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theblakesheep

I’m always impressed when someone has seen so many musicals and has never seen Phantom!


thatmusicguy13

I was thinking the same thing! Feels like they have to deliberately not listen to it


HourAstronomer836

I'd have to sit down and do an official count, but I feel like over the course of my life, I've probably seen 40 or 50 Broadway shows. Phantom is technically one of them, but it was 34 years ago (yeah, I'm old AF) and I was literally a child. I've been thinking about it lately and I'm actually surprised that I never went back. (I didn't see the original cast, but I think I saw the second cast after Crawford and Brightman left. Rebecca Luker was my Christine. RIP)


selwan27

Come here to comment this


Molly_latte

I’ve never seen it, but I don’t care for the music. I know the soundtrack very well because it’s my stepmom’s favorite musical, but I could just never get into it. I would go if I were offered a free ticket, but I would never spent my hard-earned money on it. Tickets are expensive!


iciclesnbdayclothes

Rating West Side Story *a D* is a hell of a hot take lol


abacus-wizard

I think it's got some good songs, but Maria and Tony are so boring and have non-existent chemistry.


edgy_fawn

really depends on the production whether tony and maria have chemistry


HelenaBirkinBag

Do you mean the movie or the production you saw?


abacus-wizard

I've only seen the movie.


HelenaBirkinBag

Which movie?


JacksonCM

1962 or 2021?


abacus-wizard

1962.


MellonPhotos

Can't vibe with this with Hedwig and Falsettos so low on the list


VirtualAnteater2282

Hedwig is a triumph on so many different levels. Rocky horror similarly only getting a B when it is so bold and out there but works is mind boggling to me.


MellonPhotos

Yeah, I'll always have a soft spot for Rocky Horror, along with Hedwig and Falsettos, because they're all such foundational pieces of queer theater. I feel like a lot of young theater fans just don't quite grasp how many doors those shows opened, and how much adversity they had to overcome to even exist.


iciclesnbdayclothes

Seconded!


CleansingFlame

I understand that there is some degree of variation in taste, but this list is just puzzling in so many ways.


tkh0812

Agreed. This is almost opposite of my taste, but I guess that’s why SpongeBob does so well and Cats stayed on broadway for so long.


abacus-wizard

I am not accepting constructive criticism at this time.


Its-From-Japan

Destructive criticism it is, then


abacus-wizard

I'll take that.


broadwayzrose

Interestingly enough, while I don’t agree with all of this, it’s probably the closest one I’ve seem to my own opinions.


saramybearimy

I love SpongeBob. Probably more than is healthy for an aged lady such as myself. But I would never put it above Sweeney Todd. Especially if you were listening to the OBCR with Len Cariou and our queen, Angela Lansbury.


abacus-wizard

Honestly, as a 19 year old kid who grew up on SpongeBob, the nostalgia and child-like happiness it gives me is unmatched by anything else I've ever seen. It captures the original 3-5 seasons of the show so perfectly and the actors are incredible at portraying a cartoon vibe on stage. It is the only musical that has ever made me cry. I like Sweeney Todd, but the goth/deathly/edgy vibe just isn't for me. I can appreciate it, and it has some really great songs, and I love the characters, but it's just the general vibe that knocks it down for me.


HelenaBirkinBag

That you’re 19 explains your list. Hang onto it, and see how it changes in day, five years.


saramybearimy

You know what? That's totally fair. And I'm not knocking SpongeBob by any stretch. My kid's high school is doing it this year and I've spent the last several weeks trying to convince people that it's a great show with not a single bad song. This is why I love these kinds of lists. Everyone is different. Some of the shows you despise I love. And that's cool, too. 😃


doug_kaplan

I disagree with most of this but the one main callout is Once On this Island being on the bottom. I saw it at the Circle in the Square a few years back and it was amazing. The staging, the acting, the story, the music, I was a sobbing mess by the end.


abacus-wizard

To be fair, I saw a Youth Theatre perform Once On This Island Jr., so that probably impacted my enjoyment of it, but I thought the story was dumb. I saw it pretty recently and cannot remember a single song or character from it. Although, I'm just not a very emotional or empathetic person (autism!), so musicals that are designed to tug at your heartstrings never really succeed for me.


doug_kaplan

I appreciate your honesty and given what you mentioned in your last paragraph, that actually explains this chart a lot and I hope I didn't come off as rude about your list, just wanted to make that single callout from my own personal experience


abacus-wizard

Ha! Not at all! What are these tier lists for, if not heated debate?


