Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
The title song is actually original for the movie but it was so popular it is generally played before most versions of the stage show now.
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Top 50 Musicals: By the Numbers
- Thread starter Johnny Unusual
- Start date
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen, Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed
Time: 1927
Place: Hollywood!
Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are silent film superstars but when the Jazz Singer becomes the first hit talkie, the duo’s next film is retooled as a talkie. The two begin taking elocution lessons but snobby Lina’s voice is not up to her star-power par. At the same time, Don is falling for a woman, Kathy Selden, an actor who has an amazing voice. Making a talkie proves to be harder than expected but when Kathy starts dubbing Lina’s lines, it looks like they may have found the solution to making a hit. Things get complicated when Lina learns Kathy, whom she dislikes, I getting a credit and decides to complicate matters that can put the studio in legal hot water.
Singin’ in the Rain I our first jukebox musical on the list. There is one more on the list but they don’t have a lot of representation. In all honesty, it would be understandable for anyone not to realize this ISN’T a jukebox musical, as the songs are all heavily associated with the film. In fact, the writer of all the songs basically pitched this as an excuse to give them all more exposure and though it was only a modest hit on release, it became one of the most beloved of all musicals. It has some terrific numbers and dance sequences, including the delightful Make ‘Em Laugh and the title song.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): From that time Mayor Pauline did Biblical parodies of her own songs.
Singin' in the Rain is one of the most fun movies you can watch.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice
Time: 33
Place: Jerusalem
Jesus Christ has been making waves and that has been getting under Judas’ skin. A part of Jesus’ movement, he’s worried that they may be seen as a threat to the Roman empire and will be dealt with harshly. Also him hanging out with Mary Magdaline could be used against him in the court of public opinion and that the fact that he is willing to anoint himself with expensive oils seems hypocritical for a man promising to help the poor. Judas starts to feel drastic action is to be taken, though his choices might damn him. Meanwhile, Jesus feels alone, seen more of a symbol to his followers than someone to be cared for and the one person who does, Mary Magdaline, is conflicted.
Jesus Christ Superstar is Webber and Rice’s second biblical musical after Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and it does feel like it’s drawing the famous line of “I know another long haired guy with a lot of crazy ideas about peace and love.” But rather than simply being “Jesus but now times” (an idea parodied in Mr. Show’s Jeepers Creepers sketch) Judas becomes much more nuanced characters with Judas believing in the cause, having genuine concerns about the movement but rationalizing his treachery and Jesus frustrated with his mission.
- Bulgakov
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): Protoman and Megaman
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
A late cut for me and one I was very reluctant to make. One of my mom's favourite musicals, and one I remember playing on the record player at home a lot.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Dan Aykroyd, John Landis
Time: 1980
Place: Chicago, Illinois
Just out of jail, Jake Blues reteams with his brother Elwood. It seems that they have a mission from God; to save their childhood orphanage from closing by earning $5000. To do that, they need to reform the Blues Brothers Band and put on the biggest show possible. But standing in their way is a gang of neo Nazis, some “good ol’ boys”, a mystery woman, and the police! Can they survive the chase, make it too the show, earn the money save the orphanage and avoid getting arrested? Well, they can do MOST of those things.
The second and last jukebox musical on the list, The Blues Brothers is based on a recurring pair that originated in live shows but gained fame on Saturday Night Live. It’s a bit odd because while the characters are eccentric and striking, it’s not like the characters were specifically comedic originally. It was a music act inspired by Ackroyd getting Belushi interested in blues and both creating these characters to express that love. But the Blues Brothers is a comedy and one that works thanks in large part to the title characters mostly deadpan approach (I feel like THIS is why Ackroyd was cast in the Dragnet movie) and absurdist humour. Oh, and some sensational musical numbers based on the great black music of the 60s.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): The Blockbuster story
Time: 1980
Place: Chicago, Illinois
Just out of jail, Jake Blues reteams with his brother Elwood. It seems that they have a mission from God; to save their childhood orphanage from closing by earning $5000. To do that, they need to reform the Blues Brothers Band and put on the biggest show possible. But standing in their way is a gang of neo Nazis, some “good ol’ boys”, a mystery woman, and the police! Can they survive the chase, make it too the show, earn the money save the orphanage and avoid getting arrested? Well, they can do MOST of those things.
