[Chi]

I can't believe no one has asked this yet.

Which is your favorite ALW musical and why? They "Why" part is important. Don't just name a musical and leave it at that, please.

Chi

[Pasty]

I really like Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. I think its rather solid all the way through. I'm also a fan of Sunset Blvd, but unfortunately the repetitive score kills it.

[Belle]

1) Starlight Express
2) Cats

both because of the huge amount of imagination that went into both shows. ALW's personal input in the shows is fairly low down the list of what makes them special, both shows have some gorgeous melodies but that's not the main point. It's the very concepts, anthropomorphisation of pretty unlikely subjects. The costume and set designs, casting, choreography, using roller skates in Starlight, both shows are unique. I love the subplot and multiple layers of the shows, the vivid characters, how so much is left to conjecture and imagination.

I like plenty of his other shows, particularly Whistle, Beautiful Game, Phantom, but they're very good musicals in a field of hundreds of good musicals, whereas Cats and Starlight Express are so different to anything else. I quite accept what I love about these shows plenty of others see as gimmicks, stupid, and not true Theatre. I disagree, but I do see where they're coming from. But I love them!

[B3TA07]

Sunset Boulevard.

[PAMIE]

The Phantom of the Opera
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
Evita
Whistle down the wind

[Jemima57]

My favorite ALW show is Cats. The show is very imaginative, costumes are gorgeous, I love the dance, how performers behave like cats, and of course the songs.

Then, I also love very much Starlight Express. Also very imaginative.

[RainbowJude]

Which is your favourite ALW musical and why? As a text, my favourite is Jesus Christ Superstar. I think it is an immensely insightful and complex deconstruction of the Christian gospel narrative. As a piece of live theatre, none of the other productions matches the absolute immediacy and energy between actors and audience than Cats - seeing that show was an experience I'll never forget.

Later days
David

[jcstar]

I have to go with Jesus Christ Superstar.

I agree with what David says (about Rice's lyrics) but the music is great as well. I also love hearing how people were "offended" by the show/record, and reading about the protests and such that happened.

It was also the first music I remember hearing (at age 3). From then on, I was hooked and got heavily into reading the Bible and studying religion and theology as I got older.

JCS has formed my opinions about Christ, Iscariot, Magdalene, Pilate and other characters. I love the complexity of the show, and how you can talk about it for hours on end.

It's a timeless piece of work.

Andy.

[flying_pigs]

Phantom and Starlight Express, I just really like them better than his other work!

[Salome]

Aspects of Love. its actually quite good for Webber..it has a lovely score and some oft he best lyrics in a Webber show post-Rice.

The characters are well drawn , the emotional level in the show is high and its well balanced.

[Jim Colyer]

Webber has only one good song per show, and we all know what they are. The Chess musical written by Tim Rice and the B's from ABBA offers many good songs.

[B3TA07]

Good one.

[RainyCrystal]

The Phantom of the Opera.
I loved the story since the first time I got to know it, long before even knowing the musical existed, and when I discovered the musical, I just fell in love w/ it. I love the story, the characters, the music, everything. Right now, I can easily say that I'm obsessed w/ it. There's just something about this show that keeps drawing me to it.

~Sissi

[Dvarg]

Evita

It is a clever satire on show business and politics. It has very inspired music, and inventive lyrics. Staged right, it is very unsentimental, and shows that ALW shows can say something with substance.

[fender_outta_hock]

Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar by a long way.

[MrsJemimaMistoffelees]

The Phantom of the Opera is my favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. It is because of the tragically beautiful love story, the gorgeous and heart touching music. Of course, I also love the sets and the costumes. It was also the first musical full scale professional production I saw live, so it has a special place in my heart.

Veel Liefs,
Jemima

[RainbowJude]

[jcstar]

I understand. As a lyricest, I always refer to the lyrics/book as "text" keeping the music side of it seperate. That's done by my co-writer(s).

Andy.

[purplepolkadot]

Phantom!

[happyguava]

[Lastnightoftheworld]

Starlight Express, because it was the first musical I ever saw when I was a kid. Also Phantom, just because the music is so amazing.

[Chavaleh]

Jesus Christ Superstar. There's just no contest. JCS has an exciting, youthful energy that is just lacking in ALW's more recent work---JCS happened before ALW became successful (and developed one hell of an ego), and there's nothing pretentious or commercial or grandiose about it. It's a simple story with wonderful music that was truly revolutionary for its time (I mean, how many Broadway musicals had protesters outside the theater on opening night?). So yeah. Phantom of the Opera, Cats, etc. just can't hold a candle to JCS.

[BroadwayBud]

[quote="Chi"]I can't believe no one has asked this yet.

Which is your favorite ALW musical and why? They "Why" part is important. Don't just name a musical and leave it at that, please.

Chi[/quote]

The Phantom of the Opera. I just saw it on Wednesday on Broadway for the first time. It was amazing! The story, the music, the staging, the sets - after 18 years, they are still captivating!

[Gwen]

CATS, all the way.
The jellicle ball is one of my absolute favorites, and it doesn't have any lyrics. It stands completely on it's own. I also think it would have been able to run a lot longer than it did on Broadway. But then, isn't it still the longest running show anyway, even if it's not on Broadway? I mean, the tours and everything!
But I feel I must also point out that if you like CATS for the costuming, then wouldn't the credit go to John Napier? (Although, overall, it was ALW's idea in the first place....)