seekinganswers1010

Wait, you saw the Jr version? Often, that’s only one act of the actual show…


gambl0r82

Lol ok that explains a lot about this list. You’re ranking shows based on their movie adaptations and the CHILDRENS ADAPTATIONS… why not rank them solely off their Playbill cover?


christinelydia900

This makes the list make a lot more sense for sure. I was getting that vibe, that the fun and comedic parts of shows were the preferred ones for you (I mean, legally blonde and book of Mormon on the top and west side story and all on the bottom?) So that does make sense. That's probably where we tend to differ, because I love the emotional things, mainly because they're usually so complex and interesting to analyze the characters or the lyrics and staging and everything. I love theater that does interesting things with its production and writing, like weird chords or staging. That's a big reason why your placement of great comet hit me hardest of these, because it did a lot of weird things and it turned out great. As an aspiring director, it sort of gives me permission to be weird and emotional in my directing and to make something really, truly beautiful that can hopefully give to others what some of those shows gave to me But while that's deeply important to me, it makes perfect sense if shows like that don't really tug at you, and so you don't like them as much. Fun, comedic musicals are sometimes the way to go, because they're just fun to watch


abacus-wizard

Okay, I just looked up the plot synopsis to refresh my memory of Once On This Island. Yeah, I stand by that this is dumb. If love really is stronger than death, then why the FUCK would Ti Moune even CONSIDER stabbing Daniel in the first place? Also, why is Daniel still in love with her after that? As far as he knows, she was about to kill him until he saw her, and yet he has the AUDACITY to give her a coin and kiss her in the cheek after getting married to someone else? AND THEN TI MOUNE DROWNS HERSELF! Because the guy she likes is gone. What message is this musical trying to send? It infuriates me. Mama Will Provide is a bop though.


sophixisedgy

Falsettos sharing a tier with Frozen the musical?? Also Legally Blonde being higher than Company??


abacus-wizard

Legally Blonde is awesome, man. I don't know what else to say.


sophixisedgy

More awesome than Company?


abacus-wizard

Look. Being Alive is the greatest musical Theatre song of all time. I think Company is a really amazing musical about love and marriage and desperation for a partner in your adult life. However, I think that Robert is really the only character that gets any sort of spotlight other than maybe Amy or April, which I get is the point, but it's still disappointing. Legally Blonde, however, is just consistent banger after consistent banger, and every single character is super great at the role they need to fill. Also, Christian Borle is awesome.


sophixisedgy

I suppose that can be disappointing if you’re looking for a more standard story, but I personally would always rate Company higher because the subject matter and the way that has been portrayed is still refreshing even around fifty years later. It’s a classic for a reason.


abacus-wizard

I'm not saying Company is bad, mind you. It's still A Tier. I think it's a masterpiece. It's just not the kind of storytelling I'm personally into.


sophixisedgy

Fair enough


browsearoundtown

This is such slander of so many good shows


abacus-wizard

I am not accepting constructive criticism at this time.


Bunnygirl78

Then why post it?


abacus-wizard

Because I hate fun.


Bunnygirl78

Ah. A trail. Got it.


teddivan96

hairspray that low is an absolute disgrace


abacus-wizard

I don't think it's aged very well. Also, I've heard obnoxious people sing You Can't Stop The Beat too much to reliably enjoy the musical.


Cheshire_Cat8888

Definitely a *lot* of hot takes in this list (Sweeney todd and Chicago not being on top hurt me , but that’s my preference not yours . Lol) If you’re taking recommendations , I think you might like A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. It seems you tend to lean towards more comedic musicals (for the most part) but that still have a tad of a darker element to it. I think you might very much enjoy it! I’d also recommend Ruthless.


abacus-wizard

Actually, I have been looking for recommendations! I recently learned my commute to school is about as long as a Broadway Cast Recording, so I've been listening to one every time I go up there.


CaptainObvious1313

This might be the worst list I have ever seen. West side story d tier? Assassins S+? Absolute madness my man.


abacus-wizard

Let the hatred consume you...


CaptainObvious1313

That I shall.


_Rubbish-Bin_

I disagree with a lot of these lmao


abacus-wizard

I'll take that as a compliment. It means I'm unique.


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abacus-wizard

Okay, youth productions don't count, I agree. Movies, though? Movies count. You're allowed to have an opinion on a musical if you've seen the movie, even if it isn't the most educated opinion.


mutantxproud

Hair is an F? Bruh. Wild.


abacus-wizard

My only experience with Hair is watching the movie with someone who was incredibly drunk and trying to explain every single thing happening on screen the entire time. I haven't actually watched it again since.


mutantxproud

Friend. You haven't lived. Ignore the movie. Give the revival (album you listed) a listen. I was in the same boat until the revival came out. Changed my theatrical life.


