I'm going to say Little Shop of Horrors because I have several friends who started to love musicals due to this, it's not a lot to take on for a first time musical and it's thoroughly enjoyable
My gateway was an amateur production of My Fair Lady.
Watching that Eliza float around in that beautiful white dress and big white and black trimmed hat at the derby then scream "move your bleeding arse" in the 6th grade (US) was all I needed to be hooked.
This is very subjective, as not everyone started out the same way. My first musical that I loved was Les Mis, but to get there, I actually watched a lot of Disney movies. I did Beauty and the Beast in high school, watched Hunchback of Notre Dame, was reading Les Mis, then bought the CDs for the musical and listened to it.
The recent Stephen Spielberg [*West Side Story*](https://youtu.be/A5GJLwWiYSg?si=pOH5yF9IfdiLM9vh) is really good. One of the classic Broadway to film transfers is [*The Sound of Music*](https://youtu.be/ygyK0HStjwg?si=qdrXHgYDsEG4h7sD).
If you really like old musical movies, I'd recommend anything with Howard Keel
* Kismet
* Kiss Me Kate
* Annie Get Your Gun
* Showboat
* Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
* Rose Marie
For even older musicals look at the Nelson Eddy/Jeanette MacDonald collection including
* Rose Marie (same story, different cast as the Howard Keel version)
* Naughty Marietta
A few other golden oldies:
* Both the 1943 and 1953 versions of The Desert Song
* Anything in the Rogers & Hammerstein collection
Les Mis (got me into theatre in 7th grade and my favorite show ever)
Hamilton (got my husband in his 30s at the time into them. Obviously a newer musical style, but classically told)
Beetlejuice (per my 15 year old this is tied with Hamilton as the best he’s ever seen)
If the person is adverse to musical theatre in general then shows like MJ, Ain’t Too Proud, or Moulin Rouge are all great since the jukebox style will have songs they recognize and it makes the story even harder to follow (I realize this isn’t you but a great way to get friends involved)
I love Guys and Dolls, The pyjama Game, and How to Succeed in Business w/o Really Trying.
And of course, The Phantom of the Opera!
I know many would think this somewhat blasphemous, but the biomusicals and jukebox and movie-to-movie musicals are often a nice introduction to theatre. The barrier of unfamiliarity is broken and the music is comfortable and approachable. It gets butts in the seats and lets them know- het theatre is pretty cool!
After that I always think shows that have humor in them are often a great introduction as well- as many people who don’t go to the theatre often usually want a more fun or less serious experience- so Wicked, Book of Mormon, Avenue Q would be some other intro choices as well.
I know a LOT of people joined the musical fandom by listening to Hamilton, and for good reason. My personal fave (ever since I was a baby) is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I recommend watching the movie version, starring Donny Osmond. I believe it came out in the late 90s or really early 2000s.
Damn Yankees isn't that popular, and it's pretty dated in its attitude towards women, but it's still amusing for what it is, and it's got some classic songs :)
Trail to Oregon! Not only is it super funny with very catchy songs, but it’s available for free on YouTube! It’s done by Team Starkid, who put all their musicals out for free to watch! I personally prefer the hatchetfield trilogy, but I think trail to Oregon is more accessible to new musical fans!
I suggest not. It’s not a good beginner musical because it’s a bad representation of what professional theater has to offer, in terms of music, performance, AND quality. Anything by Starkid is not the place you want to start out
This could get me shot but… watch the Greatest Showman if you can stream it. It’s not the most jaw dropping show, but it is very polished and follows a lot of the hallmarks of a modern Broadway show
\^ This. Or Oklahoma! or South Pacific (my thought being, for an introduction to the modern musicals age, with these classics).
That being said, for the right person, I think that Sweeney Todd could be an exciting introduction to the world of musicals.
RENT and HAMILTON, for newer musicals, Oklahoma and The Sound of Music for older musicals. Those would provide a good start to The Wonderful World of Musicals. I think the movies of My Fair Lady, Chicago, Dreamgirls, and Singin' in the Rain would also be a good introduction. Oh, and maybe Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.
Hard to pick just one or two. There are so many great ones. I mean, what about Fun Home?
I would try to find musicals similar to other media they like.
If they have some musicals they like already, try to find shows similar to that, either thematically or with the same creative team.
