Ratings are as follows:
2 = Fair
3 = Good
4 = Great
5 = Excellent
+ = Potential
Classic = Well, seeing how all musicals are classics, this one won't be used that much.
CATS - 5
Of course, we all know about this one. A spectacular show by Andrew Lloyd Webber which has captured the hearts of many the world over and has been running for almost eighteen years. Portraying the celebration of "The Jellicle Ball" by the cats in a run down junkyard, this musical displays wonderful talent in both song and dance. My the "Memory" live on forever!
Daria: The Musical - 3
A hilarious leap for the MTV show, Daria: The Musical incorperates stylings from classic musicals into this modern-day setting of Daria, a girl who could care less about the "perky" people around her, along with her best friend Jane Lane, an aspiring artist who has the same views as Daria; Jake and Helen, Daria's all too perfect parents who's niavety makes you want to puke; Quinn, Daria's prep sister who also makes you want to puke; Trent, Jane's gothic brother who also happens to be Daria's secret crush; and a bunch of other preppy people who I'll probably hurl just thinking about them. Taking place right before and during a hurricane, this episode will have you rolling around with laughter in how nutty the people of this city act.
Jesus Christ Superstar - 3 +
Another piece by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this musical weaves the story of our Saviour in his last days in dramatic effect with Rock music, and intricate dance and costumes. You're probably asking "Well, why'd she give it a measly 3?" It's not just because I believe a bit differently than what the musical says. It's because I think it could have had a lot more to it. For example, the fact that the palace looked more like a ruin. If there had been a few more fake bits of gold here and there....Ahem. And also how the guy who played Judas kinda acted insane. He sure could sing, that's for sure, but the jerky movements....I could have done without that.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - 4
A spectacular Andrew Lloyd Webber piece featuring Donny Osmond and a great cast of other wonderful actors and actresses, this piece tells the tale of Joseph, son of Jacob, and his adventures with his eleven other brothers who hate his guts because Jacob favours him the most. With terrific songs, dance, and lots of humour added in, along with a Pharoah who is an Elvis impersonator, this musical will leave you suspended in all of it's intricacy.
Labyrinth - 5
A hilarious Jim Henson film starring David Bowie and Jennifer Conolly, this musical has it's weight already measured in gold! This film portrays the adventures of a young teenage girl through the mysterious Labyrinth where everything seems possible, and nothing is what it seems. On the way, she encounters many different creatures, some friends, some foes, and all hilarious. And finnaly, there's Jareth, the Goblin King, *swoons* played by David Bowie. Containing pure 80's rock and roll music, "Labyrinth" is a must-see for all!
Newsies - 5
What can be said about this one than PURE MASTERPIECE!!!!!!! This has to be one of the best musicals I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Set in 1899, this musical tells the tale of the newsboys of New York going on strike because of the greedy newspaper tycoons. Containing spectacular music, such as the song "Sieze the Day" along with hyper-active dance, Newsies has definately become a favourite to many.
The Phantom of the Opera - 5
This musical can be placed among the classics. If you've seen Phantom, you've seen one of the best. That's all there is to it. This musical takes place in the mid to late 1800s in Paris, France. A beautiful young opera singer (Christine Daae) has attracted the attention of the famed "Opera Ghost", who has fallen in love with both her beauty and her voice. He appears to her as "the Angel of Music", whom her father promised to send to her upon his death. Christine's old friend Raoul happens to be the opera house's new patron, and is determined to kindle a romance with Christine. However she is reluctant due to her devotion to the angel. In the end, Christine leaves with Raoul and the Phantom ends up dying of a broken heart---the only bad part of the play. Personally, I think she should have stayed with the Phantom. ^_^
Rigoletto - 5
There are some words that cannot describe the ways in which this wonderful movie has touched me. Taking place in the early 1900s, this movie tells the tale of Bonnie, a young girl living in a moderately poor singe-parent home, who absolutely loves to sing. Strange things start occurring in her hometown of Castle Gate when a mysterious man named Ribaldi moves into an old mansion on the outskirts of town. The townspeople fear that he is the one who is responsible for the strange evictions they had been recieving, causing most of the townfolk to lose their homes. When Bonnie's family is evicted by Ribaldi, her mother decideds to pay him a visit. Ribaldi says that if she will let Bonnie work for him, they can keep their home for free. Bonnie agrees, and finds that Ribaldi is a reclusive man with half of his face brutilly scarred, along with his heart. She discovers that he is a master of song and asks him to teach her to sing. As the movie progresses, Ribaldi's heart becomes more mellow and he shows how kind he truly is. I'm not going to give away all of the movie, because it's waaay too good. But if there's one musical I'd suggest, it's this one.
The Bitter Suite (Xena: Warrior Princess) - 3 +
Taking a turn for the more bizarre, this episode of Xena: Warrior Princess left me laughing, but a little scrambled in the brain. Taking place after the death of their children, Xena and Gabrielle are currently in a big hate struggle. After nearly killing Gabrielle, Xena finds herself in the mystical land of Illusia, where everything she knows is wrong, and everyone sings to talk. Little does she know, Gabrielle has been brought to this land, also, and they encounter each other on not-so-pleasant circumstances. During their strange visit, they have to work together to overcome their hurt feelings. Chock full of happiness, sadness, and "what the heck...?", the Bitter Suite is a pretty interesting viewing experience.
West Side Story - 2
Okay. I have to admit, the musical itself was good, but...
Taking place in the 1950s, this story is about two gangs, the Sharks (a Puerto Rican gang) and the Jets (their rival American gang). Both sides feel horibble predjudice against each other. Only because of a uncerimonial romance between the head Shark's sister and the head Jet's best friend, the two rival sides start to see eye to eye. Unfortunately, that only really happens when the best friend is killed. I think that WSS could have been a lot better in the violence factor. I know that they were just going for realism, but the outcome of it all was pretty depressing.