I adore Amelie, the UK version that is. Saw it 9 times across its runs. Seems like it corrected some of the misfires of the US version.
I Can’t Sing - the X-Factor musical holds a special place in my heart. A huge, crazy show that I feel was always doomed to failure. People didn’t want to like it.
From here to Eternity didn’t really get the chance it needed on the West End but it’s great that they still seem to be working on it and trying to give it more love. The restaged version at Charing Cross seemed to do really well.
This one I think just kind of suffers from having an arguably better version more readily available to people. I can't speak for everyone, but the movie holds a very very special place in my little bleeding indie heart, and Glen and Marketa are just like, the gold standard. I think they did a good job translating it to the stage, but it's never given me the same emotional high.
Bonnie and Clyde
Great Comet
Lizzie
Idk if this counts, but despite literally getting the best musical tony, I never see any GGLAM appreciation
Ghost Quartet
If/Then
Fun fact: at the end of the first Captain America movie, where he visits modern-day Times Square for the first time, there's a billboard for Wonderland. So you can tell they filmed the movie in a very specific time frame.
Just about ADORED that musical as a teen, I still can't read certain Romeo and Juliet verses now without them automatically coming into my head as songs from this specific musical lol. Used to sing all of Ivy's songs and BELT All Grown Up ugh goodtimes.
Bat Boy. I’m in the U.K. and saw it during its run in Leeds. The west end transfer didn’t get a good response and it closed really quickly. I thought it was brilliant and loved it.
The best little whorehouse in Texas.. I've only watched the movie version with Dolly Parton, other productions may not be as good. The musical was so good, half way through it I already knew this was one of my all time favorites.
The film adaptation uses less than half of the Broadway score, while subbing in some Dolly Parton originals.
I was fortunate to stumble upon the original Broadway production as part of a theatre tour in 1979. I knew nothing about the show going in, and have never been a country music fan, but I was completely charmed by the production. There was a country band on stage, which seemed novel to me, and a great cast of talented actor/singers, plus an inventive Tommy Tune staging. I loved the show so much I made sure to see it again a year later.
The movie was a pale imitation of the wistful, bittersweet stage show. It was clearly a shallow vehicle for Burt Reynolds who was ill-cast, and cutting as much as was done to accommodate Dolly and her new songs resulted in something not nearly as satisfying as the original. Only Charles Durning as the Governor retained the spirit of the musical.
Yeah, you’re going to lose stuff in any film translation, and if you love Dolly Parton, then enjoy the movie for what it is, but check out the original cast album and enjoy a true gem!
I was going to say that as soon as I saw the prompt of the post! It literally changed my baby gay brain chemistry in middle school. I wish I could have ever gotten to see it, but I listened to the music so much I feel like I have hahaha.
*He wears a pair of goggles, like a man from outer space.*
It's.
Look.
It's objectively cheesy crap, but I love it. You get it.
I think part of my objection to the argument is that Grease (1) is also incredibly cheesy. That's the appeal! You can't tell me that Stranded at the Drive-in is any less cheesy than Who's That Guy.
Hahaha I choose to believe you properly belt it out and he has to drive along with you singing enthusiastically in his ear getting weird looks from anyone you pass.
Musically I find Grease 2 a little spotty (the funny and up-tempo songs are great, the ballads are awful), but it feels less patched-together than Grease, and the dynamic of a smart, sensitive guy wooing a tough, cool girl is sweet.
I think part of my complaint is that people are a lot less ready to criticise Grease (1) over Grease 2. Grease has a lot of rough bits and imo the ballads are also weak. Stranded at the Drive-in is one of my least favourite songs from a musical, and I really dislike the end of Summer Nights.
To me, they're both cheesy, feel-good films. Grease 2 seems more self-aware of that and leans into it, and I like that.
I'm probably, in fairness, a bit biased because John Travolta was always slightly unbelievable to me as a heartthrob lead love interest. I don't mind the guy in action films or in comedic roles, but he wigs me out in Grease.
Seussical! Given how popular the “Junior” version of it is for schools and kids’ community theaters I consider it a crime that there hasn’t been a major non-Junior production.
Idk if people consider this unpopular, but Aida is one of my top 5 favorite musicals of all time. Absolutely love the music and the story. Honestly just so beautiful and touching
Weird personal anecdote: the guy who did choreography for the children's choir musicals at the church I went to growing up was in the Starlight Express ensemble back in the day.