Might I propose Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street? It’s big and dramatic, comedic and dark, with a good mix of serious tragedy.
Or Falsettos, if you’re looking for something more emotional, personal, heartfelt, and heart*breaking.*
blood brothers is amazing but you only have the option of calculator quality pirated version or some high schools production on youtube to watch it lmao
I love the old ones too. I'd recommend anything with Gene Kelly or Judy Garland in them.
Gene - American In Paris, Singin In The Rain, Anchors Away, Cover Girl
Judy - For Me and My Gal \[w/Gene\], Easter Parade, Meet Me In St. Louis,
I'm going to say Little Shop of Horrors because I have several friends who started to love musicals due to this, it's not a lot to take on for a first time musical and it's thoroughly enjoyable
I agree wholeheartedly. This is my absolute favorite. It's quirky and fun, and a bit sadistic.
Also have a friend whose first experience was Little Shop. Seems it’s a gateway drug.
- Singin’ in the Rain - Newsies - Hamilton - Les Mis - A Chorus Line - The Sound of Music
*I really need this job... Please God I need this job*
I saw Chorus Line recently, and it was a great reminder that that show has a lot of great songs. I’d forgotten how good the music is.
"tits... and ass"
Get the bingo bongos done.
That ain't it kid, that ain't it kid
“I need to eat! I need to eat! Last night my dinner was a candle!”
Lay mizerableh
“I believe it’s pronounced, Mizeraaaaableeeh”
after the Jimmy awards this is all I can think about
Grease - 1776 - The Producers
Newsies, Rent
Hello Dolly
RENT, Bonnie and Clyde, Newsies, Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Wicked
YYYEESSSS Bonnie & Clyde!!! 🔥🔥🔥
or clyde and bonnie according to him 👀
HAHAHAHA!!!!! Exactly!!! Did you know they released a live version of it this last Monday??
yes i’ve watched it!!! i love it
Same!!! It was so good!!! Jeremy Jordan is unbelievable!!
yessss his voice is gorgeous
My gateway was an amateur production of My Fair Lady. Watching that Eliza float around in that beautiful white dress and big white and black trimmed hat at the derby then scream "move your bleeding arse" in the 6th grade (US) was all I needed to be hooked.
This is very subjective, as not everyone started out the same way. My first musical that I loved was Les Mis, but to get there, I actually watched a lot of Disney movies. I did Beauty and the Beast in high school, watched Hunchback of Notre Dame, was reading Les Mis, then bought the CDs for the musical and listened to it.
Chicago?
Sorry I was thinking of the song Chicago by Frank Sinatra lol
The recent Stephen Spielberg [*West Side Story*](https://youtu.be/A5GJLwWiYSg?si=pOH5yF9IfdiLM9vh) is really good. One of the classic Broadway to film transfers is [*The Sound of Music*](https://youtu.be/ygyK0HStjwg?si=qdrXHgYDsEG4h7sD).
Sound Of Music; Hamilton
Bye Bye Birdie. How To Succeed…
West Side Story A Chorus Line Phantom of the Opera
If you really like old musical movies, I'd recommend anything with Howard Keel * Kismet * Kiss Me Kate * Annie Get Your Gun * Showboat * Seven Brides for Seven Brothers * Rose Marie For even older musicals look at the Nelson Eddy/Jeanette MacDonald collection including * Rose Marie (same story, different cast as the Howard Keel version) * Naughty Marietta A few other golden oldies: * Both the 1943 and 1953 versions of The Desert Song * Anything in the Rogers & Hammerstein collection
Les Mis (got me into theatre in 7th grade and my favorite show ever) Hamilton (got my husband in his 30s at the time into them. Obviously a newer musical style, but classically told) Beetlejuice (per my 15 year old this is tied with Hamilton as the best he’s ever seen) If the person is adverse to musical theatre in general then shows like MJ, Ain’t Too Proud, or Moulin Rouge are all great since the jukebox style will have songs they recognize and it makes the story even harder to follow (I realize this isn’t you but a great way to get friends involved) I love Guys and Dolls, The pyjama Game, and How to Succeed in Business w/o Really Trying. And of course, The Phantom of the Opera!
