Although no songs from these musicals were my choices for best song of their prospective years, I wanted to give them an honorable mention.
The Little Shop of Horrors (1982):
This is a very strange musical adaptation of a very strange cult classic film. The 1960 film (in which Jack Nicholson makes one of his first short appearances--becoming their main selling point of the film now) is an unusual story of a mysterious plant that thrives on human blood. This "Vampire Trap" is also the subject of the musical. If you give the plant what it wants, it returns the favor. A very intriguing application is alluded to. I grew up watching the motion picture version of the musical (starring Rick Moranis) and was surprised by the "real" ending that is in the original musical. I would give it "must see" status.
Les Miserables (1985 - English Version):
Critics were upset that someone would defile such a classic piece of French literature by making into a musical. Those critics may still feel that way, but most music listeners wouldn't. Les Miserables has since become one of the longest running musicals of all time. I love the depiction of Val-Jean and Javert in the music. I have never seen the musical, so I can't say it is a "must see" but I will at least give it a "must listen" status.
The Phantom of the Opera (1986):
Andrew Lloyd Weber is one of the most famous and successful of all musical composers. He has had some of the biggest hit musicals of all time (Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar -- all from the 80's). However, my favorite of his creations is the Phantom of the Opera. This is another adaptation from a piece of classic French literature. For me the music creates the perfect dark atmosphere which supports the telling of this dark tale. I grew up listening to this musical and enjoy it more today than ever. Those of you in Las Vegas should take the chance to see it on the strip while you can. Can I come?
2 comments:
Phantom on the Strip is EXCELLENT. Sierra and I went for Christmas last year and wow.
P.S. Les Miserables isn't exciting to watch in the movie version of the "All-star" cast, but still very enjoyable. There isn't the acting element that you get in Phantom, but they are all in costumes and what not. I highly recommend it. I can't comment on whether or not there is "acting" in the normal Broadway musical version cause I haven't seen that.
I have seen some of that movie version. I was a bit confused to see them just standing there. I thought it might have been a special performance that was recorded. I would assume that the actual musical had acting in it, but I'm not really sure.
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