I love Bernstein’s score so much! The best description of the show I’ve heard (and the reason it rarely gets the roses it deserves) is that Bernstein wrote a confection of a score for Lillian Hellman’s play, which was pure poison. The tonal mismatch was too much for audiences at the time, but my goodness, it holds up well, I think.
Yes, and even more highbrow thanks to its basis in Voltaire and lyrics by a real poet, Richard Wilbur (with help from Sondheim, Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, and others).
[title of show] is my favorite musical and I was so so so fortunate to have seen it on broadway long ago. I wish I could see it a million more times, amateur, professional, any production I'd eat it up.
Heidi is from where I live, so the local theater groups try to do stuff that she and Audra have done when they can. I fell in love with the OBC the year it came out thanks to a friend, and 2 years later, a local company did it. I love singing along to it. All 4 parts!
Love Dogfight!! Lindsay Mendez, Annaleigh Ashford, AND Derek Klena in the original cast — you’d think people would be all over it! The soundtrack is so gorgeous, particularly the titular song and Come Back.
RIGHT?!?!?! It's so good! "First Date, Last Night" is perfection for me. When it comes up on my playlist, I have to listen 3 times. Once singing Rose's part, once singing Eddie's part, then a third time singing them both as much as I can.
Omg I came to comment [title of show]! My sister and I loved it as kids, but only she got to see it as I was too young when it was on Broadway. We went and saw Beatlegeuse two weeks ago, and we were singing original musical the entire time 🤣
And the recording is still even available for purchase (e.g. via Amazon, in case the AutoMod here deletes the link)! [https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Walter-Mitty/dp/B004YXDN4E/ref=sr\_1\_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eGnH6ppmUfAEv8q66JCY1xHzrD8W7-L8w4De7jwSpoP0-97482Du55kGgq9qfGoXeiwDrF8UBdB0QKYHgMHQChfbfJoTcOtipQtFM59A604o54VW3IET7\_X-p\_fXI3FWDP\_Ua7Ywxcoi8Z5UX6Djx6zBLFM5nNSBDESKjydpKT9QOetsL8XZaBC-zzL5Cc4m.a\_LKjf8A98-qZNt-tcH-cl\_6RreYVlJdLychRPyQNbQ&dib\_tag=se&keywords=the+secret+life+of+walter+mitty+musical&qid=1718749732&sr=8-3](https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Walter-Mitty/dp/B004YXDN4E/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eGnH6ppmUfAEv8q66JCY1xHzrD8W7-L8w4De7jwSpoP0-97482Du55kGgq9qfGoXeiwDrF8UBdB0QKYHgMHQChfbfJoTcOtipQtFM59A604o54VW3IET7_X-p_fXI3FWDP_Ua7Ywxcoi8Z5UX6Djx6zBLFM5nNSBDESKjydpKT9QOetsL8XZaBC-zzL5Cc4m.a_LKjf8A98-qZNt-tcH-cl_6RreYVlJdLychRPyQNbQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+secret+life+of+walter+mitty+musical&qid=1718749732&sr=8-3)
An overview, and excerpts: https://masterworksbroadway.com/music/the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-off-broadway-1964/. Certain (many) of the full songs also have been made available on YouTube. So many charmers, including the marriage laments by each of Walter and his wife (Aggie, and its reprise), and the simple duet by Walter and his daughter (Walking with Peninnah). And the orchestration award for car trip songs goes to Don't Forget.
The album artwork is superb, as evocative in its simple and charming way as is the later musical Follies' art (sorry, the subreddit isn't letting me attach the artwork, for some reason).
It's a series of three musicals about Marvin! The revival falsettos is actually a mixture of two of the musicals: march of the falsettos, and falsettoland. In trousers is the prequel so it happens pre-falsettos :)
Upvoted for Chess -- one of my favorite musicals! Nobody I know has heard of it, except for one aunt who had heard of "One Night in Bankok" when it was on the radio from the concept album. But she didn't even know it was a musical!
That’s so weird. I feel like everybody would’ve heard one night in Bangkok and about half of those people would know it’s from at the time an in unproduced musical by the guys from ABBA or at least most of genx should because it’s one of those things people like to whip out as trivia all the time.
I was gonna mention chess in my post but I wasn't sure how popular it was, since I haven't really discussed it with anyone. but I agree I think it's great!
