You never heard of them, but these musicals need a second act. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most notable stage and screen musicals that don’t get nearly enough recognition.
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00:00Heart and music keep us all alive.
00:06Welcome to Ms. Mojo. Today we'll be looking at the most notable stage
00:10and screen musicals that don't get nearly enough recognition.
00:13I'll give you truth and a future that's 20 times better than any Hollywood plot.
00:24Number 10. The Wild Party. A sexy and scandalous affair taking place during the prohibition,
00:29Andrew Lippa's musical sizzled off-Broadway in 2000.
00:40Inspired by Joseph Moncure March's identically titled 1928 poem, it features Queenie and Burrs,
00:46once passionate lovers, trying to reignite their spark by having a bash. However,
00:51their colorful array of attendees drives an even bigger wedge between the pair,
00:55thanks to wandering eyes and jealous rages.
00:58Some switcheroos of partners and some fun drugs, booze, sexual escapades.
01:07The show was nominated for 13 Drama Desk Awards, winning for Outstanding Music. It
01:12also received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. With its
01:17enthralling story, captivating characters, and thrilling score, we believe this show
01:21would be the life of the party on Broadway.
01:32Number 9. Ghost Quartet. A slight deviation from your traditional musical,
01:37Ghost Quartet is a song cycle chronicling four linked tales centering around two sisters,
01:41a deceitful astronomer, and a manipulative bear.
01:51The actors play various characters, with the story taking place over several centuries. Dave
01:58Molloy, who both wrote and starred in the show, called it, quote,
02:01"...a song cycle about love, death, and whiskey."
02:04Clearly he was onto something, though it sadly never achieved widespread acclaim.
02:08"...wanted to watch over someone, had unfinished work to do,
02:12soul wasn't a piece, I mean there's all sorts of reasons."
02:15Still, it was nominated for Outstanding Musical at the Drama League Awards,
02:19Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards,
02:21and Best Unique Theatrical Experience at the Off-Broadway Alliance Awards.
02:26This spirited show is sure to not only pique your interest, but capture your attention.
02:41Number 8. The Secret Garden. You might be a fan of Francis Hodgson Burnett's
02:461911 novel of the same name, or one of its movie adaptations, or Taylor Swift name drops,
02:51but the Amazing Musical version might be as much of a well-kept secret as its titular garden.
03:02Mary Lennox, an angry British kid in India, goes to stay with family in England during
03:07a cholera breakout. And a long-abandoned garden changes everything. The musical went to Broadway
03:12in 1991, delivering over 700 performances.
03:16"...will it grow?"
03:17"...it will."
03:18"...then have no doubt about it, we'll have the grandest garden ever seen."
03:26It won three Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical, Best Scenic Design,
03:30and Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Despite being a classic tale with a heartwarming story
03:35and breathtaking soundtrack, the show sadly never really blossomed.
03:42Number 7. The Lightning Thief, the Percy Jackson Musical. Another book-to-stage adaptation,
03:55The Lightning Thief centers on the titular teen's journey to retrieve Zeus's lightning bolt when he
03:59realizes he's a demigod. Peace among the gods depends on it. In addition to fun, poppin' tunes,
04:12and an exciting heroic quest, this under-appreciated show reminded audiences that
04:16valuable musicals exist beyond the bright lights of Broadway. How many other shows put a 12-year-old
04:22part-deity with ADHD and dyslexia at their forefront?
04:25"...no one ever tells me that they're proud, no one asks me, Percy, how'd you like to come
04:30around and stay?"
04:31Its off-Broadway run was met with plenty of acclaim, but unfortunately, its time on Broadway
04:36was critically panned. Still, it's a charming show with a memorable score. It may even be
04:41better than the film, so a revival would be divine.
04:52Number 6. Ruthless. We theater lovers enjoy a good send-up of the genre,
04:57and that's exactly what Ruthless is.
04:59"...Tina, you're on!"
05:01"...Hello, Mother!"
05:02"...Darling, we have company!"
05:04"...I love company!"
05:06"...Say hello to Miss St. Croix!"
05:11"...Hi!"
05:12Parodying shows like Gypsy and films like All About Eve, it had its off-Broadway debut in
05:171992 starring Laura Bell Bundy. Fun fact, Natalie Portman and Britney Spears were reportedly her
05:22understudies. In the show, we meet 8-year-old rising talent Tina, who's willing to do anything
05:27to be a star — and we mean anything.
05:30"...Hey, Hollywood, here I come!"
05:42This darkly comedic and twisted musical might be an acquired taste, but it's worth savoring.
05:47It was even awarded Best Off-Broadway Show at the Outer Critics Circle Awards in 1993,
05:52although it's been staged several times since. It sadly never found a home among mainstream
05:57theater-goers.
05:58"...You've got talent, so much talent!"
06:05Number 5. Little Me
06:07"...How is he?"
06:08"...When it hits a hundred, he dies. Like I needed that news!"
06:14If you enjoyed A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, this musical should be right up your
06:18alley. We meet Belle Poitrine, a star and socialite who's writing her autobiography.
06:23Belle started life on the wrong side of the tracks, but climbed to fame and fortune thanks
06:27to her wealth of admirers. Meanwhile, her relationships tend to end under inexplicable,
06:32unexpected, and bizarre circumstances.
06:35"...You go to the right or I'll go to the left."
06:39"...Closer, Fred."
