What are your favourite musicals and why?

Thanks all for your reponses so far,


Now as I said, once I got some feedback on the subject, I'd discuss my favourite musicals and just why it is that I appreciate them. As I've said before my favourites include- Les Miserables, Oliver, The King and I and My Fair Lady. It's kinda funny, as I've almost just noticed that all are adaptations or some kind of novel, or play etc... Funny isn't it? Anyway- I'll discuss what I can for now regarding maybe some of these musicals.


LES MISERABLES:

Now you'll be hearing a lot about this musical from me, because it has got to be my favourite of all time. I could sit through a million different productions of this, and listen to different versions on recorded albums- and never tire of it!

Just why - I ask myself? Well I have never read Victor Hugo's novel and I have every intention on doing so when I get my hands on it, nor have I seen the filmic version- so I base my affection for this musical purely on the music by Boublil & Schonberg, the splendid lyrics of Kretzmer and so obviously some of the strong characters which Hugo has created in his novel.

My favourite pieces from this musical include the One Day More, On My Own, Master of the House and Stars.

"One Day More" really symbolizes a certain unity of the human spirit. When portrayed at its utter best, the peformance of the players set against the powerful orchestrations and lyrics which convey such a great determination that will not be forgetten throughout the entire story. In this piece- the situations of various characters fall together so effectively and contribute to the power of the piece. For example, Valjean begins the piece with his reminscience of the past and pondering of what awaits him and I guess he is also thinking Cosette's wellbeing ( if you really read into it), then there's Marius and his newfound love with Cosette who he cannot think to live without; Eponine stands by closely in hope that she will catch the gaze of the man she loves, Marius, but she doesn't - at least, not until "A Little Fall of Rain" where her last desparate moments are in his arms and he realizes that she needs, and even loves him; and Javert is still set on justice and the good of the law- his more human side is shown in "Stars" and of course the Thenardiers- who are still thinking about money and their mouths and "101 different ways to pickpocket the dead". All in all- this piece in my opinion shows strength and determination -a victory in itself of the characters.

"On My Own", is a great piece and the lyrics of Kretzmer are so magical. It's almost like you don't have to know Eponine's life- this piece sums it up and I still get goosepimples whenever I hear it . From this piece- you can see that although she is all alone in the world , that she truly has Marius with her in heart. And I feel "A Little Fall of Rain" adds such a beautiful closure to her story.

"Stars" as I said before shows a human side to Javert; the setting and vision of him alone at night gazing up at the stars, singing to them and unfolding their mysterious beauty while pondering his position in life as lawman and thinking of Valjean and how he can never lose sight of what he must do....

Last, but not least (because I love ALL the songs from Les Mis and can go on and on about them- but would just take up too much space) is the more humorous side to Les Mis , Thenardier's piece "Master of the House" with a little fill in from Mme Thenardier which is cheeky,sarcastic comedy at it's best. This piece shows a human, comedic side to humourous "scum of the earth" like Thenadier, you grow to love him though as he breaks up the dramatic tension in the story. The perfect setting, in an inn with sleazy characters such as the Master himself!! And Mme Thenardier's little walk in, in which she pities herself by telling a comical, cheeky story screams for laugh and applause!



Anyway- I've gone on about this enough already. I'll talk about the other musicals later- if you're all not sleeping already.


The Review Master