If you want to turn somone on to a musical (theater stage) what is the best choice?

Cafe Society
1

Title kinda says it all.

To be clear, I mean the easiest, most popular musical that everyone likes.

  • Pirates of Penzance
  • Wicked
  • Mamma Mia
  • Little Shop of Horrors

Doubtless there are others. Just some examples.

Looking for the one that even the most jaded person when it comes to theater might like and convert them into someone who likes going to the theater.

2
  • Pirates of Penzance is a classic and could work. Probably my 2nd choice.
  • Wicked, maybe, very popular and based on the nearly universal world of Oz but probably my 3rd choice.
  • Mamma Mia, I would shy away from an ABBA only musical, that could backfire.
  • Little Shop of Horrors, this would be my pick, but simply as it is my favorite. A nice range of music, a lot of comedy.
3

My favorite too but not sure if it is a little too weird for a newbie to theater. Great music and story though so it might be an excellent choice. Guess it depends on knowing what that person might like.

ETA: Best use of a Greek Chorus ever (IMHO)

4

Little Shop is my favorite also!
However, Book of Mormon is a great show for someone who can handle “blasphemy”.

5

The Music Man and Guys and Dolls seem entry-level as well.

6

I’ve always had a soft spot for Cole Porter. But that’s because I did summer theater as a teenager and my first show was Anything Goes. But objectively, he wrote some incredibly catchy songs which I think might be a good gateway for a newcomer to musicals.

Edit: There’s also the connection to Indiana Jones! In the second film Kate Capshaw sings Anything Goes in Chinese.

7

Spamalot

8

Another vote for ‘Guts and Dolls’, especially with this show-stopper:

Guys and Dolls 1955 Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat

And ‘42nd Street’ has this opening mass tap dance:

Opening Tap Number of 42ND STREET

9

If that is playing anywhere, that is the best play I ever saw. But I’m the audience for it also.

10

My mom wanted to take me to “Wicked” in Chicago but there was a blizzard that night and the power went out so the show was canceled and it was the very end of the run.

So, she got tickets to “Spamalot” as a trade for the canceled tickets and to took me. I loved it (I know the movie well and grew-up on Monty Python). My mom was totally lost and did not enjoy it.

11

I would pay money to see that!

12

Same for me. Admittedly, it hasn’t turned me on to musical theater. My wife saying “But you liked Spamalot” hasn’t got me to see another.

13

“My Fair Lady” is full of great songs, and it also has a very interesting plot (based on Shaw, after all).

14

I am going to see Spamalot for the first time when the community theatre I work with is mounting it next year. I’m worried about not loving it, because I really don’t enjoy Monty Python in general. The theatre puts on some wonderful shows so I know the production will shine, but even so the music better be terrific.

To answer the OP I would suggest Pippin, which was the first show I ever saw on Broadway and got me hooked. Wicked is terrific but I think it would backfire if the goal is to ignite an interest in theater for the future, because very few shows are on its level. A show such as Pippin (or Come from Away, and I’m sure there are many other examples) with a simple set will let the music and story be primary.

15

I’m partial to “Little Shop”

The Lil’wrekker played Audrey for a long run at the Community Theatre.
I sent many to see her and the show.

She was very good and made the show. So I was told.

They are rehearsing “Hairspray” now. It sounds like it will be good.

16

Oo, just thought of another favorite: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Very humorous and great music.
I saw it a dozen times as a teen when my mom played the lead in a community theater production. But there was another actress who got the best line: “Scram!” Brought the house down every night.

17

When we see the movie show up on TCM we’ll sometimes dvr it, and I always rewind and replay this number a few times. Stubby Kaye is great.

18

My memory is the music was great and it is a fun time. That said, the humor/writing is pure Monty Python and the Holy Grail at heart. If you do not like that then it may not be your cup of tea (and expect audience participation quoting famous lines…there are a lot of those).

Even so, it may still be worth going to support your community theater (something I am a BIG fan of in general).

19

The problem I have with Spamalot is that the music is, IMO, meh. And there’s no point in having a musical if the music isn’t great. Here are a few musicals where I think the music really is great. Obviously, YMMV.

South Pacific
West Side Story
My Fair Lady (which I already mentioned, above)
Guys and Dolls (mentioned by several people)
Les Miserables
Miss Saigon
Hamilton
Rent

20

The Lion King is fun.