcatJF

WildcatJF

The Season, It's Here
(he / his / him)
Any chance we could extend the deadline to Sunday? I'm going to need time to think and that won't be happening until the weekend, lots of catching up at work and proofing my upcoming book this week.
 
Johnny Unusual

Johnny Unusual

(He/Him)
WildcatJF said:
I think Baudshaw submitted through the profile box in the front page. I saw a list there last night addressed to you, Johnny.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the tip! I never would have thought of that.
Baudshaw said:
Rip, I did it as a profile post instead of a conversation, let me change it
Click to expand...
No problem!

WildcatJF said:
Any chance we could extend the deadline to Sunday?
Click to expand...
As I said, Wednesday is a soft deadline. A preferred one but letting me know means I'll wait for you before finalizing anything. So it's both a yes and a no. I'll start tabulating on Thursday but I'll wait for you so don't worry and get it in when you can. Just don't wait to long (which is to say Sunday is fine!)
 
Kirin

Kirin

Summon for hire
(he/him)
I never use “what’s new” and often forget it exists, but I occasionally notice the “latest profile posts” box tucked in the corner of the front page and see some recent ones.
 
Johnny Unusual

Johnny Unusual

(He/Him)
Ya'll had me sweatin' (musicals, like horror, is a genre were a lot of people say "I'm not into that") but we are in the double digits. Official deadline is tomorrow. If you are going to be later than that, this is fine but do like @WildcatJF and give me a rough estimate of when it will be ready!

Also, this is already looking to be a fun list.
UPDATE: We are at 11. 4 away from the optimum! I'm really excited.
 
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Issun

Issun

(He/Him)
I could use a little extra time if you'll allow me to squeeze in a list in the wee hours of Thursday morning.
 
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