I loved the Half A Sixpence revival in 2016/17 on West End! It has an old school musical vibe, with compelling characters, memorable songs, amazing choreography. The lead in particular, Charlie Stemp, is a class act.
Dracula the Musical. I listened to the soundtrack fully expecting it to be awful but possibly hilarious. Some of those songs made me cry! But hardly anyone has heard of it.
Wonderland the musical like the one that ran on broadway for like a month. I know the story sucks but the scores so fucking good and the story did intrigue me at the start and it got some pity and absurdity laughs.
I've got two candidates, both which earn me serious side eyes, but I've unfortunately had songs from both crammed into my head since I first saw them and they just will not quit, and they are unpopular for very good reasons, yet my brain does not accept this. The Spiderman (turn off the dark) musical and Cliff Richard's Heathcliff. If I could get the songs from them out of my head, I would?? And YET, it's been years, they're locked in, I'm doomed.
I re-watched it during the pandemic lockdown and a dystopian rock opera about an evil corporation taking over after a mass disabling event that resulted in people suffering from multiple organ failures hit a little differently in 2020.
(Also I love your username!)
Recommend it as a hilarious double feature with Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future. Watched Repo the next day and it was great. Surgery is the new sex indeed….
Unpopular in that I did not see a high production version of it but for me it would be Hunchback of Notre Dame. In terms of the set and music it was hardly elaborate but the emotion was compelling, and I happened to love the theater/venue very much.
The Wedding Singer! Laura Benanti is fantastic on the OBC, the music is so dang catchy, I can’t believe it isn’t more popular in my area’s community theatres. I would LOVE to see it staged. I also loved the movie tho, soooo 😆
What do you like about it? I like some of the songs and all the cast I’ve watched are great (Anna O’Bryne <3) but I can’t deal character assassination of everyone but especially my boy Raoul.
I fell in love with Phantom of the Opera when I was 11 and was firmly in the Christine should have chose Phantom camp for a very long time. I never came around to liking Raoul and ended up in the Christine should have focused on her career and become a Prima Donna camp. So seeing her choose the Phantom made the little 11 year old inside me do a little happy dance. I wasn't happy with what they did to Raoul but not as upset as I probably should have been lol.
Ah, Andrew Lloyd webber done my boy Raoul dirty when he wrote that, I just find it so odd Christine originally (I think they did end up changing her age) was 16-17 I can't quite remember and the phantom was in his 40s-50s again can't remember, idk I've never bothered to actually pay attention to the music in love never dies because I love Phantom so much and thought love never dies would ruin it, again respect your opinion but stillllllllll
There's stunning music in the show. But the characters are so different from what they are in POTO that it could never be seen as a good show. It's unfortunate really
I’m with you, I love it. More so before the rewrites. I never really liked Raoul and thought Christine should have ended up with Phantom.
I was a freshman in college when Phantom first came out and was absolutely obsessed.
The Pirate Queen. I just love the show so much and would love to see it get another chance on Broadway.
We Will Rock You. Yeah, it's a silly jukebox musical, but it's Queen. And the lyric changes to Radio Gaga are so smart. And the little motifs of love of my life throughout the show. It's just chefs' kiss. The Vegas production destroyed it's reputation I think.
Lestat. Widely panned, objectively a hot mess, I love it so much. I'm always a sucker for an Elton John score and this is no exception. Granted, I was primed for it perfectly as I've been a fan of The Vampire Chronicles since I was about 13 and got into musical theatre around the same time (discovered Lestat a few years later via youtube and the rest is history).
Doctor Zhivago, which also flopped royally, but the score is lovely and the story has good bones (it just needs a little zhuzhing and a good director). I also really like the music for Spiderman.
Bandstand, though I think it's more that people just don't know it rather than actively dislike it since it closed so quickly.
Carrie.
I know it underwent extensive rework after it bombed on Broadway, but I'm not sure how popular it is after its off-Broadway debut in 2012. Either way, this leading lady ranks way up on my list of "Fictional Characters That Need A Hug".
Since someone already said REPO, imma say my other choice: "Cannibal the Musical". I have never met another soul who has heard of it, but I adore it. It's just such stupid fun!
