The Musicals

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	Celebrate Musical Theatre

So Many Great Musicals

A list of the bests of all time in any subject is debatable and controversial. So there is any of the lists on this site are the best of all time, just great among the best shows. Please pardon me if one of your favorites is missing from the list. I recommend going out of your comfort zone. If you are into modern rock theatre, go see a Rodgers and Hammerstein show; you may be surprised about how much you enjoy it. And vice versa. If you into Andrew Lloyd Webber, go see a Stephen Sondheim musical. And vice versa. There is so many different types of musical theatre shows, so try something new.

1776

The story of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and the Continental Congress put to music. 1776 deals with the struggles that led to the signing of the the Declaration of Independence of the United States. William Daniels played the lead role in both the stage (1969) and screen (1972) versions of the musical, the musical had a revival in 1997. Songs include, “Sit Down John,” “But Mr. Adams,” “He Plays the Violin,” “The Egg,” and “Is Anybody There.” The book takes many liberties with the historical facts about how liberty was won in America, including portraying Caesar Rodney at the edge of death (he was actually a general in the Delaware militia through 1781), Jefferson not having been home in six months (he had just returned from home) and other characters who are inaccurately portrayed. Still, 1776 is an entertaining musical that stirs patriotism within its audience.

Original Cast Recording New Broadway Cast Recording A Musical Play

42nd Street

A girl named Peggy Sawyer moves to New York to perform in the theatre and ends up saving the show within a show, Pretty Lady. With a simple story line, great music and dance routines, it is packed with energy and lots of fun. Songs include “The Lullabye of Broadway,” “42nd Street,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” and “Shuffle Off to Buffalo.” Based on the 1933 film musical of the same name that starred Ruby Keeler, it was performed on Broadway in 1980 starring Jerry Orbach Wanda Richert, and revived in 2001 starring Kate Levering and Christine Ebersole.

Original Broadway Cast Recording Piano/Vocal/Chords

A Chorus Line

It isn’t a typical book musical. It is more than a revue. It is the story of a tryout for dancers, but is the story of every dancer in the tryout. It won nine Tony Awards and is one of the only musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It’s a Chorus Line. It was the longest running show ever on Broadway for over a decade, though that record has been surpassed multiple times since. A Chorus Line was produced, directed, and choreographed by Michael Bennett who understood dancers and was able to bring that out of the performers. To the book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante, Marvin Hamlisch wrote the music and Edward Kleban the lyrics for a score that include, “What I Did For Love,” “At The Ballet,” “One,” “Dance Ten Looks Three,” and a montage that makes us laugh, touches us, and allows us to know the characters a little better each time it is performed.

Original Broadway Cast with Bonus Tracks 2006 Broadway Revival Cast

The Complete Book of the Musical Vocal Selections

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum

It is often referred to with the abbreviated title “Forum,” combining Roman comedy with vaudeville. It is the quintessential musical farce that includes satire, mistaken identity, puns, and sight gags. Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart created a wildly funny book and Stephen Sondheim wrote both the music and lyrics that moved the story along. The best known song from the show is “Comedy Tonight,” a song that started the set the tone for the show and is so well known that if you sing, “Something familiar...,” someone else is sure to sing the next line or hum the tune. The story is about Roman slave, Pseudolus, who is offered his freedom by his young owner, Hero,if he can woo the concubine next door, Philia, for his master. The girl is interested as well, but she has been sold to a renowned warrior, Milo Gloriosus. But Pseudolus is determined to win his freedom and does not give up. And chaos ensues.

Original 1996 Broadway Cast A Musical Comedy Based on the Plays of Plautus

A Little Night Music

CD DVD - Wide Screen

Revised Vocal Score Revised Edition Vocal Selections

Allegro

Allegro was the third and probably the most experimental and innovative of the musicals by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, it was probably also the least well received. It tells the story one man, Joseph Taylor Jr. from his birth until he is 35, including his first steps, the freshman dance, marriage, and many milestones along the way. It had a very good score, but produced no hit songs as the music was intended to focus attention to the story.