The second and last jukebox musical on the list, The Blues Brothers is based on a recurring pair that originated in live shows but gained fame on Saturday Night Live. It’s a bit odd because while the characters are eccentric and striking, it’s not like the characters were specifically comedic originally. It was a music act inspired by Ackroyd getting Belushi interested in blues and both creating these characters to express that love. But the Blues Brothers is a comedy and one that works thanks in large part to the title characters mostly deadpan approach (I feel like THIS is why Ackroyd was cast in the Dragnet movie) and absurdist humour. Oh, and some sensational musical numbers based on the great black music of the 60s.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): The Blockbuster story
oh i could KICK myself! how could i not think of Blues Brothers! Torzelbaum and others picking up my slack.
I learned how to use my dad's record player for the blues brothers album. My boss of my highschool job was a huge blues brothers fan and had a lifesize statue of Jake and Elwood outside of his store. My dad got really into blues. He learned to play the harmonica. He listened to BB King and Koko Taylor. I remember we went to see Blues Brothers 2000 when it came out, which is a lesser movie, but I still liked it.
I learned how to use my dad's record player for the blues brothers album. My boss of my highschool job was a huge blues brothers fan and had a lifesize statue of Jake and Elwood outside of his store. My dad got really into blues. He learned to play the harmonica. He listened to BB King and Koko Taylor. I remember we went to see Blues Brothers 2000 when it came out, which is a lesser movie, but I still liked it.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Jonathan Larson
Time: Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve and the year in between
Place: Manhattan's East Village
In New York, a group of Bohemian artists experience a year of trials and tribulations under the shadow of AIDS. This includes Roger (an ex-addict musician), Mark (a struggling Jewish filmmaker), Mimi (a stripper currently struggling with heroin addiction), Tom (a philosophy professor and anarchist), Angel (a drag performer and street musician), Maureen (a performance artist), Joanne (a lawyer), and Benny (the landlord). Over the course of a year, these people will experience pain and loss, as well as finding outputs for their creativity.
@Bulgakov
- ViolentVixen
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): Is this where people go looking for a dom?
Time: Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve and the year in between
Place: Manhattan's East Village
In New York, a group of Bohemian artists experience a year of trials and tribulations under the shadow of AIDS. This includes Roger (an ex-addict musician), Mark (a struggling Jewish filmmaker), Mimi (a stripper currently struggling with heroin addiction), Tom (a philosophy professor and anarchist), Angel (a drag performer and street musician), Maureen (a performance artist), Joanne (a lawyer), and Benny (the landlord). Over the course of a year, these people will experience pain and loss, as well as finding outputs for their creativity.
@Bulgakov
- ViolentVixen
Showstopper
Ooh, a whole string of things on my list. I had JC Superstar, Blues Bros, and Rent at my #7, 9, and 11 respectively. Lots of great songs in all three.
I forget how I was first introduced to JCS but I'm pretty sure I knew a lot of the songs before I finally saw the movie. A lot of the tunes are really fun and the subject matter appealed to a sense of cultural subversion at the time.
I've had a huge fondness for BB for about as long as I can remember. Fun comedy, great musicians. The sequel may never reach the heights of the original, but I'll always maintain that its existence is worthwhile if only for the all-star jams it put together; some of those musical stars would never have had an excuse to get together without it.
Rent I'll admit I knew a lot of people who were into but didn't really know much about it until my now-wife forced me to watch it, as it's one of her all-time faves. Good stuff for sure. Also it gave us the delightful Anthony Rapp, who I love on Discovery.
I forget how I was first introduced to JCS but I'm pretty sure I knew a lot of the songs before I finally saw the movie. A lot of the tunes are really fun and the subject matter appealed to a sense of cultural subversion at the time.
