I may be weird, well, I know I am, but I have worked in theater for many years, building sets and such, but I never go see the shows. I find musicals tedious. At the La Jolla Playhouse we started the tour of Rent, and hearing “525600 minutes” over and over again as they rehearsed while we were working on the set was a kind of water torture.
But I did get to meet Neil Patrick Harris.
I remember when “Hamilton” was all the rage. I listened to some of the music and couldn’t figure out why it was so popular. And I did not see it for years because it was a STUPIDLY expensive ticket (like $700+).
But, it came back around at more normal prices (still expensive but normal these days) and was persuaded to go see it. I was dubious but, against all expectations, I actually really liked it. It was much better than I thought it would be.
Chicago
Hairspray
The stories are fun and the music is a blast. My then-teen who doesn’t like musicals loves these.
West Side Story is also a great choice, but they may not want something so sad. The music is astonishingly good. My then-teens liked it so much, we went back the next week and saw it again!
We all found Guys and Dolls to be fun, but the story was forgettable.
If One Man, Two Guvnors ever comes around, I’m there! The broadcasted James Cordon version was phenomenal, and I’m told by a theatre-buff friend that he’s seen it done even better in person with a different cast.
Absolutely! I am the treasurer for this theater and have been buying annual subscriptions for many years. I’m proud to say it is the best community theater I’ve seen so far. Since getting involved I’ve sought out other theaters and our facility/talent/prices etc. are unmatched. (It’s in Morris County NJ if anyone’s interested, feel free to DM me.)
Oklahoma!
Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae starred in the movie.
But I enjoyed the play much better. Our community Theater did a noteworthy job.
Revival tour. I will look into traveling to Baton Rogue to see it.
Oh, good one.
I don’t like musicals, generally, but I loved Billy Elliot.
And I’m surprised it’s not been mentioned until (looks to the slider on the right) the 27th post.
Carousel is a bit of downer and probably not the best “first musical” to take someone to, but I really vibed with it.
The King and I.
Grease. Fun for all.
Teens especially love it.
Great Choices.
You either love their humor or hate it. Only if you know they are a Python fan.
Especially if there’s a kid along or they are a Disney fan.
I got to see that with Yul Brynner. wow.
I love "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", but it is a little long. Be careful of the length when taking a newbie.
That would be great but I need to travel pretty far to see it.
I dislike most musicals. I saw Beach Blanket Babylon many years ago and hated it. My wife and her father once dragged me to The Pirates of Penzance, telling me I would love it: lots of great songs and witty word play! Boring and pretentious IMHO. I lasted to the intermission and fled the theater with relief.
There are three exceptions (all movies): I like A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum a lot, but not for the musical numbers, mostly for Zero Mostel. I skip the songs when I watch it, so I don’t think it counts. I do like Little Shop of Horrors and Jesus Christ Superstar, both very much. I’m not sure what’s different about those two, except that I like the songs as songs. I have the albums from both of them and play the songs just to hear them. I would see either of them live. But everyone’s musical taste is different, so I guess my advice would be to try to find a show whose songs match the musical taste of the person you’re taking, rather than trying to identify a show that “everyone” will like. I don’t think there is such a thing.
I’ve seen most of those, but I’m not a big fan of musicals. I prefer theater that isn’t interrupted by tedious songs.
Oddly, i like a few “rock operas”, where it’s all songs. (I like Jesus Christ, superstar, for instance.)
Take the person to a show you think that person will enjoy. And don’t expect to convert them to a lover of musicals.
I loved Brigadoon when I saw it like 30 years ago
These are the two that were my introduction to musicals, so I vote for them. I’m hit+miss on enjoying non Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, though.
Zero could do more with just expressions than most actors can with dialogue and props.
To me, The Music Man is perfection.
I like “this nearly was mine” from south pacific, that’s a good choice.
It depends on the person.
Edit. Musicals take a lot out of me. I saw phantom of the opera and I could’t speak afterwards, overwhelmed
Cabaret, maybe? It’s timely, and it doesn’t have the artificiality problem that most musicals have – as in, at least 80% of the singing takes place in contexts where it makes sense that people would sing in real life. But I’m coming at this from a “person who likes plays but doesn’t particularly like musicals” perspective, and I don’t know how well it would work for someone who was skeptical of live theater in general. Honestly, if that’s where they’re coming from, I would probably take them to something that wasn’t a musical first.
The Music Man. Impossible to dislike: great score, fun story.
If you’re looking for something more modern, there’s The Drowsy Chaperone. A lot of fun, with some depth to it. Also a great score; “The Bride’s Lament” is superb.
I also try The Band’s Visit and Come from Away.