What do you look for in a musical?

[whygodwhytoday]

(OR What makes a great musical, for you?)

I'm not talking about the production aspects of a show - set, lighting, etc... , but the actual libretto and music itself. I've seen great musicals that look underwhelming and musicals that trick you into thinking they're good by the utilizing of genius craftsmanship (Wicked/Lion King/Ghost).

For me, I like a score that is consistent and has numbers that sound seamless and fitting (Sweeney Todd/Carousel/Les Mis/Miss Saigon for example), as well as not shying away from a catchy commercial show tune or two...

I am a sucker for good stories and anything that stands as a text on it's own (a la Blood Brothers/Billy Elliot)...

And I like to see originality and anything that has a unique feel to it (A Chorus Line/Chicago/Company/Cats... why do they all begin with a C ? hmmm... C is for concept... idk)

Then there are musicals which defy all the previous standards I've set above but I just adore anyway (Hairspray/The Phantom Of The Opera/Little Shop Of Horrors).

What things do your favourite musicals have in common? 

Hope you're all well 

XXX

[primitivewallflower]

Singability. In my case, shower-singability.

[Deleted]

For me it has to have a strong story and a great score that matches the story. And of course I love big belty numbers and tunes that you'll be humming for days after seeing it. Spectacular sets and costumes are a nice extra. I have to disagree with you when it comes to Wicked. Although that show's sets, costumes and effects are amazing, I mainly like it for it's good story and incredible score.

[synchrony]

Characters I care about, and a story/score that combine to make me care even more and think about after I've left the theatre.

[greeny11]

For a musical, it's all about the score for me. I want to have at least 2 songs stuck in my head when I leave the theatre. If I can't remember any of the score, it's not done it's job as far as I'm concerned. I'm also far more likely to enjoy a musical with a poor book with a catchy score, than a show with a strong book but dodgy score.