I've had a huge fondness for BB for about as long as I can remember. Fun comedy, great musicians. The sequel may never reach the heights of the original, but I'll always maintain that its existence is worthwhile if only for the all-star jams it put together; some of those musical stars would never have had an excuse to get together without it.
Rent I'll admit I knew a lot of people who were into but didn't really know much about it until my now-wife forced me to watch it, as it's one of her all-time faves. Good stuff for sure. Also it gave us the delightful Anthony Rapp, who I love on Discovery.
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
RENT is... so much for me. I had friends who died of AIDS. I knew so many people who struggled in New York. I had never heard music and lyrics like this. As noted it was the thing in high school for me. I'm transported back by this soundtrack.
I didn't see it mentioned that it's a modernization of Pucchini's opera La boheme. The names of characters are pretty easily matched although some have been mixed up a little with the changes in the story.
One Song Glory is one of my favourite musical tracks of all time.
I didn't see it mentioned that it's a modernization of Pucchini's opera La boheme. The names of characters are pretty easily matched although some have been mixed up a little with the changes in the story.
One Song Glory is one of my favourite musical tracks of all time.
It also gave us Idina Menzel! Crazy to think that without RENT she might not have gotten Frozen or Wicked. I mean, she's amazing and would have found something else that would have brought her to the spotlight but this is what did it.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Dermott Downs , Dana Horgan, Bill Wolkoff
Time: the 24th Century
Place: The USS Enterprise
When the crew of the starship Enterprise sends a song as a signal to a subspace fold, it accidentally generates an “improbability field” that turns everyone into a singer. It is amusing at first but crewmember La’an decides it is a security risk when the crew starts singing about feelings they want hidden. Can the crew overcome this strange scenario or will they say things they might regret?
The musical episode was once a novel gimmick but over the years of many comedies and speculative fiction shows trying a musical episode, it’s become tired. This is not helped by the fact that many series either have good singers but inspired numbers or simply nothing is clicking. I haven’t been watching Strange New Worlds but this one I’ve heard the fans quite like, one of the critically acclaimed series more fun and “kookier” episodes.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): This woman really likes the renaissance festival.
Time: the 24th Century
Place: The USS Enterprise
When the crew of the starship Enterprise sends a song as a signal to a subspace fold, it accidentally generates an “improbability field” that turns everyone into a singer. It is amusing at first but crewmember La’an decides it is a security risk when the crew starts singing about feelings they want hidden. Can the crew overcome this strange scenario or will they say things they might regret?
The musical episode was once a novel gimmick but over the years of many comedies and speculative fiction shows trying a musical episode, it’s become tired. This is not helped by the fact that many series either have good singers but inspired numbers or simply nothing is clicking. I haven’t been watching Strange New Worlds but this one I’ve heard the fans quite like, one of the critically acclaimed series more fun and “kookier” episodes.
Showstopper
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
Had this on my list, Talking Time gets full credit for introducing me to this episode, don't know who originally shared it but thank you to them. I have never seen that 30s style poster, I love it.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner
Time: Edwardian era
Place: London
Henry Higgins is a wealthy phonetician who is approached by a cockney flower girl, Eiza Doolittle, to improve her speech so that she may get better works. After a conversation with a friend, he wagers him he can do her better and pass her off as a proper lady of noble standing with proper elocution lessons. The lessons are draconian but they are met with success when Higgins is able to convince people she’s a Hungarian princess. But when Higgins takes all the credit for Eliza’s hard work, a schism appears and soon Higgins comes to a realization; he loves Eliza Doolittle.
A retelling of Pygmalion, My Fair Lady is among the most iconic musicals to the point I keep forgetting it is from the 50s rather than the 30s (though it is heavily inspired by the 1938 film). The fact is, I’ve never seen this one but I’ve seen so many parodies, it is like Rear Window, where it is SO present that cultural osmosis pretty much makes you feel like you’ve seen it. It premiered with Julie Andrews in the era where she was an unstoppable Broadway darling and is a classic romcom farce of characters a little too pigheaded to realize they are in love.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): Turns out the serpent was a GHOST ALL ALONG.
