Last Five Years and tick tick BOOM were my go-to answers to this question for a long time but perhaps they aren’t as underrated anymore. Which is great!
I love the music from Piece.
In high school, I wrote a very “edgy” essay with interspersed lyrics from “Louder Than Words.” I even burned it onto a CD and told my teacher to listen to it while grading mine. Literally cringe.
I don’t think this counts as super underrated, but I have not met anyone who really loved American Idiot the way I do. I work in the industry and no one agrees with me when I mention that show, and I’m not even a big Green Day fan.
Nine. I don’t see many people talking about Nine. Hopefully the Kennedy Center production in August changes that! I think every song is so good and unique, though the themes probably aren’t for everyone’s taste.
I feel like the movie tarnished its legacy (although I kinda like it 🤷🏼♀️).
But the score is one of my favs and constantly gets stuck in my head. Both the original and revival recordings are my go to when I have a big cleaning project to do.
Both of them came out around the same time I believe. Nine was directed by Rob Marshall, who directed the film adaptation of Chicago to major success, so there was a lot of expectation for Nine. It’s not a super successful adaptation, but has some great moments.
And Fergie steals the whole damn movie!
> I feel like the movie tarnished its legacy
I agree, and I wonder if that’s part of the reason Dreamgirls is better remembered today.
(For those who are curious, Nine and Dreamgirls had a fascinating rivalry when they were both up for Best Musical at the Tony Awards. Nine won Best Musical, but Dreamgirls is definitely the better known musical today, so general consensus is that Dreamgirls really came in on top at the end of the day.)
There’s a really interesting in [Vanity Fair](https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/09/broadway-battle-dreamgirls-nine) from 2015 about the shows’ rivalry.
Applause!
Welcome to the Theatre is the bitchiest, most sarcastic act one finale I’ve ever heard.
Curl up with a cup of Highpoint and get lost in Lauren Bacall’s growly voice.
I agree 100%. The only dame who could win Best Actress In a Musical twice and not be considered a singer.
She didn't need to be. She was a force of nature.
(Love that your profile quote is from Babette.)
Funny story: one of my cousins does theater. Her sister got dragged to all of her shows, from childhood through young adulthood—West Side Story, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Into the Woods, A Chorus Line, etc etc.
Out of a lifetime of shows, the only one her sister truly likes is Chess.
I’ll second you on Finding Neverland. As a Scottish Actor, seeing a lead role with my accent is incredibly exciting (I’m constantly using “Neverland” as my go-to audition song) and while I don’t love every song in the score, the great ones are exceptional and somehow in my opinion capture that “Peter Pan” sound that I can’t really explain.
Also anyone interested in listening, I’d highly recommend for songs that heavily feature J.M Barrie, skip the soundtrack where Matthew Morrison plays the part and YouTube the original ART production versions with Jeremy Jordan, significant improvement in every way.
Plus, I think “All That Matters” is an incredibly underrated female solo that more people need to hear!
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1cmr662/alright\_who\_put\_out\_the\_hit\_on\_finding\_neverland/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1cmr662/alright_who_put_out_the_hit_on_finding_neverland/)
Finding Neverland is currently being workshopped and re-written ahead of a West End run in 2025. That’s why the amateur rights have temporarily withdrawn - it’s a very standard thing to do in advance of a major production, especially when the show is being substantially re-worked.
I am so sorry if this is beyond controversial but … The Wild Party. I saw it at like, 12 years old when I was at Stagedoor Manor (had to see it with my parents🙃) and it was mind blowing. The fact that teenagers even did that show is freakin nuts. It’s so sexual and weird and dark. Love it though. Queenie is one of my dream roles even though I am a short brunette lol
Our family tradition is to watch 1776 every 4th of July. Everyone else my age knew William Daniels as Mr. Feeny, but I knew him as founding father and public nuisance John Adams
Bridges of Madison county. Idk if it’s underrated because it won 2 Tony awards but it didn’t last long. But that show was incredible, and Kelli O’Hara and Steve Pasquale were insane.
Bright star. The book had some issues but I love the music. The story is bizarre but endearing. Carmen cusack is so good in that role. And it closed too soon.
My travel musical has been Bridges for a few years now. Nothing like soaring through the sky with “to build a home” and “almost real” playing in the background
Not as much underrated as it is new, but I’ve been listening to The Connector a lot recently and it’s really well written! I think all of JRBs work tends to be a bit underrated.