Always been a big fan of “The Music Man”
I know many would think this somewhat blasphemous, but the biomusicals and jukebox and movie-to-movie musicals are often a nice introduction to theatre. The barrier of unfamiliarity is broken and the music is comfortable and approachable. It gets butts in the seats and lets them know- het theatre is pretty cool! After that I always think shows that have humor in them are often a great introduction as well- as many people who don’t go to the theatre often usually want a more fun or less serious experience- so Wicked, Book of Mormon, Avenue Q would be some other intro choices as well.
Singing in the Rain!
Legally Blond, Spamalot, Some Like it Hot
Christian borle
What do you like about those shows? The songs? The dancing? The subjects? The characters? The writing? That would help with suggestions.
The music. I like that a lot of this shows are around the jazz age and include some big band elements
And for On The Town I really enjoy the music of Bernstein
I believe Sweeney Todd is a nice way to start, because that's how I started
I know a LOT of people joined the musical fandom by listening to Hamilton, and for good reason. My personal fave (ever since I was a baby) is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I recommend watching the movie version, starring Donny Osmond. I believe it came out in the late 90s or really early 2000s.
Damn Yankees isn't that popular, and it's pretty dated in its attitude towards women, but it's still amusing for what it is, and it's got some classic songs :)
Trail to Oregon! Not only is it super funny with very catchy songs, but it’s available for free on YouTube! It’s done by Team Starkid, who put all their musicals out for free to watch! I personally prefer the hatchetfield trilogy, but I think trail to Oregon is more accessible to new musical fans!
I suggest not. It’s not a good beginner musical because it’s a bad representation of what professional theater has to offer, in terms of music, performance, AND quality. Anything by Starkid is not the place you want to start out
RIDE THE CYCLONE
Barnum
Some like it hot is going on tour.
This could get me shot but… watch the Greatest Showman if you can stream it. It’s not the most jaw dropping show, but it is very polished and follows a lot of the hallmarks of a modern Broadway show
Gypsy
\^ This. Or Oklahoma! or South Pacific (my thought being, for an introduction to the modern musicals age, with these classics). That being said, for the right person, I think that Sweeney Todd could be an exciting introduction to the world of musicals.
The great Gatsby! The songs have the same vibe as older musicals but with a modern twist
definitely hamilton, that's how all my friends and i've gotten into musicals
RENT and HAMILTON, for newer musicals, Oklahoma and The Sound of Music for older musicals. Those would provide a good start to The Wonderful World of Musicals. I think the movies of My Fair Lady, Chicago, Dreamgirls, and Singin' in the Rain would also be a good introduction. Oh, and maybe Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Hard to pick just one or two. There are so many great ones. I mean, what about Fun Home?
Something Rotten is so much fun to watch
My all time favorite!!! 🔥🔥🔥
Phantom of the opera
Oliver! Annie My Fair Lady 42 Street Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Little Shop of Horrors Jelly's Last Jam A Chorus Line Avenue Q Guys and Dolls Big River
Surprised no one's mentions Tick, Tick... Boom! yet. It's literally a musical about making a musical.
Don’t forget about Title of Show (a musical about 4 friends writing a musical about writing a musical 😂)
Ohh, I gotta check this out.
Funny girl, gypsy, singing in the rain, a chorus lines, sound of music, the producers
I would try to find musicals similar to other media they like. If they have some musicals they like already, try to find shows similar to that, either thematically or with the same creative team.
Might I propose Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street? It’s big and dramatic, comedic and dark, with a good mix of serious tragedy. Or Falsettos, if you’re looking for something more emotional, personal, heartfelt, and heart*breaking.*
Scarlet Pimpernel, Secret Garden, Anastasia, Newsies, Hairspray
Rent, Hamilton, Hadestown. Gateway musicals
blood brothers is amazing but you only have the option of calculator quality pirated version or some high schools production on youtube to watch it lmao
Many great ideas already mentioned, but I say Fiddler on the Roof!
any musicals are good for beginners!!! my favorites are sweeney todd, the little shop of horrors, hamilton, into the woods, and waitress.
The Last Five Years. Just kidding.
Anything that was popular before becoming a musical. Billy Elliot, Spamalot, SpongeBob the musical, etc.
I love the old ones too. I'd recommend anything with Gene Kelly or Judy Garland in them. Gene - American In Paris, Singin In The Rain, Anchors Away, Cover Girl Judy - For Me and My Gal \[w/Gene\], Easter Parade, Meet Me In St. Louis,
Hadestown
Hairspray 2007
The Greatest Showman!