The post about Best Score made me wonder what people's favorite scores are in this millennium thus far. As a musician, listening for overall musical and lyrical contribution to the production, I am listing my top ten here (Including Broadway only):
The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray, Wicked, The Light in the Piazza, Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening, In the Heights, Next to Normal, Book of Mormon, Matilda, Kinky Boots, Bridges of Madison County, Fun Home, Hamilton
In my opinion, The Scottsboro Boys is the most well-crafted score of the 2000's. The fact that it lost Best Score to The Book of Mormon is stupid. Kander and Ebb should have been recognized for one of their best works.
I agree - the year where we all knew Mormon was gonna win most stuff, I REALLY thought Score would go to Scottsboro. It is unbelievable that it didn't. That Scottsboro Boys score is nearly flawless and I also thought the show should've won a bunch of other Tonys that year too.
The score was the best part of it. A touch bland, but well put together and melodic.
9. Spamalot
Fun and classic Broadway. I love The Song That Goes Like This
8. Hairspray
See above. You Can't Stop The Beat brightens my day.
7. Wicked
If the whole score were as strong as the mini overture, it would be #2 on my list, but the whole score is pretty fun, with great torch songs and a very touching finale.
6. Next to Normal
Searching, searing, and soaring. It's also not particularly distinguished and the show plays better in the theatre than on disc.
5. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
A fun pastiche of Gilbert and Sullivan. Though it never reaches the brilliance of those it tries to imitate, the result is a collection of delightful music hall songs.
4. The Wild Party
A lot of it is grating on the ears, but the score is rip-roaring and crazy (and crazy fun). People Like Us is beautiful.
3. The Scottsboro Boys
Though nowhere near as consistent as Kander and Ebb's other scores, it has many stand out songs, including the opening and closing. Go Back Home is a great song as well.
2. A Year With Frog and Toad
This may seem a bit odd, but I really love this score. Smooth jazz without an ounce of cynicism, it's great to listen to with a cup of coffee. Give it a try if you haven't heard it yet.
1. The Visit
More of a cohesive score than a collection of songs, it's really quite a feat. Though dense, it's so so good.
These are my favorite scores of this millennium. I'm not gonna limit it to Broadway only. In chronological order:
The Last Five Years Avenue Q Spelling Bee The Lord of the Rings In the Heights Title of Show Next to Normal The Story of My Life Matilda Scottsboro Boys Dogfight Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 Bridges of Madison County Fun Home The Last Ship Ghost Quartet Hamilton
Hamilton; Fun Home; Passing Strange; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812; The Last Five Years; In the Heights; Matilda; The Book of Mormon; Next to Normal; The Bridges of Madison County; Ordinary Days; Ghost Quartet
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, GREY GARDENS... those are probably the two major ones. But I have others-- FUN HOME, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, GIANT (I'm glad I wasn't the first to mention it. In my opinion, it's LaChiusa's masterpiece, so far.) and FAR FROM HEAVEN (Which I failed to recognize as an absolutely brilliant piece of theater writing until the cast album came out. It needs a new production with a new director.)
There are very few scores I love enough to listen all the way through (i mostly make playlists of favorite songs)
The best and most listenable scores (song for song) since 2000 for me are in order:
1) Aida The Musical
2) The Book of Mormon
3) Kinky Boots
4) Wicked
5) Jersey Boys
6) Title of Show
7) Newsies
Next to Normal, Avenue Q, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Hairspray all get honorable mention because i love a lot of songs from those shows but dont listen to the entire score of any of them..
Also liking Fun Home songs a lot and it was a spectacular show to see live.... sure hope they do a pro shot version....