Top 10 Underrated Musicals of the 2000s

Jason Robert Brown's musical two-hander, "The Last Five Years," is a soul-stirring story of a decaying marriage told through opposing timelines. The original off-broadway cast featured musical theatre favorites Norbert Leo Butz and Sherie Rene Scott. Despite there also being a 2013 revival starring Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor, as well as a West End production with Samantha Barks and Jonathan Bailey, the show has never played Broadway. That being said, in 2014, Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan appeared in a film adaptation. So, at least it got some mainstream love.

Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" is a beloved American literary classic, but did you know that it is also a musical? The famous March sisters made their big Broadway debut in the year 2005 at the formerly named Virginia Theatre. Two-time Tony-winning actress Sutton Foster took on the role of the lead character, Jo March and Susan H. Schulman directed the production. Sadly, after just short of 140 performances “Little Women” met its final chapter. It is a very unfortunate fate considering that the show is nothing short of “Astonishing”.

“Next to Normal” arrived on Broadway during a time when the topic of mental health was only just beginning to become a part of a bigger conversation. The musical, which follows a daughter and mother struggling with bipolar disorder, premiered off-Broadway. A year later, it opened on Broadway with a small cast including Alice Ripley, J. Robert Spencer, Jennifer Damiano and Aaron Tveit. Nominated for a slew of Tony Awards, it lost the Best Musical category to “Billy Elliot”, but it did take home a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2010. Although its subject matter is heavy, “Normal” is an important work of art worthy of more admiration.

1988’s “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” paired up Steve Martin and Michael Caine to create one of the decade's funniest films. In 2005, the movie got a Broadway makeover with Norbert Leo Butz and John Lithgow assuming Martin and Caine’s on-screen personas, Lawrence and Freddy. With music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Jeffrey Lane, “Scoundrels” was a laugh-out-loud musical comedy that complemented its cinematic origins. Songs like “Great Big Stuff” and “Here I Am” were some of the gems that popped off the cast recording and makes us wonder if perhaps, it’s time for a new revival of this often overlooked show?

Of course, Stephen Sondheim is one of musical theater’s most legendary creators but even his work can use some extra attention. Originally opening off-Broadway in 1990 and later in London’s West End in ‘92, “Assassins” was finally scheduled to make its leap to Broadway in 2001. However, due to the September 11th attacks and the show’s dark topic, the production was delayed. In 2004, it finally opened but closed after only 101 performances. A show about real-life assassination attempts of American presidents might have been a tough sell but Sondheim’s music paints a provocative and insightful take on history.

“Urinetown” may not have the most pleasant title but proves that you should never judge a book by its cover. The musical is hilarious, thought-provoking and dark. Centered in a dystopia where civilians have to pay to use toilets, the story is a satirical riot that chews on topics like politics, power, and capitalism. The show even pokes fun at the musical theater genre which makes for some great gags and inside jokes for Broadway fans. Although it was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won three, the musical never got the praise it truly deserved.

Once a Fringe Festival darling, “The Drowsy Chaperone” jumped from the Great White North to the Great White Way in the year 2006. Debuting in Toronto in 1998, the show is a true musical theater fan's dream. The story follows a character, Man in Chair, who is a Broadway superfan and who plays a record of a fictional musical for the audience which is then acted out. It’s one part meta parody, another part theatrical extravaganza. “Chaperone” is dizzying and uproarious and we cannot wait to hopefully see “Show Off” again on Broadway one day!

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” was one of the decade's most unique productions. The show centers around an elementary school spelling bee, where a sextet of quirky students compete to win the top prize. The show even included aspects of improv and audience participation. The original cast was comprised of Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Dan Fogler, the latter of whom won a Tony for his role as William Barfée. Although it ran for a few years, “Spelling Bee” warrants more admiration. In 2021, Disney announced plans for an on-screen adaptation of “Spelling Bee”...which sounds G-R-E-A-T to us!

Although it's adored by many musical theater fans, “Caroline, Or Change” is still wholly underrated. Featuring a book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and music by Jeanine Tesori, the show opened on Broadway in 2004 and only a few months later, closed. Starring Tonya Pinkins and Anika Noni Rose the story is about an African American woman who is employed as a housekeeper by a Jewish family in the ‘60s. The music blends various genres such as blues, Motown and folk. Revived in 2021, “Caroline” yet again suffered the same fate, closed after only a few months. Here’s hoping more theatergoers find this musical gem!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

This Show Was Stripped of Some Much-Merited Praise!

Despite Playing Over 1,000 Times, Many Forget About This Dance Play

We’re Still Dreaming of This Bollywood Extravaganza

Long Before “Hamilton”, There Was This Rock N’ Roll Take on American History

Adventure & Fun Await All Who Listen to This Musical

Once a book and then a film, “The Light in the Piazza” has gone through many incarnations and mediums. In 2005, the moving story landed on Broadway as a musical and warmed the hearts of theater-loving audiences. Situated in the 1950s, it tells the story of a mother, Margaret and her daughter, Clara, as they vacation in Florence, Italy. During their trip, Clara, who is developmentally disabled, falls in love with a man while Margaret struggles to let her go. The production, which starred Victoria Clark and Kelli O’Hara, received critical acclaim and won a handful of Tony Awards. After running for over a year, “Piazza” dimmed it lights but never faded from the hearts of its fans.