[Sweeney Hyde]

I know this was a thread...but I thought this would give us a quicker and more visual idea of what is the favorite ALW show.

[Sweeney Hyde]

The Phantom of the Opera is my favorite show ever. Les Miserables and Sweeney Todd are close seconds though. Phantom introduced me to real musical theatre...I will always be eternally gratefull to it.

[Mimi Marquez]

Either Evita or Phantom of the Opera.... but I voted for Evita

[Salome]

Wheres Aspects of Love damn it!!!

[norayouadora]

^That's was I was going to say... I'm not an ALW fan, but I do like Aspects of Love. It's probably his best, IMO.

[Natasha]

My favourite it CATS.

[Salome]

I mean it..add Aspects its one of his only 3 good shows. and its his best.

[norayouadora]

^I'll bite... What do you think his only three good shows are?

Not saying that I disagree (I might actually be with you, lol) just curious.

[Theaterfan101]

Joseph...
because I have loved the music since I was yeah tall *holds hand to just below hip* Accually, I think it was the first musical I saw.

[Salome]

Aspects
Evita
SUnset Blvd

[Dvarg]

[PAMIE]

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Evita
Aspects of Love
Whistle down the wind

[Salome]

[Nedame]

My favorite is CATS, then Phantom, then Evita, I haven't seen any of the others sadly : (

[norayouadora]

^No offense, but if you're not familiar with all of the shows listed, are you really qualified to vote in the poll?

I don't know if you did or not, but I didn't vote because there are a couple that I don't know very well.

[Salome]

and I didnt vote because his best show wasnt put in the poll!

[norayouadora]

^Yeah, that too. If Aspects Of Love had been on there, I probably would have chosen it.

[Vice]

Choose just ONE!?!?!?!?!?
I chose CATS. I've grown up with it, can recite it by "Memory" (pun intended), It's what I grew up with, what got me hooked on showtunes.

But Starlight Express is a CLOSE second.

[santtu]

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Followed by

CATS
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
EVITA

Never seen SUNSET (unfortunately!!), JOSEPH, ASPECTS, BY JEEVES or WOMAN IN WHITE.

Did see BEAUTIFUL GAME and WHISTLE but I don't think they were his best works.

And I don't like STARLIGHT very much.

[Black Knight]

Cats Because when i saw the tour in UK I was amazed, but i am yet to see PHANTOM so may change.

[Sweeney Hyde]

I think I'll remake this pole to include Aspects of Love and Whistle Down the Wind and remove Woman in White as it has no votes...any objections?

[Pannic]

[Jekkienumber24601]

JC all the way! Followed by Woman in White THEN followed by the overrated Phantom

[What Is This Feeling?]

Phantom did suffer from a week OBC, except Judy and Michael. But I still voted for Phantom. To me, althought the score is a nod to Puccini, I still feel it is a very powerful show. And I do like it. Seeing t when your 11, is unbelievable. Now, I'm seing it on the 12th. Well, is this strike gets solved by then. Althought id definately isnt in my top 5,it is still a good show. Technically, and set wise beautiful. Hal Prince was at his finest directing. And he IS the best Broadway director to date. Overall, he sow gave a great atmoshere. And All I ask of You, Masquerade, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, and The Point of No Return are my favorite songs! So, sometimes it is cool just to see the good in a show, before you stick up your nose and go "Poter didnt write it, it lost to a Sondheim show at the Tonys, and it is a tourist attraction for millions YUCK!"

[The Pirate King]

JCS, hands down!

Simply the slickest, coolest, most pumped-up with testosterone "musical" ever. It just rocks.

I like Phantom, too, but JCS is my favourite.

[Salome]

[theatre_grl]

[Dvarg]

[Quique]

Evita

[Flamy]

1. Cats
2. Jesus Christ Superstar
3. POTO

[LaGataNegra]

'Favorite' and 'Best' are two different things. One decision is based upon the Heart, the other comes from the Head. Both are arbitrary; one is always changeable, the other is always arguable.

Favorites (in no order)
CATS (my introduction to musicals)
Phantom of the Opera
Evita
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Best:
Evita
Jesus Christ Superstar
Sunset Boulevard
Phantom of the Opera

[rcs]

I don't know any of them very well, but so far, JCS is the only one I've managed to like (a few of his others have individual numbers that I like in isolation, but none of his others work for me as a whole).

