"Ten Favorite Offbeat Musicals"

April 4, 2006 10:36 AM

"Ten Favorite Offbeat Musicals" by Jonathan Rosenbaum
posted by matteo (28 comments total)

Mad props to Rosenbaum for including George Marshall's wild Red Garters, with the very awesome Rosemary Clooney
posted by matteo at 10:39 AM on April 4, 2006

How could such a list not include Hedwig and the Angry Inch?
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 10:47 AM on April 4, 2006

By coincidence, I just watched Hellzapoppin' last night, first time since I was a kid. Absolutely hilarious.
posted by QuietDesperation at 10:50 AM on April 4, 2006

I had just this past week seen the revival of The Pajama Game, herein noted by some dolt as "sexist." Sure. Back then women were not treated as they are today. But then, look at the musical more closely: the women are Working. The garments are made in America (not Thailand), the Boss is discovered to be (ah, Enron) cooking the books; and the union wins its struggle (do we have any unions left in America?)...musicals are about Jack and Jill finding and getting each other. Mostly (Pal Joey is an exception), and as in traditional comedy, there is a coming together at the end of the show (marriage/featsing).
posted by Postroad at 10:53 AM on April 4, 2006

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. Just awesome.
posted by grabbingsand at 10:58 AM on April 4, 2006

When i think of offbeat musicals, I think of Happiness of the Katakuris.
posted by Dr-Baa at 11:06 AM on April 4, 2006

I think Mr. Rosenbaum has a very low threshold for what constitutes "offbeat."
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:21 AM on April 4, 2006

Missing.
posted by clearlynuts at 11:27 AM on April 4, 2006

And not a singing, dancing Shaolin monk in sight. Shameful.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:28 AM on April 4, 2006

No Meet the Feebles? For Shame...
posted by stifford at 11:35 AM on April 4, 2006

My top ten art house musicals.
posted by muckster at 11:41 AM on April 4, 2006

except it's just 7.
posted by muckster at 11:41 AM on April 4, 2006

Also missing.
posted by papakwanz at 12:11 PM on April 4, 2006

See also
posted by MotherTucker at 12:30 PM on April 4, 2006

No "Grease 2"?!
posted by Asparagirl at 12:41 PM on April 4, 2006

I was looking for something to fill up my Netflix queue. Thanks, Matteo!
posted by Squid Voltaire at 1:27 PM on April 4, 2006

ah, Postroad, you are a man after my heart. The Pajama Game was the first musical I saw in person and it holds a very special place in my heart (along with Damn Yakees). Thank you for defending it.
posted by piratebowling at 1:41 PM on April 4, 2006

Also...what no AVENUE Q?
posted by piratebowling at 1:41 PM on April 4, 2006

or Cannibal the Musical, or Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter...
posted by blasdelf at 2:19 PM on April 4, 2006

Pennies from Heaven
The Singing Detective
Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Lost Horizon (horrible remake, but pretty offbeat)
posted by grumblebee at 2:22 PM on April 4, 2006

True stories !
posted by silence at 3:51 PM on April 4, 2006

Once More With Feeling

/geek
posted by Sparx at 4:00 PM on April 4, 2006

Not strictly a musical, I suppose, but an offbeat little movie about music and featuring music... and I thought it was cute as hell.
posted by Decani at 4:35 PM on April 4, 2006

I really dislike musicals, but I am a huge fan of The Young Girls of Rochefort, and Demy's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. I don't know what it is exactly about them that makes me feel so differently, but I never tire of watching them.
posted by Falconetti at 4:45 PM on April 4, 2006

Thanks for the post, matteo. I only wish the web page were a little easier on the eyes.
posted by soiled cowboy at 6:08 PM on April 4, 2006

Come on, where's Little Shop of Horrors?
posted by Robot Johnny at 6:23 PM on April 4, 2006

That's Entertainment 3 shouldn't count at all, i don't think.

I love love love Bells are Ringing tho, and 5,000 fingers is just a trip (and the scariest musical ever i think)
posted by amberglow at 7:21 PM on April 4, 2006

All musicals are "offbeat".
posted by wfc123 at 7:55 PM on April 5, 2006