Funniest Musical of All Time?

[Oak2]

In your thoughts, what would you consider the funniest musicals? I've always been a big comedy fan, and I'm interested in general in different senses of humor. A musical obviously doesn't need to brand itself as a comedy to be considered funny, so I'm sure there are some I might not think of that I might like to look into (I'm relatively new to musicals). So what musicals have given you the most personal laughs? 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Something Rotten!, The Book of Mormon, Gentleman's Guide, and most of the first three-quarters of Hedwig and the Angry Inch come to mind in recent history.

[Mike Costa]

Nice thread.

The Producers with Nathan and Matthew probably was the funniest musical I ever saw.  The Book of Mormon may have had more laughs per minute but it was often because we heard dirty words like  "maggots in my scrotum" so the laughs were not really set up or earned.

Something Rotten! is pretty big in the smart laugh department too.

[Someone in a Tree2]

The first obvious answer has funny in its damn title: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. I loved the Nathan Lane revival directed by Jerry Zaks which we caught on New Year's Eve that year, which was excuse enough for Nathan to riff on a million extra comedy bits. Good thing it's so hysterical too--I always found the score kind of lackluster.

GUYS & DOLLS gets honorable mention, speaking of Lane and Zaks.

[Mr. Nowack]

I don't know if I'm qualified to state the funniest of all time but in my own experience I would say THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE has got the most laughs out of me.

[BroadwayMan5]

The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, and Spelling Bee

[bwayphreak234]

I know I am the only one, but I found Bullets Over Broadway to be absolutely hilarious.

[Stage Door Sally]

Although it bordered on black comedy at times, I think Urinetown was supersmart funny. I also laugh my head off at a good production of Hello, Dolly!

[Leaf Coneybear]

Spelling bee, BoM, Heathers I wouldn't call a comedy but the comedic parts are amazing, avenue Q, Something rotten

[JoseLee_]

The Book of Mormon

[BroadwayConcierge]

Can't believe I forgot about Spelling Bee! I still miss that show so damn much.

[icecreambenjamin]

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is drop dead hilarious and a modern classic.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

I've never laughed harder at the theatre than I did when I saw Disaster!

[Scarywarhol]

Little Shop of Horrors. 

[JBroadway]

Another vote for Spelling Bee, here! Simply genius. I'd also like to throw out:

--Avenue Q (also genius) 

--The Book of Mormon (I'm pretty tired of it now, but when the jokes were fresh, they were really excellent!) 

--Gentleman's Guide (funny in a different way - more clever and witty than outright hilarious) 

--Spamalot (gotta love that Jew song) 

--Xanadu (laughed myself silly!) 

--[title of show] (not as funny as the others on the list, but still very funny)

I'd also like give a shoutout to One Man, Two Guvnors - a play with music. I've literally never laughed harder in the theatre in my entire life. So funny!

 

[mamaleh]

A Funny Thing, Spamalot, The Producers, Something Rotten & Disaster!---all hilarious.

(I'm in the minority on Spelling Bee, as I found it tedious as well as unfunny and untuneful.)

[¿Macavity?]

Parts of Cabaret make me nearly cry from laughter. Other parts, not so much. That's why I think that it's such a brilliant show. It perfectly mixes grade A comedy with heart crushing drama. But that's a thread of it's own, but on topic this show is hilarious.

[yankeefan7]

I agree with all the shows others have mentioned so I would add that "Hairspray" was pretty funny at times.

[After Eight]

Whoopie, Little Mary Sunshine, How to Succeed, The Student Gypsy...

[GavestonPS]

Someone in a Tree2 said: "The first obvious answer has funny in its damn title: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. I loved the Nathan Lane revival directed by Jerry Zaks which we caught on New Year's Eve that year, which was excuse enough for Nathan to riff on a million extra comedy bits. Good thing it's so hysterical too--I always found the score kind of lackluster.

GUYS & DOLLS gets honorable mention, speaking of Lane and Zaks.

 

"

Must you ALWAYS post what I was going to write and do it before I get a chance? Jeeze!

(Except I like the FORUM score.)

I worked on a production years ago with Milton Berle and not even HE could stop the laughs despite giving local restaurant reviews during key scenes.

***

That being said, the hardest I have ever laughed in a theater was during "Try Priest" at an early preview of SWEENEY TODD. I think it's an amusing song, but the comic relief makes it hysterical!

[GavestonPS]

CALL ME MADAM is not an example of great wit, but it gave Ethel Merman several opportunities to demonstrate why Sondheim calls her a "great low comedian". She did 10 minutes "in one" trying to learn to walk in a dress with a train: the bit was not just sidesplitting but quite literally unforgettable.

And I'm not a fan of slapstick as a rule.

***

And while I'm at it, LI'L ABNER may have the funniest score ever written. Johnny Mercer wrote honest-to-God jokes in nearly every song (where most musical comedy numbers merely make one smile) and they all land.

[Someone in a Tree2]

"Must you ALWAYS post what I was going to write and do it before I get a chance? Jeeze!"

Why Gaveston, that's my goal in life.

[devonian.t]

Think I'm part of the hive mind, too.

Nathan Lane's Forum possibly the funniest production ever.

Honorary mention for Spelling Bee, too, which was funny and endearing in equal measures.

[vfd88]

Another vote for Spelling Bee! Definitely the most I've laughed in a theater.

[hork]

I also think A Night in the Ukraine is hilarious.

"Your angelic face I regard as the face of a saint ... Bernard!"