3. Urinetown
What is Urinetown? That's the question that figures prominently in this snarky parody, and yet loving tribute, to what we love about Musical Theater. With Officer Lockstock and Little Sally, our Fourth Wall Breaking duo, we're treated to a dystopian story where pay toilets aren't some gaudy cash grab... they're a necessity. And at the head of this necessity is a filthy rich man who's left the people in rich filth. Not content at mocking musical convention, Urinetown also mocks the age old Haves versus Have Nots theme, as well as gives us an interesting spin on what could happen if our heroes actually succeed. It also helps that the tunes are as catchy as they are hilarious, and at times they're even moving. Hail Malthus!
2. Jekyll & Hyde
Frank Wildhorn seems to have a problem with keeping musicals up and running. His shows, however flashy or exciting they may be, have this awful habit of closing early. (Or if the filmed performance of this show is any indication, they have the additional problem of casting David Hasselhoff in a role where he needs to earnestly sing and act.) Nonetheless, this recently revived musical should see a second life on the stage: not only is it returning to a medium that has, for the most part, done it well; it also brings a rare breed of dark science fiction storytelling that you don't see often in musical theater. Unless you're one of those kids who think Mamma Mia is really an all singing/all dancing/all ABBA adaptation of "On The Beach".