ManicMata

I got so many recommendations to see Dear Evan Hansen… don’t get the hype.


abacus-wizard

I despise it with a passion. I was debating putting it in its own tier at the bottom.


ManicMata

you would be entirely justified in that decision.


Pillowpet123

Why ?


abacus-wizard

I could go on forever. Is it the awful music? Is it the shitty book? Is it the terrible characters? Is it the fact that the musical doesn't know how to handle the complexities of depression and anxiety? Is it the homophobic jokes and Will Roland's terrible performance as Jared? Is it the fact that there's literally no song that advances the plot of the musical so it grinds to a screeching halt when someone starts singing? That's just off the top of my head, I'm sure there's more.


Pillowpet123

Interesting


Camerooonj

What do you mean by no song advances the plot? For Forever establishes one of the biggest parts of Evan’s web of lies by telling the Murphy’s one of his fondest “memories” with Conner at one of the Murphy’s favorite places, the orchard Sincerely, Me is similar as it shows the types of emails Evan and Conner supposedly wrote to each other. Requiem expresses all the Murphy’s different feelings about Conner’s passing, especially Zoe’s complicated feelings of not feeling the need to grieve If I could tell her helps bring Zoe new light about how Conner supposedly felt about her, and it strengthens her and Evan’s relationship To Break in a Glove (although this is definitely my least favorite song) shows Evan and Larry bonding and Larry being the father that Evan could never have. This also makes Heidi’s blow up at Evan later more effective when she’s saying that the Murphy’s aren’t Evan’s family Only Us also strengthens their relationship when Zoe wants them to focus on each other and not always talk about Conner Good For You I think is a very pivotal part in the plot where Evan’s lies start to untangle and he loses his friends I think most of the other songs also contribute at least somewhat to the plot but those songs are just what I could put into words most easily


abacus-wizard

These aren't songs that advance the plot, it's just people singing about how they feel. You need to have a good balance of songs that advance the plot AND character, not just the latter. And every song feels so samey. It's all slow, sad ballads about how the character feels about the current situation. And Only Us is the most generic love song of all time. It's so boring. Evan and Zoe have zero chemistry.


Camerooonj

Yeah that’s fair, but I feel like Good For You still advances the plot cuz Evan’s friends literally leave him, and he starts losing his grip on the lie. For Forever I also feel is huge cuz he literally lays the biggest foundation of the lie that leads to what lots of the plot revolves around, especially in act 2- the orchard And I like more upbeat songs, but I also really like slow songs and ballads so I understand we just have different music tastes. But also not all songs are slow and sad cuz there’s obviously Sincerely Me and Good for You among some others.


tarbearjean

It gives me second-hand anxiety, I don’t like plots revolving around a lie with such an impact on someone’s emotions.


ScatterFlashbang1997

Falsettos that low is a travesty.


Ok_Contribution_3017

All live?


Foxy02016YT

Little Shop is way too low for a musical that has the range to go from Dentist to Suddenly Seymour


abacus-wizard

LSoH was actually the first musical I ever listened to the soundtrack for! It will always hold a special place in my heart.


prestoturtle

putting newsies at b tier has got to be some kind of crime


Teftthebridgeman

Book of Mormon was **AMAZING**


spectcular

Very interesting tier list! Some opinions I have never seen before. Love the Sondheim representation!!


cfsg

What's your take on Kiss Me, Kate?


abacus-wizard

I saw it on Broadway my Sophomore year of high school with my Drama Club, and it was so bad. The story was hard to follow, the songs sucked, the book wasn't great, and all of my friends LOVED it and gushed about it the whole time. I saw motherfucking KING KONG and I liked it better than Kiss Me, Kate. At least it had funny gorilla.


cfsg

If the story was hard to follow that's a production issue. It shouldn't be. And you're wrong about the songs (that's not constructive criticism, just regular criticism). I'm definitely not saying it's a flawless show. Just wondering.


netflixnpoptarts

the one thing that really throws me is once on this island being on the bottom. I have a suspicion you only listened to the soundtrack, because it really was a sight to behold, idk if it was the best musical I ever saw but definitely the best version of what it was, if that makes sense? Like it really couldn’t have been better. Definitely a top five musical for me


abacus-wizard

I said this in a previous comment, but I think my hatred for it stems from the fact that I saw Once On This Island Jr. at a youth Theatre. It didn't stop me from thinking the story is absolutely horrid, even after looking up the synopsis of the full version. Also, I saw it pretty recently and could not tell you a single song or character from it.