Allegro, Original Cast

Annie

The comic strip Little Orphan Annie comes to live in a heartwarming musical by Charles Strouse (music), Martin Charnin (lyrics), and Thomas Meehan (book). Annie is an orphan who dreams of finding her parents. She escapes the orphanage to search for her parents and befriends a stray dog. She is chosen to spend Christmas in the mansion of Daddy Warbucks. Miss Hannigan, her brother Rooster and his girlfriend conspire to use Annie’s good luck to become rich. Daddy Warbucks puts together an all out search for Annie’s parents. Rooster and Lily pose as Annie’s parents, to the skepticism of Daddy Warbucks. President Roosevelt arrives for a visit with information that Annie’s real parents are dead. Rooster, Lily and Miss Hannigan are arrested by the secret service. Daddy Warbucks adopts Annie to much rejoicing.

Andrea McArdle was the first Annie and she set the bar high for future Annies. Annie fills us with hope when singing “Tomorrow,” and breaks our hearts with “Maybe.” Other songs from the show include, “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “ Little Girls,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” “Hard Knock Life,” and “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here,” among others.

Original Broadway Cast 30th Anniversary Production

Vocal Selections Vocal Selections Easy Piano

Annie Get Your Gun

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein were approached with the idea for Annie Get Your Gun by Dorothy Fields. Instead of writing the show themselves or having Rodgers work with Fields, they sought out another composer to write the musical story of how Annie Oakley joined Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show and her rivalry and romance with the shows original star, Frank Butler. The original choice to write the music was Jerome Kern, who died during the creation of the show. So Rodgers and Hammerstein turned to Irving Berlin (not a bad second choice). Berlin and Fields combined to put together some of musical theatre’s most enduring songs, including, “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “They Say It’s Wonderful,” “I Got Lost In His Arms,” “I Got the Sun In Morning,” “They Say Its Wonderful,” “Anything You Can Do,” and “Doing What Comes Naturally.”

Original Broadway Cast Ethel Merman, CD

1999 Broadway Revival Cast Vocal Selections

Anything Goes

The original book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse has been revised many times. Basically, it is the story of Billy Crocker, who stows away on an ocean liner on its way to London from New York to try to win over the love of Hope Harcourt. While Hope is in love with Billy, she is engaged to a much wealthier man. Billy is in disguise and when the disguise is found out, he is mistaken for Public Enemy number one. The story is fun, but the best part of the show is the music and lyrics by Cole Porter. Many of the songs from the show are some of the great standards, including “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “You’re the Top,” “Friendship,” “Let’s Misbehave,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” “All Through the Night,” “It’s De-Lovely,” and “Anything Goes.”

1995 Studio Cast 2011 Revival: Vocal Selections Piano/Vocal/Chords

Applause

Original Broadway Cast

Aspects of Love

Assassins

Original Off-Broadway Cast Assassins: The Musical

Avenue Q

Avenue Q is an R-rated spoof on Sesame Street. The show has both people and puppets, with their puppeteers in full view. The story by Jeff Whitty is about young adults searching for their purpose while facing the uncertainties of life. The show is full of profanity in both the dialogue and music. Many of the funniest moments in the show are in songs by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx like “It Sucks to Be Me,” “The Internet is for Porn,” and “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist.”