[Robinflamingo]

Favorites: Joseph, and I'll admit it
Cats
Sunset Blvd.
JCS

Hated: Phantom of the Opera (even though I saw it with Colm, whom I adore.)

[Yip1982]

I feel compelled to say CATS and side with the Jellicles and not the chandelier. Although I have seen POTO and was for a while infatuated by Joseph's Dreamcoat, I feel as if there's something that just appeals to me a lot when I watch CATS or listen to its score. I do know that Evita is one of his most compelling works, and I don't feel exactly easy about Superstar. I have seen POTO but I just don't think it stands up well to repeated hearings or viewings. I also feel more willing to dismiss the Dreamcoat as a foolish fancy with only one word: "Begone".

[Salome]

His best and most mature work is easily Aspects of Love.

[Pannic]

Of the ones I'm familiar with, I'd say Evita.

It has some of Webber's best music, with a thoughtful approach to the songs, and Tim Rice at some of his best lyrical work, as well.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

1. CATS
2. Starlight Express
3. Evita
4. Superstar
5. Joseph
6. Phantom

A lot of Phantom's music can get a bit dull for me, which is why CATS and StEx ar my favorite, because they're the most fun.

I've only ever seen CATS and POTO live, and I've only got the OLC of StEx becasue they've never made a movie of it.

Don't know anything of the others apart from a few songs.

You forgot Whistle Down The Wind as well.

[musicangel]

The best might yet be to come with The Master and Margarita. I wish I'd thought of making Bulgakov's masterpiece into a musical. At least it's got a story, unlike Cats (which only really has three memorable songs, Memory, Mister M. and Macafferty). Joseph has good songs throughout and a long-tested story line. Phantom has some amazing songs with notes beyond the range of many. How do you say what's best? Doesn't it depend on mood? Time? Things like that?

[Salome]

ASPECTS OF LOVE which isnt even on the list the idiot posted.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Anybody who says that CATS doesn't have a story does not pay attention.

And it's spelt 'Macavity'.

[LaGataNegra]

Agreed.

(but it's spelt spelled-when mentioning someone's spelling error, it's best not to include one in your post) Spelt is a word, just not the word you needed.

[Salome]

[Pannic]

Lacking a story isn't so much of a criticism. Several great shows (much of the Sondheim repetoire comes to mind) have little in the way in plot. However, they have deep characters and themes.

Saying "Cats has no plot" isn't a valid criticism. Saying "Cats has no point" might be.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Depends on what you mean by the show having a point. For most shows the point is to entertain. The ones that don't achive that are the ones that are not successful.

[Salome]

one small point of a show is to entertain. but more importantly a show makes you think,feel, and realize. Art is to educate and enlighten.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Well, can't you feel for Demeter for how she is torn inside about her feelings for Macavity? And how Munkustrap has to deal with his evil brother?


(Yes, I know I'm arguing in circles.)

[LaGataNegra]

The point(s) of CATS:

1. forgiveness and redemption come to those who wait.
and wait.
and sing sadly.
and wait.
(aka: the old beat-up has-been gets to croak first)
2. tires aren't just for tractors anymore.
3. you can't pick your family
4. a bad boy in a leotard is irresistable
5. by the end of the big party, the white kitten is white in color only.
6. having two cats in the house will cause your Ming vases to have accidents.
7. sleeping in the trunk of a car will give you ferocious bed-head.
8. every cat has a story, whether the audience gets it or not.
9. audiences will keep a plotless, pointless, repetitive musical running for 20-plus years if it's fun, lively, entertaining, has catchy music and excellent choreography, and is generally kid-friendly. Hype and advertising only take you so far. This show has something ( the elusive 'it') that has kept it alive in spite of the pundits and critics.

[jcstar]

Elliot's poems are genius.

I voted for JCS.

What about:
REQUIEM
VARIATIONS
SONG & DANCE
TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
JEEVES
BEAUTIFUL GAME

Andy.

[Salome]

[Mungojerrie_rt]

I don't even know what that is.