I read in the "The King and I" preview thread that Oscar Hammerstein's libretto is considered a masterpiece and a legendary libretto and I agree wholeheartedly.
It got me thinking, what are some librettos/books of some of the more recent shows (say post 2001) that could potentially be considered legendary 50/60 years from now?
This would be a much more interesting topic if I thought that there were any librettos written since 2001 that should be considered legendary. I'd say the best one I can think of is the one for Next to Normal. The Scottsboro Boys, Grey Gardens, and Caroline, or Change all had good librettos as well, though none as good as say Gypsy, South Pacific, or My Fair Lady.
I think librettos nowadays sort of get the short end of the stick. Even in many of the best contemporary musicals, the score typically outshines the book- they're not equals.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
It's been a few years since I've seen it, but I remember liking the libretto of In the Heights a lot. I still think the score outshines it, and I don't know if I'd call it "legendary," but as far as 21st-century librettos go, I think it was pretty good. It didn't leave all the story-telling to the score, and I felt like each scene felt honest and fleshed out, not just something to get us to the next song.
Passing Strange has one of the greatest books of any musical I've seen. You could take away the entire score and still be left with a satisfying evening of theater with Stew's words.
Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco.
Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!
Ditto on "Passing Strange." I'd also say "Next to Normal."
BTW, in response to Fantod, I never said librettos that should become legendary, but rather ones that could potentially become legendary. If not legendary, then pieces that future writers will look to as inspiration.
PASSING STRANGE was the first to came to my mind, honestly. That show stands alone in so many ways, I still think about it.
I think, as an exercise in construction and execution, JERSEY BOYS' libretto deserves to live on as an exemplar of the good jukebox libretto. But I wouldn't call it legendary.
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
Part of the question, to me, that no one seems to ask is, are the "legendary" librettos and "legendary" shows legends because they are timeless and eternally brilliant? Or did they just start out as "good" and become classic over time?
Thought experiment: if "The Sound of Music" had never come out, but it premiered nowadays, would it still make a ripple? Or is it not only tied to its time, but its cultural impact tied to its time, and today we celebrate not only the piece itself but its cultural impact?
I don't think The Sound of Music has a legendary libretto, but I imagine that it would succeed in modern day.
Legendary librettos are the ones to South Pacific, Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, etc. and yes, I think that those shows would be immediately recognized for how well crafted they are in modern times.
Caroline, or Change has one of the best librettos of all time - especially considering that it was written and worked on for 10 years before Tesori came along to set it to music.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
"Part of the question, to me, that no one seems to ask is, are the "legendary" librettos and "legendary" shows legends because they are timeless and eternally brilliant? Or did they just start out as "good" and become classic over time?"
This.
Real legendary Librettos:
Fiddler on The Roof. Gypsy. Next To Normal. Into The Woods. Cabaret
Countdown til Jordan comes on raging about how much loves me! 3..2..1...
I'm pretty sure one is obliged to include FORUM in the list of all-time legendary librettos, no?
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.