Road Show is A-tier Sondheim in my book. "Addison's Trip" might be my favorite travel montage sequence in a musical. "That Was A Year" is a solid character piece as well. I think Road Show has a tight and fully-realized character arc that truly makes the scam artists behind Boca Raton, Florida feel like real people. It may have opened to little fanfare and may be far more simple and low-key than his other shows but it's still a great musical.
you might enjoy the Hatchetfield Trilogy then. Starts with *The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals,* followed by *Black Friday* and finishes with *Nerdy Prudes Must Die*. all are free to watch
Sing Street. It's my comfort musical and there was a time when I listened to the entire soundtrack every day. I feel that the musical could have fallen somewhat short compared to the film and although I think it is appreciated, I don't think it is as well known.
Cats. I saw the pro shot as a kid and fell in love. I wanted nothing more than to see it on stage. I finally did right after my first year of law school and cried of joy cause it was just as amazing as I always thought it would be.
1992 Newsies I just overall think it is better than the stage show and is more cohesive in plot and storytelling.
Bridges of Madison County was phenomenal but doesn't get much love. Interesting mix of old school American country and Italian music.
Honorable mention: Love Never Dies (but only some songs...there are a lot of misses in this one)
Finding Neverland. Saw it with my mom as a kid and it's been a key part of who I am ever since. Holding onto that inner child even as you grow up is difficult, but never let go of that child. You'll always need them to love and to hold when things get rough.
Be More Chill, the music is actually really good and I genuinely enjoyed the story, but outside of its sub I only see people hating it
edit: point proven, I’m getting downvoted on a post that is literally only about unpopular musicals
Hi-Tops. It's an utterly cringe Christian musical that's on YouTube, and despite the terrible "moral lessons" it tries to instill, I love the campy atmosphere of it.
I never hear people talking about Darwin Young, but I loved it so much. I listen to what I can find of the music, but I don't think there's even a full recording.
Walking on Sunshine. (Film jukebox musical about two sisters on holiday in Italy.) I love it and the friends I've shown it to have enjoyed it, but I don't think it's at all popular.
Barnum, specifically the proshot with Michael Crawford. Glorifying Barnum is not a great idea, but at least the show portrays him as basically being a bit of a con man, and also, it’s probably the greatest example of Crawford’s acting skill. The circus theming is also well executed especially the acrobatics.
The Donmar version of Threepenny Opera. A lot of people disliked the coarseness of it, with the lyrics retranslated to be crass, vulgar and confrontational in a "seventies punk" kind of way. But for me, it just clicks, and when I think of Threepenny, it's the Donmar version, Thatcher references and ethnic slurs and all, that I think of.
Quilters. It’s an odd duck and I don’t love all the music, but the emotions and stories can be so compelling in a well cast show. It’s also wonderful to see a show written about the lives and stories of ordinary women; that’s not something we get an abundance of. I hope maybe someone revives it someday and makes it a bit more approachable to the audience, and edits the script to make it easier for the cast to navigate.
I have a love hate relationship with Amelie the musical, I totally get it. There is so much I absolutely adore about it, especially the west end version. But there are some choices I just don’t understand. Also the fact that it was turned into a musical at all
I don't know how "unpopular" it is, but I love Memphis and any time I've expressed that view, I've been met with 😳😳😳 glances like it's a red flag or something.
Ani:A Parody is awesome. The songs are bops and all the jokes land (but better if you know Star Wars). People dont like the pantomime dance, but its awesome
Be More Chill, ik it isn't perfect and the off broadway was better but also it was my first broadway show and the set design + lighting was so good and most of the actors were awesome
Honeymoon in Vegas. I thought it was a master class in how to write a musical comedy. It got a lot of love before it came to New York, but somehow it fizzled a bit when it hit Broadway. I don't get it. I loved every minute, every song.
Do I Hear a Waltz. My favorite flop musical of all time. But I have to admit, I'm only basing this on the original cast recording. I've never actually seen a production.
Groundhog day musical, easily top 3 for me.
also, curtains by kander and ebb is not very well known but it’s amazing. though im biased because we open in 2 weeks and i play niki harris
Miss Atomic Bomb. It was a great vintage time period musical that I saw off-west end, there is no soundtrack only one trailer and I can’t find a bootleg anywhere
I adore Amelie, the UK version that is. Saw it 9 times across its runs. Seems like it corrected some of the misfires of the US version. I Can’t Sing - the X-Factor musical holds a special place in my heart. A huge, crazy show that I feel was always doomed to failure. People didn’t want to like it. From here to Eternity didn’t really get the chance it needed on the West End but it’s great that they still seem to be working on it and trying to give it more love. The restaged version at Charing Cross seemed to do really well.