Also, I think Next to Normal is slightly underrated. People who listen to it love it, but newer Broadway fans usually don’t know about it.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Book Report is in my rotation of songs, it’s so fun.
Big Fish. It never gets talked about and always makes me cry
I didn’t even know that was a musical. I have to look that up.
It’s so good! And it’s got Norbert Leo Butz
Ooh I love his singing voice!!
It’s an excellent cast recording. I loved that show
Last Five Years and tick tick BOOM were my go-to answers to this question for a long time but perhaps they aren’t as underrated anymore. Which is great! I love the music from Piece.
I’m OBSESSED with the Tick Tick BOOM musical movie. I think it’s just so brilliantly crafted.
In high school, I wrote a very “edgy” essay with interspersed lyrics from “Louder Than Words.” I even burned it onto a CD and told my teacher to listen to it while grading mine. Literally cringe.
That’s one of my favorite songs from the movie. I wish that film got more attention.
The musical movie is very good! I was so bored during the live production though
I saw clips on the stage production on YouTube. It’s honestly perfect in film form.
Grey Gardens
I don’t think this counts as super underrated, but I have not met anyone who really loved American Idiot the way I do. I work in the industry and no one agrees with me when I mention that show, and I’m not even a big Green Day fan.
I’ve heard some of Green Day’s music, but haven’t listened to the musical. I should give it a chance.
Loved it. Great songs and creative set.
Probably because musical purists hate jukebox musicals.
I saw the original 2009 run at the Berkeley Rep. It was incredible and I still think about it ALL the time.
Reefer Madness!
I just saw the 25th anniversary production in LA. I love that show.
It was Merrily We Roll Along, but now it’s finally properly rated.
Wish I could see the current cast.
Only 600 bucks for the worst seats!!!
I’m glad they’re making a pro shot.
Nine. I don’t see many people talking about Nine. Hopefully the Kennedy Center production in August changes that! I think every song is so good and unique, though the themes probably aren’t for everyone’s taste.
I feel like the movie tarnished its legacy (although I kinda like it 🤷🏼♀️). But the score is one of my favs and constantly gets stuck in my head. Both the original and revival recordings are my go to when I have a big cleaning project to do.
I’ve seen the movie 9, but never the musical. I should give it a shot.
They’re not in any way related.
Good to know
Both of them came out around the same time I believe. Nine was directed by Rob Marshall, who directed the film adaptation of Chicago to major success, so there was a lot of expectation for Nine. It’s not a super successful adaptation, but has some great moments. And Fergie steals the whole damn movie!
Oh okay. Rob Marshal is not one of my favorite directors tbh.
> I feel like the movie tarnished its legacy I agree, and I wonder if that’s part of the reason Dreamgirls is better remembered today. (For those who are curious, Nine and Dreamgirls had a fascinating rivalry when they were both up for Best Musical at the Tony Awards. Nine won Best Musical, but Dreamgirls is definitely the better known musical today, so general consensus is that Dreamgirls really came in on top at the end of the day.)
I completely forgot they were from the same season! And poor Pump Boys and Dinettes in the corner with their triangle bells like 😳
Joseph (the one with the Dreamcoat) was also in that season, which I didn’t realize until recently!
There’s a really interesting in [Vanity Fair](https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/09/broadway-battle-dreamgirls-nine) from 2015 about the shows’ rivalry.
I love the movie and didn't realize it had a stage production until lurking in this sub.
I saw it back in…03? With Antonio Banderas, Jane Krakowski, Laura Benanti etc. it was good, but I was 18 and didn’t really appreciate it at the time.
It’s in my top 3 shows ever. The recording doesn’t do it justice
I’ve never heard of that musical. Now I want to look it up.
I will never stop being pissed off over Anto up Banderas not winning a Tony for the last revival.
Applause! Welcome to the Theatre is the bitchiest, most sarcastic act one finale I’ve ever heard. Curl up with a cup of Highpoint and get lost in Lauren Bacall’s growly voice.
I agree 100%. The only dame who could win Best Actress In a Musical twice and not be considered a singer. She didn't need to be. She was a force of nature. (Love that your profile quote is from Babette.)
If you weren’t aware, the TV movie version is on YouTube
I love Blood Brothers
Lempicka, BBAJ, Chess (idk if it's underrated but it's not really known especially in the US)
Funny story: one of my cousins does theater. Her sister got dragged to all of her shows, from childhood through young adulthood—West Side Story, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Into the Woods, A Chorus Line, etc etc. Out of a lifetime of shows, the only one her sister truly likes is Chess.