[theatregeek]

Such a difficult question, given that I love most of his work. If I had to narrow it down to one, it would be Phantom. I love the book anyway, but the musical is amazing, the costumes, sets, music, everything. Just a fanatstic show.

[Reds]

Wow this is so hard to choose, but I think I love The Phantom Of The Opera the best. The story is amazing and each musical number flows through the whole story.

[Tiny-Tot]

I would choose Cats. I love all the musical numbers in it. And the dancing is so amazing.

[What Is This Feeling?]

hmmm good topic. I have to say, so far, my favorite one is The Phantom of the Opera. I absolutely think that was the best show ever written by anyone, lol. The Phantom of the Opera could fairly be called the most succesful musical in the world. Now, being the longest running Broadway show in history. Being in like the top 5 longest running musicals on the West End Stage in London. The score is lush, and beautiful. The set is absolutely gorgeous and the costumes are phenomonal. I was blown away when I saw it on Broadway. That's why I must say: The Phantom of the Opera is the best ALW show.

[matonad44]

Evita

I love the music. I love the story. I love Patti

[What Is This Feeling?]

[What Is This Feeling?]

[crluvalotbear]

hardest question ever!!!

i'd have to say...evita...

it's one of the few shows in the world that i can listen to every single song and not be bored for a second.

i also adore cats and the phantom of the opera and aspects of love and joseph and the technicolor dreamcoat and jesus christ superstar and starlight express and sunset boulevard and everything

[Da_Dark_Dude]

phantom - no contest - first round knockout.

Steve

[Sweeney Hyde]

1. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
2. SUNSET BLVD.
3. EVITA
4. WOMAN IN WHITE

I HATE CATS!!! I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CAN LIKE IT?!?!? IT HAS ABOSULTELY NO POINT!!

deep breath in deep breath out 12345678910 Deep breath in Deep breath out

[shakalakababy]

Phantom just because it was what made me fall in love with musical theatre and still holds a special place in my heart.

I do love JCS though

[krisavalon]

[Pawzxx]

lol, cats...carbucketty is my homeboy!

Its not that cats is really deep and meaningful like phantom...its just that its a colourful ride of great singing, amazing dancing, brilliant cossies and sets!

XD

[crluvalotbear]

exactly...and most theater snobs aren't open to that kind of pure entertainment without a second layer

[sopranodespair]

Phantom. I love everything about it. The music is beautiful and the story is really romantic and dark at the same time

[Jordan]

Phantom, the melodies, the sadness of the Phantom himself... I canot find fault with the show when performed well.

[Yip1982]

I know I've reiterated this elsewhere, but I could mention CATS as my first-tier favourite of the Lloyd-Webber shows. I know it might not have the substance of POTO, but I feel that there is a certain heart and sincerity that makes this show wrap itself around me like Jennyanydots' tabby coat.

[Salome]

[Pounce]

[Salome]

I'd rather be a theatre snob and know good theatre than be oblivious to good theatre.

[pish123c]

[Set_Buildin_Dad]

Phantom is my favorite.

Second choice is Evita.

[actionjaxson91]

Evita & Sunset Boulevard

[Mara]

[Vice]

[Guinevere]

To start things off, I will say I am a person that actually did like "Cats". Obviously there's no real story going on there or anything, but just for an enjoyable 2 hours for me, it was fine. I liked watching a show that was all song and dance (I am a dancer - so that helps with that opinion a little, I guess). I enjoy the music. I do DETEST "Memory", though!!!

Anyway, back onto the subject. My favorite ALW musicals:

1. Phantom
2. JCS
3. Aspects of Love

I enjoyed "Phantom" so much because I liked the drama of the story. I liked the drama of the story because I absolutely LOVED the novel!!! Third favorite book of all time! Anyway, I know that the story isn't exactly the same as the novel (characters cut out), but the premise is. I like the sweeping music that fills the show. I absolutely LOVED the gorgeous sets and costumes. I personally thought that I had not experienced a better time in the theatre (with "Sweeney Todd" being a close second!!).

By the way, don't ever sit in the first few rows if you want NOT know how they "do" what they are doing on stage. That completely spoils the "tricks" of the show! The first time I saw it, I was mesmerized. The second time I saw it, I, unfortuantely, got 2nd row (just by chance of whatever they gave you with advanced orders) and I saw EVERYTHING that I really didn't care to see!!!! I know their "secrets" now!

[Xxmcfly85xX]

Phantom of the Opera - Just because I think it's beautiful.

[jelliclesongs]

Cats is my number one favourite musical of all time let alone out of ALW works. Everything about it is enchanting, I've seen it live 5 times (6 come November) and to me nothing live has ever compared to it, I honestly well up at the overture when I hear it live... amazing. I started liking it when I was 7 and it was my dad's favourite musical and his dad's favourite musical so there's a lot of history there. It is truly magic.

I also have a lot of time for Jesus Christ Superstar too. Heaven on their Minds and Gethsemane are two of the best SONGS never mind musical songs I've ever heard and I love the character of Judas, not to mention my parents both know Zubin Varhla who played him in... 1996? he's on that recording anway. He also used to go to my youth theatre. Sentimentality!

[santtu]

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

It just seems to have it all: great story, wonderful score, stunning sets & costumes...

I've seen it about 20-25 times and it just doesn't get boring to me.

I also like SUNSET BOULEVARD but I've never seen it on stage.