Time: Edwardian era
Place: London
Henry Higgins is a wealthy phonetician who is approached by a cockney flower girl, Eiza Doolittle, to improve her speech so that she may get better works. After a conversation with a friend, he wagers him he can do her better and pass her off as a proper lady of noble standing with proper elocution lessons. The lessons are draconian but they are met with success when Higgins is able to convince people she’s a Hungarian princess. But when Higgins takes all the credit for Eliza’s hard work, a schism appears and soon Higgins comes to a realization; he loves Eliza Doolittle.
A retelling of Pygmalion, My Fair Lady is among the most iconic musicals to the point I keep forgetting it is from the 50s rather than the 30s (though it is heavily inspired by the 1938 film). The fact is, I’ve never seen this one but I’ve seen so many parodies, it is like Rear Window, where it is SO present that cultural osmosis pretty much makes you feel like you’ve seen it. It premiered with Julie Andrews in the era where she was an unstoppable Broadway darling and is a classic romcom farce of characters a little too pigheaded to realize they are in love.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): Turns out the serpent was a GHOST ALL ALONG.
Oh, I didn’t think of it for the list, but I’m familiar with My Fair Lady via the 1964 movie version with Audrey Hepburn. My mom was a fan of Rex Harrison, who charmingly talked his way through a lot of musicals since he wasn’t really much of a singer.
Sub space Rhapsody is just a super good time, especially if you happen to be a fan of both Star Trek and musicals. And like a good musical, it even manages to advance several ongoing character developments within the show during its songs!
Sub space Rhapsody is just a super good time, especially if you happen to be a fan of both Star Trek and musicals. And like a good musical, it even manages to advance several ongoing character developments within the show during its songs!
"My Fair Lady" was my high school's musical my senior year. Three of my very good friends played Higgins, Eliza, and Pickering. My HS girlfriend was i think a maid or something like an ensemble role. And my best friend was stage manager. My younger sister played flute for the band in that show too.
At this point I had my own car and a job afterschool and although I wanted to help with tech, my parents wouldn't let me off the hook on my car payments and insurance (i was buying the car from my grandmother monthly with no interest). As a consolation prize, I did get to be House Manager.
My major recollection is there were a few set mishaps. There was a couch that rolled in and out and Pickering flopped down on it one too many times and broke one of the wheels off the couch leg. They also had a wide backdrop that rolled out in two pieces that got stuck together or something.
In the end, Pickering and Eliza ended up dating and they eventually got married.
At this point I had my own car and a job afterschool and although I wanted to help with tech, my parents wouldn't let me off the hook on my car payments and insurance (i was buying the car from my grandmother monthly with no interest). As a consolation prize, I did get to be House Manager.
My major recollection is there were a few set mishaps. There was a couch that rolled in and out and Pickering flopped down on it one too many times and broke one of the wheels off the couch leg. They also had a wide backdrop that rolled out in two pieces that got stuck together or something.
In the end, Pickering and Eliza ended up dating and they eventually got married.
Wot a twist!
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Brian DePalma, Paul Williams
Time: 1974
Place: The Paradise
Winslow Leach was an awkward singer-songwriter who had just written a cantata base on Faust but it ends up being stolen by an insidious music executive Swan. Leach’s life is ruined until he loses everything except his love of music and a newfound thirst for vengeance. Hiding out in Swan’s nightclub, the Paradise, Leach begins a campaign of revenge but finds himself once again tricked and taken advantage of by Swan… but at a more terrifying supernatural level. Leach seems beaten but he’s determined to finally beat Swan at his own game… and he’ll need to do it soon before he takes the life of his muse, Phoenix.