Original Broadway Cast Recording Songs from the Hit Broadway Musical

Complete Book and Lyrics Piano/Vocal Selections

Babes in Arms

1989 Cast Recording

Barnum

Original Broadway Cast Recording DVD

Bells Are Ringing

Original 1960 Broadway Cast CD

Brigadoon

Original Broadway Cast 1995 Studio Cast

Piano and Vocal Selections Vocal Score

Bye Bye Birdie

Original Broadway Cast Deluxe Souvenir Edition

Cabaret

Original Broadway Cast 1998 Broadway Cast Vocal Score

Camelot

Camelot is one the classic shows in musical theatre history , with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and the music by Frederick Loewe. It is the adapted story of King Arthur, his Knights of the Roundtable, his bride Guenevere, and the pure Sir Lancelot, who becomes not so pure when he falls in love with Guenevere. The original cast included Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet (in his first Broadway show), Richard Burton, and Roddy McDowell. The brilliant score included, “Camelot,” “What Do the Simple Folks Do,” “If Ever I Would Leave You,” “Fie on Goodness,” “The Lusty Month of May,” and “I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight.”

Original Broadway Cast CD The Stage Musical DVD

Carousel

Original Cast CD 1987 Studio CD 1993 London Cast CD

1994 Broadway Cast CD Vocal Score

Cats

Original Broadway Cast CD Original London Cast CD Vocal Selections

Chicago

Original Cast CD 1996 Broadway Revival Cast CD 10th Anniversary Edition

Company

Original Broadway Cast CD 2007 Broadway Revival Cast CD

2007 Broadway Revival Cast DVD 2007 Broadway Revival Cast Blu-ray

Curtains

Original Broadway Cast Vocal Selections

Crazy for You

Original Broadway Cast Original London Cast Complete Vocal Selections

Damn Yankees

Original Cast CD 1994 Broadway Cast CD Vocal Score

Do Re Mi

Original London Cast 1999 Broadway Cast CD

Evita

Original Broadway Cast CD Original Broadway Highlights CD

Original London Cast CD Music & Complete Libretto Songbook

Fiddler on the Roof

Original Broadway Cast CD Original Soundtrack 30th Anniversary Edition

Vocal Selections Original London Cast

Complete Text with Lyric Easy Piano

Finian’s Rainbow

Original Broadway Cast Vocal Selections

Irish Repertory Theatre Cast CD 1947 Broadway Vocal Selections

Fiorello!

Original Broadway Cast CD

Flower Drum Song

Original Broadway Cast CD 2002 Broadway Cast CD

Funny Girl

Original Broadway Cast CD Piano/Vocal

Gigi

Original Broadway Cast CD

Godspell

Original Off-Off-Broadway Cast CD 40th Anniversary Celebration CD

1993 Studio Cast Vocal Selections

Grease

Original Broadway Cast CD 1994 Broadway Cast CD 2007 Broadway Cast CD

Vocal Score Vocal Selections School Version

Grey Gardens

Original Broadway Cast CD Complete Book and Lyrics Vocal Selections

Guys and Dolls

Original Broadway Cast CD 1995 Jay Studio CD

1992 Broadway Cast CD The Making of the Cast Recording DVD

Vocal Selections Easy Piano Vocal Selections

Gypsy

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections Original London Cast CD

Television Soundtrack CD 2003 Broadway Cast CD 2008 Broadway Cast CD

Hair

Original Broadway Cast CD Original Cast DeluxeCD Original London Cast CD

The Actor's Fund Benefit CD New Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

Hairspray

Original Cast Recording CD

Hello Dolly

Original Cast CD Original Cast Deluxe CD

The Vocal Score Vocal Selections

High Society

Original Broadway Cast CD

HMS Pinafore

D'Oyly Carte Opera Co. CD Malcolm Sargent, CD Ambrosian Opera Chorus DVD

Vocal Score Vocal Score DVD

How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Original Broadway Cast CD 1995 Broadway Cast CD

Vocal Selections 2011 Broadway Cast Recording

Into the Woods

Original Cast CD London Cast CD 2002 Broadway Cast

Vocal Score Vocal Selections DVD

Iolanthe

D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, CD DVD

Vocal Score, with Dialogue Vocal Score Paperback

Jersey Boys

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

Jesus Christ Superstar

Original Cast CD 1996 Studio Cast CD Highlights 1997 London Cast CD

20th Anniversary London Cast CD Highlights: 20th Anniversary London Cast CD

Easy Piano NOOK Book1996 London Stage Production DVD

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Original Broadway Cast CD Original Canadian Cast Recording CD