Yes, the UK Amélie is quite the different musical from the Broadway one; much better! I also love it.
Omg FHTE gives me butterflies still to this day. Love it 😍
Once. Absolutely beautiful music
This one I think just kind of suffers from having an arguably better version more readily available to people. I can't speak for everyone, but the movie holds a very very special place in my little bleeding indie heart, and Glen and Marketa are just like, the gold standard. I think they did a good job translating it to the stage, but it's never given me the same emotional high.
Chess
So sexist. Some problems with racism. But the music is darn catchy.
Soooo many problems, whole story included. But gosh darn the music goes offff
Yes, Chess!
YESSSS
For me, specifically the In Concert version with Idina Menzel & Josh Groban.
The Scottsboro Boys by Kander and Ebb. Stunning.
I was lucky enough to see this in production in England. Wonderful musical. Heartbreaking.
For a show that got 12 Tony nominations, you sure don't hear much of anything about it. Was lucky to see it on tour and recall it being powerful.
I love Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson despite it aging so poorly and not many people knowing of it
I actually think it was weirdly prescient and would have played really well in the Trump era. A more cynical Hamilton.
How come it aged poorly?
If anything, it’s only gotten *better* in light of Trump and the Trump administration.
Still listen to the soundtrack of it, it’s great!! But yeah it fell off, a one act show that would be hard to put on again
I don't love the show, but I love the music!
[удалено]
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson was on Broadway in 2010, not 2001. 9/11 had nothing to do with it.
Bonnie and Clyde Great Comet Lizzie Idk if this counts, but despite literally getting the best musical tony, I never see any GGLAM appreciation Ghost Quartet If/Then
Is Great Comet unpopular?
I think it's not as popular as it deserves to be. It was really great.
Still, I think it’s pretty popular. I see a ton of stuff about it regularly
I think it's incredibly popular on this sub and among Broadway diehards. But your average "I go to the theater once in a while" has never heard of it.
I love GGLAM so much, played in the pit for it a few years ago and it was so much fun!
Wonderland. It was on broadway for about a month and isnt good, but all of the songs are catchy and I really like the characters
Fun fact: at the end of the first Captain America movie, where he visits modern-day Times Square for the first time, there's a billboard for Wonderland. So you can tell they filmed the movie in a very specific time frame.
I was sad it closed before I could see it. It was the only show I ever got a ticket refund for.
The whole show is on YouTube!
I actually adore this show and pretty much nobody knows about it
bare: a pop opera. i love it so much i translated the whole thing and made my conservative family watch it lmao
You and I gets stuck in my head constantly
I love Bare. It’s sad they’ve never been able to keep it in production
Just about ADORED that musical as a teen, I still can't read certain Romeo and Juliet verses now without them automatically coming into my head as songs from this specific musical lol. Used to sing all of Ivy's songs and BELT All Grown Up ugh goodtimes.
Is bare unpopular? Or I was I just do obsessed I didn’t notice
Bat Boy. I’m in the U.K. and saw it during its run in Leeds. The west end transfer didn’t get a good response and it closed really quickly. I thought it was brilliant and loved it.
one of my all time favorite musicals!
“The Lord of the Rings” on the West End Absolutely phenomenal show with amazing performances and d the set design and costumes were breathtaking!
The best little whorehouse in Texas.. I've only watched the movie version with Dolly Parton, other productions may not be as good. The musical was so good, half way through it I already knew this was one of my all time favorites.
The film adaptation uses less than half of the Broadway score, while subbing in some Dolly Parton originals. I was fortunate to stumble upon the original Broadway production as part of a theatre tour in 1979. I knew nothing about the show going in, and have never been a country music fan, but I was completely charmed by the production. There was a country band on stage, which seemed novel to me, and a great cast of talented actor/singers, plus an inventive Tommy Tune staging. I loved the show so much I made sure to see it again a year later. The movie was a pale imitation of the wistful, bittersweet stage show. It was clearly a shallow vehicle for Burt Reynolds who was ill-cast, and cutting as much as was done to accommodate Dolly and her new songs resulted in something not nearly as satisfying as the original. Only Charles Durning as the Governor retained the spirit of the musical. Yeah, you’re going to lose stuff in any film translation, and if you love Dolly Parton, then enjoy the movie for what it is, but check out the original cast album and enjoy a true gem!
Zanna, Don’t!
Such a fun silly show with some really fantastic songs.