An absolutely bonkers film, Phantom of the Paradise is a mix of classic tales of the supernatural, including Faust, The Picture of Dorian Gray and, of course, the Phantom of the Opera. I’ve heard good things but I was not prepared for just how wild this movie was until I saw it. A musical horror comedy, you think you might know where it is going but despite the genre tags, it’s not a movie that feels easily classifiable. The ridiculousness is clear and intentional and there’s a lot of silliness (such as the character Beef) but yet despite a lot of contemporary reviews commenting that it’s pretty broad in its satire, I think it’s striking imagery, bizarre tragic lead and (on first viewing) hard to predict structure makes it more than a “comedy” or a “horror” movie. It’s really a rock opera that is opera heavy, unapologetically going capital “B” Big.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): The flour?
Time: 1974
Place: The Paradise
Winslow Leach was an awkward singer-songwriter who had just written a cantata base on Faust but it ends up being stolen by an insidious music executive Swan. Leach’s life is ruined until he loses everything except his love of music and a newfound thirst for vengeance. Hiding out in Swan’s nightclub, the Paradise, Leach begins a campaign of revenge but finds himself once again tricked and taken advantage of by Swan… but at a more terrifying supernatural level. Leach seems beaten but he’s determined to finally beat Swan at his own game… and he’ll need to do it soon before he takes the life of his muse, Phoenix.
An absolutely bonkers film, Phantom of the Paradise is a mix of classic tales of the supernatural, including Faust, The Picture of Dorian Gray and, of course, the Phantom of the Opera. I’ve heard good things but I was not prepared for just how wild this movie was until I saw it. A musical horror comedy, you think you might know where it is going but despite the genre tags, it’s not a movie that feels easily classifiable. The ridiculousness is clear and intentional and there’s a lot of silliness (such as the character Beef) but yet despite a lot of contemporary reviews commenting that it’s pretty broad in its satire, I think it’s striking imagery, bizarre tragic lead and (on first viewing) hard to predict structure makes it more than a “comedy” or a “horror” movie. It’s really a rock opera that is opera heavy, unapologetically going capital “B” Big.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): The flour?
This movie had me from the first song.
Violentvixen
(She/Her)
Huh, I have never heard of this. Sounds a bit gory for my taste but I appreciate the wacky.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Wolfgang Reitherman, Larry Clemmons, Ken Anderson, Vance Gerry, Frank Thomas, Eric Cleworth, Julius Svendsen, David Michener, George Bruns
Time: 1200s
Place: Nottingham
Prince John is the phony king of England, luxuriating in the wealth collected from the poor by his tax man, the Sheriff of Nottingham. It seems that England itself is doomed to have the downtrodden kept down. But standing in his way is the Robin Hood and his merry men, an army of joyous highwaymen out to steal from John and to give to people he took it from. John is desperate to defeat Robin but can even he keep his head out of the noose?
This is possibly the musical with the least amount of songs on the list outside of the Bugs Bunny features but boy does it set the mood and tell you what this movie is. Disney’s features to this point had been largely musicals but despite literally re-using copious animation from the Jungle Book it feels different. Though the film is set in England, the tone and vibe is pure American South, capturing the same flavour that would make Smokey and the Bandit a hit; the idea of earthy, folksy men of the people against incompetent authoritarians.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): The ghost who walks has chosen his web browser.
Time: 1200s
Place: Nottingham
Prince John is the phony king of England, luxuriating in the wealth collected from the poor by his tax man, the Sheriff of Nottingham. It seems that England itself is doomed to have the downtrodden kept down. But standing in his way is the Robin Hood and his merry men, an army of joyous highwaymen out to steal from John and to give to people he took it from. John is desperate to defeat Robin but can even he keep his head out of the noose?
This is possibly the musical with the least amount of songs on the list outside of the Bugs Bunny features but boy does it set the mood and tell you what this movie is. Disney’s features to this point had been largely musicals but despite literally re-using copious animation from the Jungle Book it feels different. Though the film is set in England, the tone and vibe is pure American South, capturing the same flavour that would make Smokey and the Bandit a hit; the idea of earthy, folksy men of the people against incompetent authoritarians.