London Palladium Cast CD Vocal Selections

Easy Piano Piano duet arrangements Donny Osmond, DVD

Kismet

Original Broadway Cast Alfred Drake, CD 1964 Studio Cast Gordon MacRae, CD

1989 British Studio Cast CD 1991 Studio Cast CD

Kiss Me Kate

Original Broadway Cast 1999 Broadway Revival Cast CD

The Complete Vocal Score Vocal Selections

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

Les Miserables

Original Broadway Cast CD Red Ink Complete CD Vocal Selections

Piano Solos Easy Piano Piano Duet Play-Along

10th Anniversary Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall DVD

Mack and Mabel

1974 Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

Mamma Mia

Original Broadway Cast CD 5th Anniversary Edition CD

Vocal Selections Easy Piano

Mame

Original Broadway Cast CD Original Broadway Cast CD

Mary Poppins

Cast CD, Walt Disney Records Vocal Selections Easy Piano

Man of La Mancha

Original Broadway Cast CD New Broadway Cast CD 2001 Studio Cast CD

Vocal Score Paperback NOOK Book (eBook)

Memphis

The 2009 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical, Memphis is the story based loosely on the life Dewey Phillips, one of the first white DJ’s to play black music on the radio, Felicia Farrell, a black singer and his love interest, and her brother Delray and how race impacts their lives and careers. David Bryan wrote the music, Joe DiPietro wrote the book, and they both wrote the lyrics for a very bluesy and exuberant score

Original Broadway Cast CD Complete Book and Lyrics

Merrily We Roll Along

The verify creative show of the story of three friends that goes backward through their lives from the successful careers to their early hopeful days. While it had the shortest run on Broadway of any of Sondheim’s musicals and the show produced no popular songs, the album has some of the best music of any of his musicals.

Original Broadway Cast CD 1992 Leicester Haymarket Theatre Cast CD

Miss Saigon

Original London Cast CD Original London Cast Highlights CD Vocal Selections

My Fair Lady

The musical version of Pygmalion, My Fair Lady is one of the classics of musical theater. Professor Henry Higgins attempts to transform a cockney girl into a lady.

Original Broadway Cast CD Original London Cast CD 2001 London Cast CD

Complete Vocal Score Piano/Vocal/Chords Vocal Selection

No, No, Nanette

1971 Revival Cast CD

Of Thee I Sing

1952 Revival Cast CD

Oklahoma

Original Broadway Cast CD 1979 Broadway Cast CD 1998 Royal National Thtr CD

Complete Book and Lyrics Complete Vocal Score Vocal Selections

Hugh Jackman, Josefina Gabrielle DVD - Wide Screen

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

Original Broadway Cast CD

On the Town

Original Broadway Cast CD

Once Upon a Mattress

Original Broadway Cast CD 1996 Broadway Cast CD Vocal Score

Pal Joey

1950 Studio Cast 1995 Broadway Cast Piano Vocal Selections

Peter Pan

1954 Broadway Cast 1997 Studio Cast

Pippin

1972 Original Broadway CD Vocal Selections DVD

Pirates of Penzance

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Score Vocal Score with Dialogue

Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt, Rex Smith, DVD Anthony Warlow, David Hobson, DVD

The Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, DVD

Porgy and Bess

1935 version CD Leona Mitchell, CD 1988 Studio Cast CD

Diahann Carroll, CD Vocal Selections

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess: A 75th Anniversary Celebration

Promises Promises

New Broadway Cast Recording Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Hayes CD