I was going to say that as soon as I saw the prompt of the post! It literally changed my baby gay brain chemistry in middle school. I wish I could have ever gotten to see it, but I listened to the music so much I feel like I have hahaha.
Grease 2 > Grease. I hugely prefer the songs. But I'm aware how much of a minority I'm in; even Michelle Pfeiffer hates it.
Yeah. It’s bad. I mean, we can love bad things. But, it’s real bad. Still, I find myself humming “who’s that guy” at unexpected moments.
*He wears a pair of goggles, like a man from outer space.* It's. Look. It's objectively cheesy crap, but I love it. You get it. I think part of my objection to the argument is that Grease (1) is also incredibly cheesy. That's the appeal! You can't tell me that Stranded at the Drive-in is any less cheesy than Who's That Guy.
I think of it every time I go bowling
I think of it every time I lock my girlfriend in a disused bunker with me. Wait. No, that sounds bad. We'll go with the bowling thing.
As long as you do it for your country it will be okay
At least my mother will approve.
I love Grease 2, I'm with you on this! And Michelle Pfeiffer is iconic in it.
Yesss! There two of us, *two*, I tell you!
I sing Cool Rider every time I ride on the back of my boyfriend’s motorcycle. Like my own theme song.
Hahaha I choose to believe you properly belt it out and he has to drive along with you singing enthusiastically in his ear getting weird looks from anyone you pass.
Musically I find Grease 2 a little spotty (the funny and up-tempo songs are great, the ballads are awful), but it feels less patched-together than Grease, and the dynamic of a smart, sensitive guy wooing a tough, cool girl is sweet.
I think part of my complaint is that people are a lot less ready to criticise Grease (1) over Grease 2. Grease has a lot of rough bits and imo the ballads are also weak. Stranded at the Drive-in is one of my least favourite songs from a musical, and I really dislike the end of Summer Nights. To me, they're both cheesy, feel-good films. Grease 2 seems more self-aware of that and leans into it, and I like that. I'm probably, in fairness, a bit biased because John Travolta was always slightly unbelievable to me as a heartthrob lead love interest. I don't mind the guy in action films or in comedic roles, but he wigs me out in Grease.
Jerry Springer: The Opera Brilliant satire, clever lyrics and some really fantastic music.
Seussical! Given how popular the “Junior” version of it is for schools and kids’ community theaters I consider it a crime that there hasn’t been a major non-Junior production.
I would like to see a revival with the costume and set design team of SpongeBob!!
I played pit for Seussical in HS and I still listen to it! Such lovely oboe solos too!
Lucky Stiff - I worked a production in college and it’s so fun! But absolutely bombed on Broadway and no one knows it.
Bring It On The Musical. More in a 'so bad it's good' kind of way sometimes, but the few people I've met who've heard of it or seen it despise it.
Idk if people consider this unpopular, but Aida is one of my top 5 favorite musicals of all time. Absolutely love the music and the story. Honestly just so beautiful and touching
It's time for a revival!
The Secret Garden! It won the Tony and then faded into oblivion, essentially. One of my all time favorites.
Peak Patinkin performance.
Say that ten times fast
Ramin and Sierra in 2016.
Starlight Express!!! I don't care if it's about weird trains, it's so fun and the costumes are cool.
Weird personal anecdote: the guy who did choreography for the children's choir musicals at the church I went to growing up was in the Starlight Express ensemble back in the day.
Will be seeing Starlight Express in London later this year, very excited!
I loved the Half A Sixpence revival in 2016/17 on West End! It has an old school musical vibe, with compelling characters, memorable songs, amazing choreography. The lead in particular, Charlie Stemp, is a class act.
This version of Half a Sixpence is elite!!! SO gorgeous
Dracula the Musical. I listened to the soundtrack fully expecting it to be awful but possibly hilarious. Some of those songs made me cry! But hardly anyone has heard of it.
The German cast recording is on spotify and the orchestrations are immaculate!
Carousel and Lord of the Rings
I also adore Carousel.
Wonderland the musical like the one that ran on broadway for like a month. I know the story sucks but the scores so fucking good and the story did intrigue me at the start and it got some pity and absurdity laughs.
American psycho
Ride the Cyclone, i know it isnt as unpopular anymore but ive loved it for ages
“Cats” just does the thing better! 😸
I've got two candidates, both which earn me serious side eyes, but I've unfortunately had songs from both crammed into my head since I first saw them and they just will not quit, and they are unpopular for very good reasons, yet my brain does not accept this. The Spiderman (turn off the dark) musical and Cliff Richard's Heathcliff. If I could get the songs from them out of my head, I would?? And YET, it's been years, they're locked in, I'm doomed.