Showstopper
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
Time: 1880s
Place: Paris Opéra House
Christine Daaé is a singer of unique quality within the Paris Opera House and she owes it to her Angel of Music. In fact, said angel is in fact the infamous Phantom of the Opera, a strange music obsessed man living under the opera house. A musical genius, the Phantom is possessive of his opera house and of Christine (his own Angel of Music) and wants Christine to be the star of the show and is willing to go to any length to ensure that happens. When his resolve is tested by the Opera House trying to ignore his threats, the Phantom literally brings down the house and takes Christine as his captive!
The Phantom of the Opera was a HUGE hit. Webber seemed to be hitting them out of the park, even Cats, a musical both a smash hit and much mocked in equal measure. But the Phantom is the one that will be on Webber’s tombstone, probably the most recognizable of his works with a major hit title song. I remember back in the day when TV would actually have ads for plays and Phantom had the MOST presence for sure.
Showstopper
Next show (based on the title): Oh, good, he can get my frisbee.
Time: 1880s
Place: Paris Opéra House
Christine Daaé is a singer of unique quality within the Paris Opera House and she owes it to her Angel of Music. In fact, said angel is in fact the infamous Phantom of the Opera, a strange music obsessed man living under the opera house. A musical genius, the Phantom is possessive of his opera house and of Christine (his own Angel of Music) and wants Christine to be the star of the show and is willing to go to any length to ensure that happens. When his resolve is tested by the Opera House trying to ignore his threats, the Phantom literally brings down the house and takes Christine as his captive!
The Phantom of the Opera was a HUGE hit. Webber seemed to be hitting them out of the park, even Cats, a musical both a smash hit and much mocked in equal measure. But the Phantom is the one that will be on Webber’s tombstone, probably the most recognizable of his works with a major hit title song. I remember back in the day when TV would actually have ads for plays and Phantom had the MOST presence for sure.
Showstopper
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Originators: Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, Joseph Stein
Time: 1905
Place: Anatevka
Trevye is a dairyman who values traditions. But traditions become challenged the day that he plans to have his eldest daughter married to a wealthy but older butcher when she loves a tailor named Motel. Eventually he buckles when he is charmed by Motel but he soon finds that his other daughters are finding partners he finds increasingly less palatable. He needs to navigate his valued traditions, his wife, a matchmaker, all while an edict from the tsar is casting out all the Jews in the village.
@Violentvixen
- @Bulgakov
Showstopper
Time: 1905
Place: Anatevka
Trevye is a dairyman who values traditions. But traditions become challenged the day that he plans to have his eldest daughter married to a wealthy but older butcher when she loves a tailor named Motel. Eventually he buckles when he is charmed by Motel but he soon finds that his other daughters are finding partners he finds increasingly less palatable. He needs to navigate his valued traditions, his wife, a matchmaker, all while an edict from the tsar is casting out all the Jews in the village.
@Violentvixen
- @Bulgakov
Showstopper
I was on stage crew for a high school production of this. The movie is also very good.
Johnny Unusual
(He/Him)
Wow, we are past the half-way point already? Well, if you want to make a list, please submit it here. If no one submits, we'll take a month before trying again.
I didn't have this on my list but it did remind me of some interesting six degrees of separation-esque trivia.
The Star Trek Enterprise series featured Scott Bakula as Captain Archer and
[Scott Bakula got] his start in musicals / on Broadway:
Scott Bakula - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
I had Phantom at #21 on my list. It is another musical which has become very ingrained in pop culture with references, homages, parodies and such.
(I had placed Phantom on my list based on how much I liked a particular song ... which I realize is not actually from that musical.)
Yes, but I really question the bizarre decision to give Teyve 4 mechanical arms.
It's just so jarring and anachronistic...
This song has been covered or performed by so many people. None more unexpectedly than professional wrestler Sgt. Slaughter during his appearance on the MTV series Pirate TV.
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