[Sweeney Hyde]

Which of the above is the best Rodgers and Hammerstein show? Post your choice and why.

[Sweeney Hyde]

I voted for South Pacific, but after this summer it might be Cinderella as that is what my community theatre group is doing.

[I Love Lockstock]

I voted Sound of Music. It's a cute show! No real reason, I'm not much of an R&H person, but SoM is really fun.

[Sweeney Hyde]

blah blah blah ignore

[Sweeney Hyde]

Come on! I know more people have favorites than the 4 or so that voted!

[shakalakababy]

sound of music, it was my first favorite musical and my first audition song was from it. it holds a special place in my heart

[JulieJordan]

Carousel- a brilliant love story with a unique fusion of fantasy, kitchen sink drama and some of the most gorgeous music ever writtten.

[Salome]

Sound of Music is the WORST R&H shgow. weakest score..sappiest storyline.

South Pacific is the strongest with Carousel and KIng and I coming in as a tie for 2nd.

S.P. is just so real..the score is stellar throughout (except Wash that Man) the relationship are complex and detailed,the dialouge is natural and the plot is timeless.

[Mimi Marquez]

While it is over the top at times, I gotta say that I think Oklahoma is the most fun.

[Salome]

I agree Oklahoma is the most fun..but the question was..whats the best.

[Mara]

I chose Cinderella, but Oklahoma comes a close second.

[bwayluvor31]

R&H shows were my first exposure to musicals, so it's hard to pick.

The Best: South Pacific (with the exception of a few songs, can you find anything wrong with it?)
My Favorite: Sound of Music (closely followed by South Pacific)

[what_the_heck013]

I think that South Pacific has an excellent book, but it gets a little slow at times. I voted for Carousel... the first time I cried after seeing a musical. The book is good. I love the line (which actually stolen from Liliom) about being hit so hard and never feeling it. And the score is okay... some songs really bother me (ie "June is Busting Out All Over"). But overall, the show is SO moving.

The Sound of Music, to me, has the potential to be this moving... I just don't know how it would be done. I mean, looking at the show from the kids' point of view. It's VERY scary... with all the nazi's and such.

[metaphor17]

The King And I.

I don't really know why; I just really like it

[Sweeney Hyde]

Keep in mind guys that there could be a difference between your favorite and which one you think is the best.

[Yip1982]

I'd probably say that there should be a tie between South Pacific, King and I and Sound of Music. However, as much as eachhas its merits, I think that Sound of Music is perhaps the best-balanced...
I think it's because R&H were able to mix their key themes into one satisfying whole.

[Salome]

sound of music is the LEAST balance. Hammerstien didnt even write the cript.and it hsows..its a weak book.

them usic is the least engaging and exciting of any of their scores andt he lyrics arent up to Oscar's usual standard..except how can love survive and edleweiss.

[Sweeney Hyde]

[phantomphan85]

I voted for Carousel, it's such a wonderful show.

[nycbound]

I love them all, but I think The King and I is the best. Fabulous score, beautiful (but complicated) love story, and an ending that makes me sob like a baby.

[rcs]

I voted for South Pacific. I think it has both the best story (Emile De Becque is one of most interesting and best male leads of any musical in history!) and the best score (I LOVE "Some Enchanted Evening," "Younger Than Springtime," "Bali Ha'i," and "This Nearly Was Mine").

On another note, why isn't Pipe Dream included in the poll?

[freakycallbackgirl]

I have to say Carousel. I watched the movie last year in Music class and LOVED it! I have performed in The Sound of Music when I was little and now I really don't like it as much as Carousel

[Berger]

I think South Pacific and Carousel are the two best R&H shows.

[Set_Buildin_Dad]

I give the nod to South Pacific. 2nd Carousel, 3rd King & I.

To me the story defines the show, and I think the book for SP is superb. The libreto for SP won the Pulitzer. The music is also good, but I think of all the R&H shows this is Hammerstein's masterpiece.

[santtu]

THE KING AND I.

Beautiful songs (includes the most beautiful musical song ever, "Something Wonderful"!!), great characters, terrific book...

And it is the show that lended a lot of 'features' for THE SOUND OF MUSIC...

[Patrick]

I hate how SoM implies its accurate and it is very much not so.

I voted Carousel, but SP is second, then TKaI.

[BenStone]

That's a difficult one - I went for Carousel because of the overall score and story. South Pacific, however, was not far behind.

I've always had a sneaky admiration for the ambition of Allegro too.