Best 80s Musical - "The Phantom Of The Opera"
Yes, that's two Andrew Lloyd Webber shows in a row, but he deserves it. There's a reason this is currently the longest running show in Broadway history. I was actually dragged to it three times (by three different girls), but each trip was well worth it. Many people believe this is a love story, but it's actually a bittersweet and poignant unrequited love storybetween the Phantom and Christine, his soprano-singing muse. My favorite part is towards the end when the Phantom rages about how much he'll love her and take care of her and punish anyone who gets in his way, and, instead of reacting in fear or anger, Christine sweetly, sympathetically sings, "Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known?" "All I Ask of You" has become a romantic classic and has one of the best opening lines of any Broadway tune: "No more talk of darkness...." Even if you don't know anything about this show and just heard that line, you'd know exactly what's been going on up until that point. The title song and "The Music of the Night," which are performed concurrently in the show, have both become standards, but my favorite is "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," when Christine serenades her dead father's grave. If you're not moved by that scene, you should pinch yourself because you're probably dead. The sequel, "Love Never Dies," received extremely harsh reviews (one critic called it "Paint Never Dries"), but how can you follow up one of the greatest musicals of all time?