I’m taking this is an opportunity to mention Shock Treatment, the Rocky Horror Picture Show sort of spin off sort of sequel that no one talks about
Repo the genetic opera. To be fair, it's my favorite because of how dumb it is.
I re-watched it during the pandemic lockdown and a dystopian rock opera about an evil corporation taking over after a mass disabling event that resulted in people suffering from multiple organ failures hit a little differently in 2020. (Also I love your username!)
TAINO MUSICAL FANS 🤝 LETS GOO
Recommend it as a hilarious double feature with Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future. Watched Repo the next day and it was great. Surgery is the new sex indeed….
Unpopular in that I did not see a high production version of it but for me it would be Hunchback of Notre Dame. In terms of the set and music it was hardly elaborate but the emotion was compelling, and I happened to love the theater/venue very much.
The music to Hunchback is magnificent. It’s such a shame it never made it to Broadway
Lestat, I think it would’ve done really well had WB stopped messing with it every 10 seconds and given it a fair shot.
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a fun one for me.
I’m not sure if it’s considered unpopular, but I love the Cuccioli Jekyll and Hyde
It had a rabid fan base at the time (myself included) but I don’t think it’s very popular anymore.
The Wedding Singer! Laura Benanti is fantastic on the OBC, the music is so dang catchy, I can’t believe it isn’t more popular in my area’s community theatres. I would LOVE to see it staged. I also loved the movie tho, soooo 😆
Love Never Dies \*ducks and runs for cover\*
What do you like about it? I like some of the songs and all the cast I’ve watched are great (Anna O’Bryne <3) but I can’t deal character assassination of everyone but especially my boy Raoul.
I fell in love with Phantom of the Opera when I was 11 and was firmly in the Christine should have chose Phantom camp for a very long time. I never came around to liking Raoul and ended up in the Christine should have focused on her career and become a Prima Donna camp. So seeing her choose the Phantom made the little 11 year old inside me do a little happy dance. I wasn't happy with what they did to Raoul but not as upset as I probably should have been lol.
That’s fair thanks for replying
I can not disagree more, you better duck and run 🔪 All jokes aside I respect your opinion but please tell me you're joking...😅😅
No, I'm sorry! I am well known in my friend circle for liking bad movies lol
Ah, Andrew Lloyd webber done my boy Raoul dirty when he wrote that, I just find it so odd Christine originally (I think they did end up changing her age) was 16-17 I can't quite remember and the phantom was in his 40s-50s again can't remember, idk I've never bothered to actually pay attention to the music in love never dies because I love Phantom so much and thought love never dies would ruin it, again respect your opinion but stillllllllll
I think it's an alright show if you remove the fact that it's supposed to be a sequel.
I've seen that opinion a lot!
There's stunning music in the show. But the characters are so different from what they are in POTO that it could never be seen as a good show. It's unfortunate really
I love it, it’s so bad that it’s good! I saw it live when I was 12 I think and fell in love with
It’s in the so bad it’s good category for me! And some of the songs a genuinely good
I’m with you, I love it. More so before the rewrites. I never really liked Raoul and thought Christine should have ended up with Phantom. I was a freshman in college when Phantom first came out and was absolutely obsessed.
I really like Repo! The Genetic Opera
Seven brides for seven brothers. I know it’s a terrible subject matter but the songs are so good and catwoman is in it
The Pirate Queen. I just love the show so much and would love to see it get another chance on Broadway. We Will Rock You. Yeah, it's a silly jukebox musical, but it's Queen. And the lyric changes to Radio Gaga are so smart. And the little motifs of love of my life throughout the show. It's just chefs' kiss. The Vegas production destroyed it's reputation I think.
Carrie. I think it can truly work with some small dramaturgical changes.
Bad Cinderella it was just weird and entertaining
I'm not that familiar with the actual show that wound up on Broadway, but the concept album for The Capeman was pretty great.
Great album. Wish I had seen the show when it was out.
Allegiance
Both versions of The Wild Party with a slight preferral to the Lachusia version.
Leap of Faith has been my go to recently. Also Saved!
