New Classics

So, Entertainment Weekly has published a list of 1000 new classics in various fields, cultivated from the past 25 years. Among these lists includes one of the 50 new stage classics. Here are the top five:

1. Angels in America (1993-94)
2. Rent (1996)
3. August: Osage County (2007)
4. Doubt (2004)
5. Jersey Boys (2005)

Not much complaining from my end. These five shows have redefined American theatre in the last few decades and touched on some serious issues: AIDS, family dysfunction, the scandal in the Church, etc. It is great to see Rent honored so as it prepares to close the original production. Among some of the other shows who made the list include:

8. Avenue Q (2003)--Tony Award winner and continues to wow audiences at the Golden Theater nightly. Also, who doesn't love "The Internet is for Porn"?
12. The Phantom of the Opera (1987)--Tony Award winner and now the longest running musical in Broadway history. Andrew Lloyd Webber is planning a sequel to this megahit (more on why I don't think that's a great idea in another post) and the half-mask is a Broadway icon in and of itself.
13. The Lion King (1997)--The only Disney show to win the Best Musical Tony. It is a truly remarkable show, an artistic triumph. And we all love "Hakuna Matata," no matter who is singing it.
15. Les Misérables (1987)--The longest running musical in the world (thanks to the original London production, still running). Now, it isn't the happiest musical in the world. Let's face it, everyone basically dies. (Spoiler alert?) But audiences still flock to the musical and still love the songs, especially that ingenue classic "On My Own." Also, Forbidden Broadway loves to mock the show.
16. Wicked (2003)--Okay, not so much ground-breaking, startling and artistic, but it is a classic buddy story--Elphaba and Glinda--and the struggles friendship goes through. Also, Stephen Scwartz's music is great--even if we have now been subjected to a thousand renditions of "Defying Gravity." Besides, this show brought people--especially a younger audience--back to the theatre.
22. Into the Woods (1987)--SONDHEIM! Enough said. For more reasons why, listen to "No One is Alone."
33. Hairspray (2002)--Tony Awarding winning play that brought some pep back into Broadway! With a great message and even greater music, this was a definite. Besides, who doesn't love a little camp?
43. Spring Awakening (2006)--Tony Award winner that was ground-breaking, startling and artistic. It's the anti-Wicked! Of course, this musical also earned comparisons to number 2 "Rent" as the show for the next generation. I may still not get the "choreography" of the show, but I get the story. It's still not something I would go see with my parents though.

For the full list and EW's other lists, please go to: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20207076_20207387_20207063,00.html

Are there any plays/musicals you think the magazine left off that should be included? And anyone who suggests "Cats" will be in for a world of hurt.