Reader Replies: Your Favorite Musicals!

Hearing back from your responses!

As promised, we asked for your favorite musicals and you all gave a lot of enthusiastic replies!

The overwhelming majority of responses favored The Sound of Music, which just so happens to be #46 on our list!

As one of our readers put it:

“The Sound of Music is the best movie musical ever made! It also happens to sneakily be one of the best WWII movies ever made.” - Dominic Morlino

We also got a profound response from one of our readers, A.G. Machado from McDonough, Georgia, on how the film changed her life:

“You will probably get a lot of replies to this movie, but this movie changed my life. As a young Catholic going to a private Baptist school, I didn't see a lot of representation. Part of me thought my parish was the only one in all of Georgia. I remember the first time I actually remembered watching The Sound of Music, I was 6-7 and it came on ABC over the Easter break. The moment we meet Maria in the fields, I became transfixed. This was a multifaceted, strong, kind, loving woman character who was everything I was. She was a nun who was struggling to find her place in the world. She became a caretaker who struggled to adhere to the Captain's strict guidelines for his family. She was a lover who struggled to let go of her old life. Now, when I was a child, I only felt out of place, but as an adult, I feel these themes more deeply.

After high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I considered being a missionary or discerning holy orders. However, the plans I had were no match for God. He led me straight to my now husband. It was only an act of God, just like Maria being assigned to the Von Trapp house. I had to learn British culture (which can be a bit uptight). I struggled to understand if this was God's plan or if I was putting off what He wanted me to do. I have found so much comfort in the movie, characters, and of course the songs.”

Also mentioned from our list of 100 was Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), with one reader writing:

“No, the songs aren't stellar and Peter O'Toole can't really sing. But his performance is stunning, and the love story will break your heart. A perennial favorite at our house.”

Here were some of the other picks!

Guys and Dolls (1955)

“Guys and Dolls is my favorite musical of all time. I watch it every year and never tire of the clever musical lyrics or the romance between the strict and strait laced Sarah Brown and the street wise sinner and gambler Sky Masterson.

I think the overall lesson is love can triumph over any and all circumstances.”

- Anne Hill from Biddeford, ME

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

“Singin' in the Rain will forever be my all-time favorite musical. Musicals have always been to me much like opera, in one of two categories. They may be somber and with a moralistic story (e.g., Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera or Cabaret; or the operas "Lucia di Lammermoor," Wagner's "Ring," or "Salome"). On the other hand, they will be simply entertaining and, at times, even nonsensical, with a "story" (if even there is a story) that is humorous and not didactic (e.g., My Fair Lady, 42nd Street, and The Music Man; or buffo opera, such as "Cosi fan Tutti," "Marriage of Figaro" or "Barber of Seville"). Singin' in the Rain is clearly in the second category! What could be more insane than Debbie Reynolds jumping out of a cake; Donald O'Connor's silly number, "Make 'Em Laugh," falling backward over a couch and climbing up a wall; or Gene Kelly's getting drenched in in a downpour, dancing and singing with a silly smile on his face and mocking policeman? Combine the marvelously composed music with a catchy little plot on the first "talkies" movies and talented entertainers, and one has pure unmitigated fun. Smiling at the end is guaranteed!”

- Carol Daugherty Rasnic from Signal Mountain, TN

Thanks to all who replied! We will get our next question for “Reader Replies” out next week!