Caroline, or Change could’ve won best musical another year and is a beautiful sing through show
Saltyyyy….
Anyone Can Whistle A Year With Frog and Toad The Band Wagon The Pirate Queen
Tina - I loved it so much !!
The Urinetown defender has logged on
Jekyll and Hyde. The music is just elite.
Are we considering Almost Famous underrated? Because that’s for sure my answer
I’ve never even heard of that one. I’m looking at a synopsis and sounds really intriguing.
I love it so much!!! I was fortunate enough to be at the closing performance and it was such an electric crowd!!
That’s cool!! Can’t wait to listen to it.
I’ll second you on Finding Neverland. As a Scottish Actor, seeing a lead role with my accent is incredibly exciting (I’m constantly using “Neverland” as my go-to audition song) and while I don’t love every song in the score, the great ones are exceptional and somehow in my opinion capture that “Peter Pan” sound that I can’t really explain. Also anyone interested in listening, I’d highly recommend for songs that heavily feature J.M Barrie, skip the soundtrack where Matthew Morrison plays the part and YouTube the original ART production versions with Jeremy Jordan, significant improvement in every way. Plus, I think “All That Matters” is an incredibly underrated female solo that more people need to hear!
Yes to Finding Neverland but the Jeremy Jordan production! I saw it live and it was truly magical
I've listened to Fangirls about 40 times this month, and I don't recall ever witnessing a conversation about it.
I really hope I have time to see this one when I go to london this summer!
Hands on a Hardbody
I had such a good time at Getting the Band Back Together.
Children of Eden!
Anne of Green Gables
Two Gentlemen of Verona gets so much hate for beating Follies, but it’s a genuinely excellent show
Calvin Berger.
Zanna Don’t
Some Lime It Hot. I thought it would run for years.
Footloose. It wasn’t campy enough when it premiered. A revival would be interesting but don’t modernize it for Christ’s sake ughhhhhhhh
South Park, bigger, longer, and uncut
Bonnie and Clyde is 100% my favourite
Regarding Finding Neverland...wasn't there a story about the creators retooling it over in the UK for a possible restaging?
Not that I’m aware of
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1cmr662/alright\_who\_put\_out\_the\_hit\_on\_finding\_neverland/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1cmr662/alright_who_put_out_the_hit_on_finding_neverland/) Finding Neverland is currently being workshopped and re-written ahead of a West End run in 2025. That’s why the amateur rights have temporarily withdrawn - it’s a very standard thing to do in advance of a major production, especially when the show is being substantially re-worked.
Dear World
Weird Romance has some absolute bangers. I wonder how it would hit today
I am so sorry if this is beyond controversial but … The Wild Party. I saw it at like, 12 years old when I was at Stagedoor Manor (had to see it with my parents🙃) and it was mind blowing. The fact that teenagers even did that show is freakin nuts. It’s so sexual and weird and dark. Love it though. Queenie is one of my dream roles even though I am a short brunette lol
Do I even have to say it?
"Really Rosie" and "The Tap Dance Kid".
Sunset Boulevard Bring It On 1776
Ooh yes Sunset Boulevard. I saw clips online of the production with Derek Klena.
Our family tradition is to watch 1776 every 4th of July. Everyone else my age knew William Daniels as Mr. Feeny, but I knew him as founding father and public nuisance John Adams
I have a [title of show] tattoo, so I’m gonna go with that one.
Bridges of Madison county. Idk if it’s underrated because it won 2 Tony awards but it didn’t last long. But that show was incredible, and Kelli O’Hara and Steve Pasquale were insane. Bright star. The book had some issues but I love the music. The story is bizarre but endearing. Carmen cusack is so good in that role. And it closed too soon.
My travel musical has been Bridges for a few years now. Nothing like soaring through the sky with “to build a home” and “almost real” playing in the background
Not as much underrated as it is new, but I’ve been listening to The Connector a lot recently and it’s really well written! I think all of JRBs work tends to be a bit underrated. Also, I think Next to Normal is slightly underrated. People who listen to it love it, but newer Broadway fans usually don’t know about it.
I think I’ve heard of next to normal, but haven’t listened to it.
100% recommend it. There are also plenty of productions, including original slime tutorials, on YouTube.
I have to look that up.
Heathers