06:41The original show was nominated for several Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
06:45It won for Best Choreography, courtesy of Bob Fosse. The musical was later heavily revised
06:51and resurrected, receiving a Best Revival Tony nomination in 1999.
06:55It's a darkly comedic story with unforgettable music, and it's time it got its dues.
07:00"...What I mean is, my chérie, c'est le grand coup for me."
07:07Number 4. Something Rotten
07:10If high school Shakespeare still plagues you, consider checking this musical out.
07:14English playwriting brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom can't seem to compete with the Beatles-like
07:18success of The Bard in 1595.
07:20"...and they're all eww, and he's all stop, and they're all yank, and I'm all bleh,
07:24and I'm really getting sick of it!"
07:26Nick visits a local soothsayer who introduces him to the concept of the musical,
07:30and foretells Shakespeare's next big project, Omelette, the show excited and amused audiences
07:36with extravagant show-stopping numbers, hilariously eccentric characters, and ingenious
07:41self-awareness.
07:42"...I'm big and shiny, mighty spiny, glitter glitz and chorus liney,
07:46bob your head and kick your hiney musical!"
07:49It received an impressive 10 Tony nominations, and never failed to bring the house down over
07:54the span of its 742 performances. We only wish more people got to enjoy this innovative and
07:59side-splittingly hysterical show. There's really nothing quite like a musical,
08:03and we hope this one gets its renaissance.
08:06Number 3. Finian's Rainbow. Debuting in 1947, this charming production has since been revived
08:12on Broadway four times. Still, many theater-goers have yet to discover this musical pot of gold.
08:19"...something in your eyes I see, soon begins bewitching me!"
08:27The story follows Irish singer Finian and his band, the Finians,
08:31who decide to plant stolen treasure in the U.S., hoping it'll provide him with more riches. But
08:36it's not that simple, as he's being tracked by its rightful and desperate leprechaun owner,
08:41while a shady politician is making his own plans.
08:44"...it located an amazing concentration of gold. The meter reacted so violently it broke the needle."
08:49"...oh, we're sorry about that needle, but we'll reimburse you. Now, uh, just where did this
08:54unfortunate needle break?"
08:56In addition to its original plot, the show boasts creative and soulful songs and melodies.
09:01Despite its compelling story and numerous earworms, the luck of the Irish has somehow
09:05yet to strike this underappreciated show.
09:08"...a kiss ain't a kiss, it's a crisis manifest, isn't love?"
09:17Number 2. Bear, a Pop Opera. A yet-to-be-uncovered musical,
09:22Bear is arguably one of the most important LGBTQIA-plus musicals of the 21st century.
09:27"...you have to give the world a chance, a chance to want, to see how deep the world can budge."
09:35It follows teens at a Catholic boarding school who are grappling with their identities and
09:39societal pressures. At the center are ill-fated couple Peter and Jason,
09:43who must keep their love a secret.
09:45They break up when the burden becomes too much to bear, but their affection for one another and
09:49the fear of being outed hovers. Sadly, the ending is heartbreaking. It's not an easy musical to
09:55digest by any means, but of course, that's the point. With relatable characters,
09:59bear is a perfect example of that.
10:01Number 1. The Musical.
10:03The musical is about a couple who are in love with each other, but they don't know
10:07what to do about it. It's a story about a couple who are in love with each other,
10:11but of course, that's the point. With relatable characters, mesmerizing numbers, and relevant
10:17themes that encourage viewers to dig deep, there's no doubt this masterful show deserves
10:21more recognition.
10:22"...one life, one voice."
10:31Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
10:35Bonnie and Clyde. This captivating musical about America's iconic outlawed couple is
10:39criminally underrated.
10:41"...we are the pair, the pair of discus. Yes, this world will remember us."
10:48High Fidelity. Using Nick Hornby's same-name novel as the source material,
10:52we explore the joys of living in the moment to a rockin' soundtrack.
10:56"...meet the sort of go-getter in a second hand stretcher and the last real record shop on Earth."
11:06The unsinkable Molly Brown. Margaret Brown lived through the RMS Titanic's demise,
11:11and this is a captivating, dramatized reimagining of her story.
11:29The Beautiful Game. A lesser-known but incredibly touching Andrew Lloyd Webber
11:33musical about soccer during the Northern Ireland conflict.
11:41The Title of Show. A hilarious meta-production about writing the show as for the New York
11:46Musical Theatre Festival.
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12:12Number 1. Parade. Based on true events, this story delves into love,
12:17light, and hope at a time of religious intolerance, racial tensions, and political
12:22prejudice. Leo Frank, a Jewish man living in Georgia, is falsely accused of killing
12:26his employee Mary Fagan in 1913. And he said, no, no, it ain't my fault that girl is dead.
12:33He said, no, no, that's what he said. That's what he said.
12:37He's dragged through an essentially pre-determined trial, declared guilty,
12:41and receives a death sentence. His wife successfully campaigns to save him,
12:45only for a mob to take his life into their own hands.
12:52It's powerful, ingenious, and daring, with a score that will melt your heart and a story
12:57that'll make it ache. It offers a vital moral lesson about the dangers of intolerance and
13:01discrimination that remains timely. It's high time more folks knew about this compelling and
13:06heart-rending masterpiece. Which musical do you think deserves more time in the spotlight?
13:19Sing it out in the comments.
13:20I was born to entertain. How you doing? It's a rhetorical question.
13:27Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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