# What are the most obscure musicals in your CD collection? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 7, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626 "2004-12-07T21:55:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AmbushBug](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ambushbug/32/4600_2.png) [@AmbushBug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbushBug)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/21 "2004-12-08T20:14:55Z")
How about the soundtrack CD to the _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_ episode **Once More, with Feeling**? [Amazon Link](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006J3WH/qid=1102536895/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/102-2169034-8213762) ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/22 "2004-12-08T20:18:58Z")
Does Rick Wakeman’s _Journey to the Centre of the Earth_ count? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/23 "2004-12-08T20:56:37Z")
**Drat! The Cat** which I don’t really like. But I own because I was told I would like it. (they were wrong) **Romance/Romance** , but it’s a tape, not a CD… **Lucky Stiff** or “Weekend at Bernies, the musical!” I love this music. The songs are great, and fun to sing. I love the show. It’s ridiculous and over the top and campy as anything, but it is perfect in it’s own way. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/24 "2004-12-08T21:26:13Z")
I have a CD of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s (sans Gilbert) **Ivanhoe**. of course, it’s mostly thought of as an opretta so it might not coount. I bought it almost 15 years ago to try and be complete during my G&S phase. sheepishly, I must confess I’ve never listened to it all the way through. :o I’ve always wanted a copy of the allegedly wretched Sherlock Holmes musical **Baker Street**. I’ve always heard it stank, and I have a perverse desire to here it. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/25 "2004-12-08T21:28:24Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > Jim Steinmans’ _Tanz der Vampire_ which is just freakin’ dreadful, really, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s _Song & Dance_ with Bernadette Peters. Heh, I’ve got “Whistle Down the Wind” by Jim Steinman AND Andrew Lloyd Webber. I simply couldn’t resist such a partnership. (And it spawned Boyzone’s version of “No Matter What” ::cue screaming girls:: ) ---
**Author:** ![MidnightRadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/26 "2004-12-09T06:10:53Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > Jim Steinmans’ _Tanz der Vampire_ which is just freakin’ dreadful, really. . . I heard he put “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in it. It that true? I mean, I can’t think of a less appropriate song for a show about _vampires_. > [@the Lady](#): > > It’s not obscure, but I don’t suppose too many people have **Les Miserables** in the original French. > I like it better - there’s more Eponine. I have it and I love it! Also, I have their first musical, _La Révolution Française_, which was never translated into any other languages. It’s good, but kind of hit and miss. They were inspired to write a rock opera after seeing _Jesus Christ Superstar_ in New York, so they wrote one about the French Revolution. Some of the songs are wonderful, including “Quatre Saisons pour un Amour” which I think is my favorite song from any Boublil and Schönberg musical. ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/27 "2004-12-09T07:55:34Z")
I have the 1996 cast recording of **Merrily We Roll Along** , by Stephen Sondheim, which was adapted from a play written in the 1920’s, IIRC. It originally ran on Broadway in the 80’s, for about two weeks. I like it, sometimes. Other times, I’m just glad that there are much better Sondheim shows out there. It runs backwards, beginning in 1976, and ending in 1954 (both dates IIRC) which is confusing but makes for an interesting way of revealing the plot. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/28 "2004-12-09T07:58:00Z")
[Good Morning Athens](http://uwyo.edu/th&d/Downs/ATHENS.html) (WARNING - SOUND, some inappropriate lyrics) a student-written, anti war Rock musical. The show is based on “Lysistrata,” and was originally produced by the University of Wyoming, and this is what I have a copy of. > [@](#): > > _from the dramatists publishing online catalog:_ > This rollicking musical puts a contemporary spin on the effects of the Peloponnesian War on Greece. Shortly after the wedding of Cassandra and Makareus, Jason and General Tantalos arrive to draft the groom and take him off to war. On “Good Morning Athens,” the hottest television show in ancient Greece, co-hosted by Medea and Aristophanes, Lysistrata confronts her husband, General Tantalos, on the air, demanding peace. General Tantalos and Jason are sure that the war they are waging is good for their country and necessary for the world. The outraged women of Athens take an oath of celibacy until the war ends. Characters from Greek drama and mythology unite with muses, historians, politicians, writers and celebrities from the Old World in this quest for peace and love. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/29 "2004-12-09T13:14:19Z")
I think **Lawoot** wins, unless somebody has a copy of the soundtrack to [Carrie, the musical](http://www.gadflyonline.com/05-20-02/ctc-carriemusical.html) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/30 "2004-12-09T13:21:30Z")
I have Dance of the Vampires in English–the dreadful Broadway show that starred Michael Crawford. Yes, it includes Total Eclipse of the Heart. The first pressing of the Danish touring cast (in English) of Chess, complete with the four songs that were cut from later pressings. The Korean Les Miz, which was not only pulled, but producer Cameron Macintosh hated it so much he went around buying every single copy he could find. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/31 "2004-12-09T13:31:10Z")
