Is West Side Story the best musical ever?

[EachandEveryone]

I just switched the telly on as it was starting. I’m sniffing already! I was listening to Elaine Paige this morning when she played a song from Blood Brothers and I was it bits doing my ironing!!! I haven’t seen many but I just adore West Side Story and B.B’s comes second.

No ones mentioned 'The sound of music' not only the best musical but THE best film ever! Les Mis a close second

Chicago and Jesus Christ Superstar would tie for third

SingingIn The Rain definitely.

Evita. Without Elaine Paige.

You all need to watch Notre Dame de Paris - or at least the clips of it. Seriously underrated, but completely in French - which I started relearning off the back of discovering it.

The best songs are Belle and Danse mon Esmaralda. I cried when I watched it the first time and I am going to see it in London when they come on their tour in February.

I love Rent, WSS and Blood Brothers. I could never love les Mis and I wanted to so badly!

I love it. It’s my favourite musical ever. I’m not a muso luvvie at all, so my opinion is based entirely on how much I like the story and the songs. I did study it for my O level music project though, although my thoughts were largely inspired by the notes on the record sleeve.

I saw WSS at the Haymarket theatre when I was about 13 and just fell in love with it. 30 years later, DS playing “One Heart” on his guitar in the end of year school concert bought a tear to my eye.

Judas I assume you have a copy of the 10th Anniversary concert? Colm Wilkinson, Philip Quast and Ruthie Henshall. Amazing stuff!

West Side Story definitely not my favourite. I prefer Cabaret, Chicago, Singin' In The Rain, 42nd Street, various modern musicals...

Someone upthread mentioned Fiddler on the Roof. Am I the only person who finds Fiddler both boring and depressing in equal measure?!

Mh Yes! Surprised it’s not worn out yet

It's in my top 5. But I also love Hamilton. And Carousel. And Fiddler. Catholic tastes when it comes to musicals!

Oh a recent entry - Everybody's talking about Jamie!

My absolute favourite too! Also love A Chorus Line and Funny Girl (also the really famous one with Marlon Brando singing ' luck be a lady' - aaagh, can't remember it now!). Bugsy Malone fantastic too.

I'm throwing in a wild card with Calamity Jane.
Doris Day, perfect.

Mhs02
Lost the will to live watching Fiddler.

Les Mis
Miss Saigon
West side story

Grease is the word.

Nothing rivals travolta and newton-john.

WSS is phemonemal - music, production, choreography. It’s possibly the best, but not my favourite.

You are all forgetting Little Shop of Horrors

This is the most sweetest song with Anita and Maria, on now

MrsPatmore, that's Guys and Dolls.

I have a ridiculously soft spot for State Fair — it's one of the less famous Rodgers and Hammerstein ones. It's objectively not that good, but I love it.

I like WSS, but if I could choose a musical to watch one last time, I don't think it would be the one I choose.

Guys and Dolls was super at the National a few years ago.

WSS is absolutely my favourite as a singer. This may be related to a concert version I performed in at the age of 17, conducted by the most charismatic, young conductor that I've ever worked with who I may have also had a massive crush on . Happy days!

WSS has a clever and tricky score but it's not my number 1. I love the wit of Chicago and love the Sunset Boulevard score. I also love Miss Saigon and have a thing for Guys and Dolls fades away after realising I love them all

It’s superb.
It ties with Oliver and TSOM for me.

It depends. I love the songs and the choreography, but the singing in the film version was just awful. A lot better on stage. Les Mis was good on film but even better on stage. No ones yet mentioned Book of Mormon...hilarious.

I've she'd a few tears. Wonder what happened to Maria ?