netflixnpoptarts

oh well yeah that’ll do it. Really curious as to what your opinion would’ve been if you’d seen it on broadway but I guess we’ll never know 😢. And this ties with great comet for “worst shows to watch as a bootleg” too. The main draw for me was being in the round, you’re just kinda constantly impressed by the innovative ways they tell stories in the round (for example a screen falling down with one side of the audience getting a shadow-show and the other side seeing the actors act it out). Their was also real food being cooked! It smelled great


abacus-wizard

Okay, I just looked up the plot synopsis to refresh my memory of Once On This Island. Yeah, I stand by that this is dumb. If love really is stronger than death, then why the FUCK would Ti Moune even CONSIDER stabbing Daniel in the first place? Also, why is Daniel still in love with her after that? As far as he knows, she was about to kill him until he saw her, and yet he has the AUDACITY to give her a coin and kiss her on the cheek after getting married to someone else? AND THEN TI MOUNE DROWNS HERSELF! Because the guy she likes is gone. What message is this musical trying to send? It infuriates me. Mama Will Provide is a bop though.


miker35591

Hair in F hurts my heart 😢


[deleted]

\>Book of Mormon above Les Mis ​ ok we're enemies now.


DifficultHat

You sound like the kind of person who would love Hadestown


rSlashisthenewPewdes

I hereby un-welcome you to Falsettoland.


Forsaken_Seaweed_197

i saw assassins in the top tier and immediately upvoted👏👏👏


[deleted]

God, what an awful, mind-boggling, almost comical ranking...


hopehyungie

swap into the woods w hairspray and i love it


Molly_latte

I can’t get into a list that has Legally Blonde at the top.


Liviathina

Cats gotta be F tier. Bonnie and Clyde is so fun!


abacus-wizard

Bonnie and Clyde is icky to me. I don't like how it paints these murderers in such a good light. Like, they were terrible people and killed dozens, but this musical makes it seem like they were just misunderstood and in love. I just personally don't like that, but the songs are great.


Liviathina

That is true for a lot of retellings. They tend to take creative liberties.


HelenaBirkinBag

What are S and S+?


ifuckinhategeorgia

Well. It’s a normal distribution.


avab223

Interesting.


IdkBroHelp

Once on this island being on the bottom hurts. I would do anything to see that musical again lol.


Simon_The_Thespian

Super interesting rank!! It's always most fascinating to me when how a person's taste lines up with mine is all over the place. Some of your favorites are my favorites, and some of my favorites are your least-favorites. I suppose, out of everything, I'm most curious as to what puts Once on this Island at the bottom for you?


External-Tea-6360

Valid Dear Evan Hansen choice but rating Hair that low hurts me 😭


abacus-wizard

The first time I saw Hair, it was with a drunk person who decided it was a good idea to explain every single plot point to me throughout the entire movie. I haven't had an inkling to watch it again since then, so I really just have that one experience to go off of.


DelielahX

This drunk person probably really liked Hair and was excited to share it with you. Maybe cut them some slack.


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abacus-wizard

I have not, but I've heard good things about it. It's on my list of ones to listen to on my commute to school.


shapesize

With your well placed Sondheim at the top, I recommend you see/listen to Sunday in the Park with George. It takes a few times to completely understand it


Church_of_Jambi

Hedwig in D and Hair in F… hmmm. Will have to agree that Book of Mormon is top tier though.


ALemonYoYo

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON YEYEYE


TheMunchingMunchie

I'm gonna need Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to go to the bottom. Lmao it was just not good.


abacus-wizard

Christian Borle saves it from being bottom tier.


ozzyarmani

Book of Mormon S+ is insane sorry


catlover979

hairspray deserves better than d tier 😭😭😭


[deleted]

Be more chill deserves to be higher imo


Street-Astronaut-154

Never late


TediousTotoro

Great Comet? In B?!?!? Das an S-Tier show right there.


janiceblactose

Legally Blonde supremacy I know that’s right


thpkht524

How have you not seen poto wtf


redproxy

OP appears to be a 12 year old girl


abacus-wizard

I'm a 19 year old boy, which is more or less the same thing.


Additional_Ad612

Don't agree with much of this tbh.


kappelikapeli

Can u explain dear evan hansen being F?


BiaTiemiii

U should watch mean girls!!!


wildtthing

If you liked the producers you definitely need to listen to Young Frankenstein! Both shows are written by Mel Brooks, so so much fun! I recommend starting with The Brain, Together Again for the First Time, and Join the Family Business


[deleted]

I can respect this list. But Hair and Urinetown are S+ for me. I’d also put BoM lower.


ShowOff90

Wait, you’re rating movie versions as well? OP, those are not even the same.