I suppose this is more properly operetta than musical but I have a 1968 German language performance of _The Pirates of Penzance_ (_[Die Piraten](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005YA9P/ref=cm_aya_asin.title/002-9574665-2741625?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance)_) starring Martha Modl and Arlene Auger (the former a Wagnerian soprano, the latter a Mozartian coloratura). Bizarre, but very funny. Also: **Istvan Kiraly** , a naff 1980s (or maybe late 1970s) rock musical in Hungarian. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/32 "2004-12-09T14:50:35Z")
Movie musicals: [http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0066732/maindetails](http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0066732/maindetails) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/33 "2004-12-09T14:58:55Z")
A musical I’d love to find a copy of (I don’t think it was ever recorded professionally but it has been produced a few times by amateur groups) is _Confederacy of Dunces_. It premiered at LSU but I’m not sure if it ever played elsewhere; several businesses in New Orleans have posters for it (from the 1980s). ---
**Author:** ![baronsabato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@baronsabato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/baronsabato)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/34 "2004-12-09T15:22:30Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I think **Lawoot** wins, unless somebody has a copy of the soundtrack to [Carrie, the musical](http://www.gadflyonline.com/05-20-02/ctc-carriemusical.html) Actually… I do have most of the songs, recorded live, on CD. Granted, it’s not an professional recording, but it’s good enough to appreciate the horror that was “Carrie: the musical”. > [@Sampiro](#): > > A musical I’d love to find a copy of (I don’t think it was ever recorded professionally but it has been produced a few times by amateur groups) is Confederacy of Dunces. It premiered at LSU but I’m not sure if it ever played elsewhere; several businesses in New Orleans have posters for it (from the 1980s). I had no idea “A Confederacy of Dunces” was made into a musical! It’s probably one of my favorite books. I can see it being musical material, but it would be pretty hard to pull off. Have you seen it? ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/35 "2004-12-09T17:09:09Z")
> [@the Lady](#): > > It’s not obscure, but I don’t suppose too many people have **Les Miserables** in the original French. > I like it better - there’s more Eponine. I have both French recordings and also the Spanish one. The obscurest musical in my CD collection would have to be _Sophie’s World_, which also wins for worst English translation in my CD collection. I adore the book, but the musical is just amusing in its weirdness. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/36 "2004-12-09T17:17:46Z")
> [@TJdude825](#): > > I have the 1996 cast recording of **Merrily We Roll Along** , by Stephen Sondheim, which was adapted from a play written in the 1920’s, IIRC. It originally ran on Broadway in the 80’s, for about two weeks. I like it, sometimes. Other times, I’m just glad that there are much better Sondheim shows out there. It runs backwards, beginning in 1976, and ending in 1954 (both dates IIRC) which is confusing but makes for an interesting way of revealing the plot. I have this on cassette, dubbed from my father’s LP. It has a special place in my heart since my parents and I went to see it for my (1981 original cast…hmmm, borrow one, 11 minus 8…) 13th! birthday. It was opening night and the producers were in those side balconies furiously scribbling notes. It was long! Apparently their efforts proved in vain since it closed so soon. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/37 "2004-12-09T18:54:36Z")
I have [Ruthless, The Musical](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000014U5/002-6712279-2243222?v=glance) [/QUOTE] . Very funny show, cross between The Bad Seed and All About Eve. I believe a very, very young Britney Spears starred in the original NY cast, but this recording is from the 1994 LA cast. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/38 "2004-12-09T19:03:04Z")
> [@the Lady](#): > > It’s not obscure, but I don’t suppose too many people have **Les Miserables** in the original French. > I like it better - there’s more Eponine. No, but I do have both English and French version of _Notre Dame de Paris_. (I have a couple mp3 from the French les Miz, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/39 "2004-12-09T19:06:02Z")
> [@baronsabato](#): > > I had no idea “A Confederacy of Dunces” was made into a musical! It’s probably one of my favorite books. I can see it being musical material, but it would be pretty hard to pull off. Have you seen it? No, I’ve just seen (20 year old) posters for it. The musical version was written, performed and directed by students at LSU (the university whose press published the novel) and I’ve never read a review of it. There are rumors of a musical entitled _Ignatius!_ based on the book that backers are trying to get permission from the estate to perform, but since Toole’s heirs are considered a cantankerous and greedy lot and Louisiana inheritance laws are somewhere between medieval and deliberately confusing it may not happen. A friend who was in the production is supposed to be bringing me a bootleg of the soundtrack to _The Color Purple_. It premiered in Atlanta this Fall and is scheduled to open off-Broadway (and eventually on B’way) once its tweaked a bit more. Reviews were mixed. ---
**Author:** ![Grasshopper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@Grasshopper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grasshopper)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626/40 "2004-12-09T20:05:49Z")
I have the Original French Concept Album of Les Miz as well! Apparently there’s quite a few of us. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-most-obscure-musicals-in-your-cd-collection/278626.md?page=3)