Some years ago, I was witness to a high school production of ‘Guys And Dolls’, which took the brilliant step of having Big Julie (a big ol’ Mafioso man in the 1955 movie production) played by a woman, due to a lack of teenage male theatre kids. It was a really well-done take, one which made me appreciate the song and dance aspect of the musical without Sinatra and Brando distracting me, making it one of my favorite memories of live theatre. Though Rodrigo may never forgive me, I’m a sucker for a modern jukebox musical (‘Moulin Rouge’ is a fave-rave at my house), leading to occasional dissonance and also today’s Gilbert-and-Sullivany query…
The MS-QOTD (pronounced, as always, “misquoted”) had a long and intense love affair with ‘Rent’, but currently has ‘Godspell’ permanently saved in my DVR, asking: What’s your fave-rave bit of musical theatre?
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The Rocky Horror Picture Show, both the live stage version and the 70’s movie (I have not seen the FOX made for TV version from a year or so ago).
Honorable mention to the musical episode of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, “Once More with Feeling”, which is my favorite musical episode of a TV series.
I’m not a huge fan of musicals, be it film or theater, but give me something absurd like Rocky Horror or Little Shop of Horrors and I’m more than willing to overlook my dislike of musicals. You might even catch me singing along, something I rarely do outside the shower when I screech off-key to classic rock.
The Devil’s Hands are Idle Playthings episode of Futurama with its opera is great. Also, Newsies.
If Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker or Thriller counts, its those. Otherwise, I’m really not a musical guy, never seen a single one that’s truly appealed to me. Batman Brave and the Bold Music Meister episode was funny as a comedy but I’ll take my music and theater not mixed or stirred.
I’d count a music video with a backstory as a musical, sure. It’s the MS-QOTD, no answer is wrong if you can justify it…
Currently it’s Mel Brooks’ The Producers. It may have something to do with the fact that I’m an accountant by profession and a theatre lover by hobby.
Speaking of Sinatra, and of the old Rat Pack movies are a joy to watch over and over. Especially “Robin and the 7 Hoods” with the boys alongside Bing and Columbo..
While not Musical Theatre per se, I am a HUGE fan of Wagnerian Opera.
I am particularly partial to the Ring Cycle and have seen all four operas of :
Der Ring des Nibelung multiple times.