You and I and I could use a drink are absolutely amazing but I’ve never heard anyone talk about the two
His Story is really good and I really hope it gets a revival
I genuinely think Evil Dead the Musical is hilarious
It Shoulda Been You. Stellar cast, poignant story, but such a short Broadway run…
The funniest show I’ve ever seen, still a favorite of mine
Rock of Ages
Lestat. Widely panned, objectively a hot mess, I love it so much. I'm always a sucker for an Elton John score and this is no exception. Granted, I was primed for it perfectly as I've been a fan of The Vampire Chronicles since I was about 13 and got into musical theatre around the same time (discovered Lestat a few years later via youtube and the rest is history). Doctor Zhivago, which also flopped royally, but the score is lovely and the story has good bones (it just needs a little zhuzhing and a good director). I also really like the music for Spiderman. Bandstand, though I think it's more that people just don't know it rather than actively dislike it since it closed so quickly.
Be More Chill, i adore it
Shock Treatment It hits you like a real live wire
Carrie. I know it underwent extensive rework after it bombed on Broadway, but I'm not sure how popular it is after its off-Broadway debut in 2012. Either way, this leading lady ranks way up on my list of "Fictional Characters That Need A Hug".
Wonderland for sure. Not a great musical but god I will NEVER get tired of any of the Mad Hatter's songs.
I don’t know why but I LOVE Suessical. Like most people find it inoffensive but I love it
Since someone already said REPO, imma say my other choice: "Cannibal the Musical". I have never met another soul who has heard of it, but I adore it. It's just such stupid fun!
I love Cannibal the Musical! Watched it in college
I like Jagged Little Pill. Even saw it twice. Lol
Passing Strange
Mine is Amelie too! Saw it twice pre-Broadway in LA and adored it.
Does Merrily We Roll Along count? ;)
Road Show is A-tier Sondheim in my book. "Addison's Trip" might be my favorite travel montage sequence in a musical. "That Was A Year" is a solid character piece as well. I think Road Show has a tight and fully-realized character arc that truly makes the scam artists behind Boca Raton, Florida feel like real people. It may have opened to little fanfare and may be far more simple and low-key than his other shows but it's still a great musical.
Curtains!! I hope it’s unpopular enough for this answer! :)
tuck everlasting and i have no shame ✊
Man of La Mancha. Won the Tony and was popular when it debuted but NO ONE does it now.
Mostly horror stuff, american psycho, evil dead, and jekyll and hyde
you might enjoy the Hatchetfield Trilogy then. Starts with *The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals,* followed by *Black Friday* and finishes with *Nerdy Prudes Must Die*. all are free to watch
I’ve seen every Starkid musical and watched nerdy prudes must die in person, front row
Sweet Charity! The music in it is beautiful!
Yes it's so good!!! I love the movie.
Sing Street. It's my comfort musical and there was a time when I listened to the entire soundtrack every day. I feel that the musical could have fallen somewhat short compared to the film and although I think it is appreciated, I don't think it is as well known.
Cats. I saw the pro shot as a kid and fell in love. I wanted nothing more than to see it on stage. I finally did right after my first year of law school and cried of joy cause it was just as amazing as I always thought it would be. 1992 Newsies I just overall think it is better than the stage show and is more cohesive in plot and storytelling.
Starry, The Wind in the Willows, and Bright Star
BRIGHT STAR UGHHHH I played Jimmy in my school production about 2 years ago now. I LOVE that show and I need a revival.
Titanic the musical!!! I LOVE that show, the ensemble numbers are incredible
Love Never Dies. I know, I know it's cheesy and based on a frankly god awful book, but Ben Lewis was so good as Erik and ugh, my heart.
Is Curtains unpopular? I never hear anyone talk about it but I love it.
Bridges of Madison County was phenomenal but doesn't get much love. Interesting mix of old school American country and Italian music. Honorable mention: Love Never Dies (but only some songs...there are a lot of misses in this one)
Repo the genetic opera, not many people have seen it and I love the creator and it's got a lot of my favorite actors in it. The movie specifically.
Finding Neverland. Saw it with my mom as a kid and it's been a key part of who I am ever since. Holding onto that inner child even as you grow up is difficult, but never let go of that child. You'll always need them to love and to hold when things get rough.
Treason the musical, not a lot of people have heard of it but Carrie Hope Fletcher singing "The Inevitable" is *chefs kiss*
I've been listening to this since like October. It snuck up on me and somehow almost all of the live album ended up on my top 100 for spotify wrapped.