Ragtime

Original Cast Recording CD Original Cast Recording CD

Complete Vocal Score Vocal Selections Easy Piano

Rent

Original Broadway Cast CD Complete Book and Lyrics Movie Vocal Selections

Vocal Selections DVD - Wide Screen Blu Ray

Seesaw

Original Cast Recording CD

She Loves Me

Original Broadway Cast Album CD 1993 Broadway Revival Cast CD

Show Boat

Lincoln Center CD 1988 Studio Cast CD Vocal Selections

Singin’ in the Rain

1997 Original Broadway Cast CD

Song and Dance

Original Broadway Cast CD

South Pacific

Original Broadway Cast CD 1995 London Cast CD 2008 Broadway Cast CD

Deluxe Souvenir Songbook Songbook Easy Play Piano

Spamalot

Cast Recording CD Vocal Selections Easy Piano

Spring Awakening

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

Libretto Notes of the Lyrics

Sunday In the Park With George

Original Cast CD 2006 London Revival Cast CD

Vocal Selections DVD

Sweeney Todd

Original Broadway Cast CD Original Broadway Cast CD 2005 Broadway Cast CD

Vocal Selections Vocal Selections In Concert, DVD

Sweet Charity

Original Broadway Cast CD New Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

The Color Purple

Original Broadway Cast CD Piano/Vocal

The Drowsy Chaperone

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

The Fantasticks

1960 Original Off Broadway Cast CD 2006 Off Broadway Recording CD

Illustrated Text & Scrapbook Complete Vocal Score Vocal Selections

The Amazing Story / Fantasticks Vocal Selections Try To Remember DVD

The King and I

Original 1951 Cast CD 1964 Broadway Cast CD 1977 Broadway Cast CD

2000 London Cast CD Souvenir Folio Vocal Selections

The Mikado

Charles Mackerras, CD Groucho Marx, CD Complete Vocal Score

Vocal Score DVD DVD

The Music Man

Original Broadway Cast CD Original London Cast CD

Vocal Selections Vocal Selections

The Pajama Game

Original Broadway Cast CD Original London Cast CD

The Phantom of the Opera

Original London Cast CD Piano Voice Selections

Vocal Selections Intermediate Piano Solos Easy Adult Piano

The Producers

Original Cast CD The Story Behind the Show Vocal Selections

The Sound of Music

50th Anniversary Edition CD 1988 Studio Cast Complete Book and Lyrics

Vocal Selections Vocal Selections Souvenir Edition Piano Solos

They’re Playing Our Song

Original Cast CD Original London Cast CD

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

Victor Victoria

Original Broadway Cast CD Vocal Selections

DVD - Wide Screen Blu-ray - Wide Screen

West Side Story

West Side Story has an innovative score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It is basically the story of Romeo and Juliet adapted by Arthur Laurents who set it in 1950’s New York, but Romeo is named Tony and Juliet is Maria and the families feuding families have been replaced with street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Songs from West Side Story are among some of the best known songs in American musical history and include, ”Something's Coming,” “America,” ”Maria,” ”Somewhere,” ”Tonight,” ”Jet Song,” ”I Feel Pretty,” ”A Boy Like That,” ”One Hand, One Heart,” “Cool,” and “Gee, Officer Krupke.”

Original Broadway Cast CD 1997 Studio Cast, CD

Original Broadway Cast & Original Movie Soundtrack CD

Intermediate Piano Solos Vocal Score Vocal Selections

Where’s Charley

The musical version of Charley’s Aunt, Where’s Charley was a popular musical in the late 40’s and through the 50’s often overlooked nowadays. It is the story of Charley who goes to great lengths to overcome the obstacles that stand between him and his love for Amy, including disguising himself as his own aunt to fool Amy’s greedy uncle and guardian, Mr. Spettigue. The book by George Abbott is hilarious and the music and lyrics by Frank Loesser include, “Once In Love With Amy,” made popular by Ray Bolger. Other songs include, “Make an Miracle,” “Better Get Out of Here,” and “The Gossips.”

White Christmas