Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years- Page 4
Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
#75Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 4/4/14 at 7:47amPicnic, to me, is one of the best plays. I agree with the musical list, although I'd order the shows a bit differently. Book of Mormon shouldn't be on there. Maybe another show by Hammerstein or Hello, Dolly. As much as I love Wicked, and some other fluff shows, I'm glad they weren't included.
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
#76Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 5/30/14 at 12:02pmAny shows this year that should be added to this list? (What would you take out to make room?)
Jarethan
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
#77Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 5/31/14 at 11:32pmYeah, right...
#78Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/1/14 at 4:31amAre we really expecting a valid list with Oklahoma on it? Guys and Dolls too. 'Greatest Musicals' should only be applied to the non-bubblegum variety. Sure, Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma are cute, community theater shows, but they're not 'great'. Great should be a tour de force of a musical, something thought-provoking, that impacts you as you leave. Something that pushes the envelope. Updated On: 6/1/14 at 04:31 AM
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#79Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/1/14 at 6:06am
What a strange definition of "great".
Guys & Dolls (while overdone, and accessible) IS one of the best musicals every written -- no if, ands and buts about it.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#80Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/1/14 at 2:40pmIt's actually one of the most cookie cutter musicals out there, no ifs ands or buts.
#81Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/1/14 at 3:44pmI would say the only musical from this year that would make the list is If/Then and that would only be in 20 or 25 years after it is revised and revived akin to Merrily We Roll Along and Company.
Steve721
Stand-by Joined: 2/21/14
#82Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/1/14 at 4:24pm
"Are we really expecting a valid list with Oklahoma on it? Guys and Dolls too. 'Greatest Musicals' should only be applied to the non-bubblegum variety. Sure, Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma are cute, community theater shows, but they're not 'great'. Great should be a tour de force of a musical, something thought-provoking, that impacts you as you leave. Something that pushes the envelope."
Do you know anything about the history of Oklahoma? During its time, Oklahoma definitely "pushed the envelope"--with the exception of Showboat, Oklahoma was the first wildly successful book musical, and it changed musical theater forever. "Guys and Dolls", on the other hand, is just a perfectly executed show. While reasonable people can and do differ about what goes on a list of the best musicals, both of those shows are iconic and I have no problem with including them.
#83Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 8/14/14 at 1:53am
"Guys and Dolls and Oklahoma are cute, community theater shows, "
Why is "community theater" so frequently used as a put-down, as in this case? My experience with community theater -- such as the Attic Ensemble in Jersey City -- is that they try to choose the best shows they can. The productions themselves may not be of professional quality. But it may well be one gauge of greatness that a particular show is continually chosen by communities all over the country.
#84Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 11/27/14 at 11:57pm
It's interesting that only four of the musicals on EW's list make it to the Library of America's recent 16 Greatest American Musicals of the Golden Age: Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, Gypsy and Cabaret.
(Some of the shows not included in the new list, to be fair, were created after the "golden age.")
16 greatest American musicals of the Golden Age, according to the Library of America
Updated On: 11/28/14 at 11:57 PM
#85Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 4/1/15 at 8:37pm
Three playwrights make the top-twenty twice -- Arthur Miller, Eugene O'Neill, and Tennessee Williams.
#86Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/30/15 at 10:53pm
Just 7 women. What other plays by women should be on this list? (Or, asked another way, if it were 100 instead of 50, what other works by women would you include?)
Fantod
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/3/14
#87Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/30/15 at 11:12pm
No The Skin of Our Teeth? No My Fair Lady? The list is a joke.
#88Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 6/30/15 at 11:15pmYou're a constant marvel. Nobody under the age of 70 like The Skin of Our Teeth.
AwesomeDanny
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/30/09
#89Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:46am
"You're a constant marvel. Nobody under the age of 70 like The Skin of Our Teeth."
Speak for yourself. I'm very far from that age, and I adore that play.
I think it's ridiculous that this list ignored Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, All My Sons, The Normal Heart, You Can't Take it With You, Private Lives... I understand there are limited slots, but are The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Weir really deserving contenders? Lists like these usually have a consensus for the top 10, and then it's all up for grabs.
As for the question of female playwrights, I would love to see Paula Vogel, Sarah Ruhl, and Marsha Norman represented on the list.
Fantod
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/3/14
#90Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:02am
That play is absurdly brilliant, and I feel sorry that your 60 year old "refined" taste prevents you from seeing that.
#91Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 7/25/15 at 9:55am
The last time The Skin of Our Teeth played on Broadway was in 1975, starring Elizabeth Ashley, and it played only seven performances -- which may say more about its popularity than its quality. But is there any "best" play that's consistently unpopular?
#92Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 7/25/15 at 11:47am
I mean, I fell asleep when I saw "Skin of our Teeth". I thought it was rather dreadful.
"Sticks and stones, sister. Here, have a Valium." - Patti LuPone, a Memoir
#93Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 7/29/15 at 10:23pm
The $64,000 question (as they used to say):
Should Hamilton be on this list?
#94Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 8/21/15 at 7:56pm
Given the current kerfuffle over the MTC's lack of diversity in its 2015-2016 season, it's worth pointing out that there are only three women playwrights among the top 25, and only eight total out of all 50.
Howard Shore
Understudy Joined: 8/19/15
#95Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 8/21/15 at 8:32pm
Guys and Dolls was one my favorite until someone decided to hire Tituss Burgess. He is not a good actor
#96Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 8/21/15 at 8:47pm
Should Hamilton be on this list?
It is too early to include Hamilton. This thread started in 2013 and BOM is on the list. Do you think it would still be there had the list come out this week? Time will tell re: Hamilton...not the hype storm we're in the middle of.
#97Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 8/22/15 at 10:45am
You make a good point, Michelle, and ask an interesting question.
Would The Book of Mormon be on the list if it were made today?
Braniff Forever
Featured Actor Joined: 6/27/15
#98Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 8/22/15 at 12:25pm
I think HAMILTON will top that list and I believe FUN HOME could be in the top 20.
#99Entertainment Weekly's 50 Best Plays (and 10 Greatest Musicals) Over the Past 100 Years
Posted: 8/26/15 at 12:22am
well, these are both musicals. EW focused on straight plays. Their separate list of musicals only mentions 10. Which would Hamilton and Fun Home replace?