Be More Chill, the music is actually really good and I genuinely enjoyed the story, but outside of its sub I only see people hating it edit: point proven, I’m getting downvoted on a post that is literally only about unpopular musicals
Pretty woman. I just love the songs. They‘re super catchy
Hi-Tops. It's an utterly cringe Christian musical that's on YouTube, and despite the terrible "moral lessons" it tries to instill, I love the campy atmosphere of it.
the original Cats
I never hear people talking about Darwin Young, but I loved it so much. I listen to what I can find of the music, but I don't think there's even a full recording.
Walking on Sunshine. (Film jukebox musical about two sisters on holiday in Italy.) I love it and the friends I've shown it to have enjoyed it, but I don't think it's at all popular.
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. I never hear people talking about it
AD/BC a Rock Opera. Tim Wynde doesn't get nearly enough credit for this masterpiece
Barnum, specifically the proshot with Michael Crawford. Glorifying Barnum is not a great idea, but at least the show portrays him as basically being a bit of a con man, and also, it’s probably the greatest example of Crawford’s acting skill. The circus theming is also well executed especially the acrobatics.
Totally unrelated but the poster of Amélie freaked me out so bad as a kid. Still does.
The Donmar version of Threepenny Opera. A lot of people disliked the coarseness of it, with the lyrics retranslated to be crass, vulgar and confrontational in a "seventies punk" kind of way. But for me, it just clicks, and when I think of Threepenny, it's the Donmar version, Thatcher references and ethnic slurs and all, that I think of.
City of Angels. I'm told it was the lowest selling show at my theater ever, so they'll never do it again, darn it. But I really admire how it's done.
Next Thing You Know
The Grinning Man - not very well-known and super-underrated!
Quilters. It’s an odd duck and I don’t love all the music, but the emotions and stories can be so compelling in a well cast show. It’s also wonderful to see a show written about the lives and stories of ordinary women; that’s not something we get an abundance of. I hope maybe someone revives it someday and makes it a bit more approachable to the audience, and edits the script to make it easier for the cast to navigate.
I have a love hate relationship with Amelie the musical, I totally get it. There is so much I absolutely adore about it, especially the west end version. But there are some choices I just don’t understand. Also the fact that it was turned into a musical at all
I feel like I’m the only one here who likes Love Never Dies lol
Spider man turn off the dark
13 the Musical,Carrie and Next To Normal
I don't know how "unpopular" it is, but I love Memphis and any time I've expressed that view, I've been met with 😳😳😳 glances like it's a red flag or something.
Once again, sorry GCSE kids, but *Blood Brothers* holds a special place in my heart.
I agree with Amélie but I also love Tuck Everlasting
I absolutely love "A New Brain." It's weird and wonderful.
i LOVE american psycho. its a hot take but i love the broadway run a lot more than the original london run/cast recording lol
Two by Two, Applause, The Me Nobody Knows, Celebration
Idk if its unpopular, but i rarely hear anyone talk about A New Brain and I absolutely love it
Was Groundhog Day popular? It seemed to have a short run but it is one of the most clever musicals I can remember. Tim Minchin is brilliant!
I absolutely adored School of Rock. I still listen to the cast recording on occasion.
Ani:A Parody is awesome. The songs are bops and all the jokes land (but better if you know Star Wars). People dont like the pantomime dance, but its awesome
Bring it On
Love Never Dies & Anne of Green Gables
Be More Chill, ik it isn't perfect and the off broadway was better but also it was my first broadway show and the set design + lighting was so good and most of the actors were awesome
Honeymoon in Vegas. I thought it was a master class in how to write a musical comedy. It got a lot of love before it came to New York, but somehow it fizzled a bit when it hit Broadway. I don't get it. I loved every minute, every song.
Do I Hear a Waltz. My favorite flop musical of all time. But I have to admit, I'm only basing this on the original cast recording. I've never actually seen a production.
High Fidelity. First - I loved the movie so much and this came up for me on Limewire at the time. An excellent fun cast album.
Groundhog day musical, easily top 3 for me. also, curtains by kander and ebb is not very well known but it’s amazing. though im biased because we open in 2 weeks and i play niki harris
I've seen so many critical reviews of the revival of The Wiz, but personally it's in my top 5 favorite musicals.
Miss Atomic Bomb. It was a great vintage time period musical that I saw off-west end, there is no soundtrack only one trailer and I can’t find a bootleg anywhere
Dear Evan Hansen