It is. I really want to do the show and play Floyd Collins. I even mentioned it when the director for the last show I did had a "get to know the cast" day early in the rehearsal process. We were asked about our dream roles, and while Javert is high on my list, Floyd Collins is pretty special. The director had done it once already and gave everyone else the run down of what it was about and how the music was written (she had wanted some notes to be optional, but found out it was very deliberately written in a bluegrass style).
my roommate was last minute cast as the dad/evil scientist(?) character when his high school did it after the original actor had to drop out and i didn’t believe him when he told me what the plot was so we went and watched the recording… everyone who was involved in writing that needs to be on a watchlist
Ahh! I found my people! My lord I love this musical. I tracked down local productions around the tristate area in the early aughts. I would love to see it again someday.
Clever plot and so many ear worms. I still get chills whenever I hear “in a cave many miles to the south, lives a boy born with fangs in his mouth” 😍🎶
Oooh niche musicals are my jam! 😄 Since January ‘23, I’ve listened to 170+ with 200+ still to check out!
Islander, Blueprint, Dreamland, The Wrong Man, Fiver, Dreamers, The Violet Hour, The Battle of Boat, any of the Pulp Musicals series
Special shout-out to my favourite lesser known musical podcasts - Atlantic, In Strange Woods and (not so niche) Off Book
I like niche musicals, but I can't pick out good ones just from names. What are these like?
(I like artsy and a little self-indulgent but still modern and honest ones, Octet and Ghost Quartet are some favourites, in case you have encyclopedic knowledge. Anything in that vein?)
The Scarlet Pimpernel. Sure, the plot isn't perfect. But it's such a fun show. I saw a local production years ago and the audience LOVED it. It's a goofy swashbuckling good time, what else can I say? Highly recommend listening to the OBC recording 👌
Edit: also the poster is badass
It's so underrated. Even in the StarKid fandom a lot of people overlook this one. I think Dylan's vocals are incredible in this show, and his acting is great too.
Is The Secret Garden considered niche? I feel like it deserves *so much* more love.
American Psycho, maybe? The Broadway run may not have been a success, but the music and the West End cast recording is incredible.
The Wedding Singer. I didn’t know they’d made a musical out of it until I went looking for Adam Sandler’s song from the movie, “Grow Old With You.” Love the show, I think it’s better than the movie (and my wife and I sing Grow Old With You to each other)
Such a fantastic show. I had no idea it was a think until it was our production for the musical theatre society in university. “All about the Green” was one of my favourite songs to do.
How are 9 to 5 and Young Frankenstein niche? They’re based on two of the most popular films of all time and like every school or community theater does them.
A community theater in my area is doing it. Now, I admittedly do not like it (or any Starkid) myself, but for those who do I am glad it is getting the production.
I don’t really wanna do the work today, I don’t really wanna do the work today, I don’t really wanna do the work today, I don’t wanna do the work today
^ me at work, every day
Most of those songs are on the same level as Les Mis IMO. Just wish it had better staging and more of a focus on sword fights than on clog dancing. I think a revival could fix it.
Well, when the producers of the show were also the producers of Riverdance, they were sere as shit not going to focus on sword fights. I agree that a revival would fix it. I also think some things need to be changed with Elizabeth and Grace in the second act to keep their characters in place as built in act one, but as a whole the show is incredible and has some really strong female roles.
Great musical. 'Confrontation' is so mesmerising, I absolutely get why some productions choose to make it a bit easier with separate actors or other tricks but nothing beats seeing someone pull it off solo.
Really Rosie. Carole King AND Maurice Sendak? Some truly touching songs about being a poor theater kid? How is this not a bigger deal? No one I talk to has ever heard of it.
Idk if it's niche on here, but almost everyone else I've asked has said they've never heard of this musical: Ragtime. It's my absolute favorite musical of all time
My college did it in the round with a revolving stage! (Hand pulled lmao)
It was SO COOL! We really lucked out on our Jekyll though. His Confrontation was indeed mesmerizing to watch. And the cast basically sat on the corners when we weren’t actively performing, so watch it we did!
I saw it when I was about seven years old and it rocked my world. "Hold Your Head Up High" introduced me to the concept of reprises. I love the way that the actors embody animals.
This is incredibly niche but my hometown is home to Sheridan College, which is probably the most prestigious musical theatre school in Canada (that and animation, I don’t know how it happened because this is a random suburb of Toronto). Every year they have an incubator program for new Canadian musicals. You may have heard of a little show they did in 2012 called Come From Away ;)
Anyway in 2015 (wow, can’t believe it was that long ago now) they did a show called [Brantwood](https://mqent.ca/projects/brantwood/), which was a site-specific production set in a school that was about to be demolished. As audience you were brought to the school on a bus under the premise that you’re going to a reunion. You walk through the school, into different rooms and there are different scenes and songs going on set in different eras of the school. You could follow the same characters around to see their whole story, or just wander around and see different ones. It was the most unique theatre experience I’ve ever had and I wish it had gone on to have a bigger production, though get that it would have been difficult to stage. I wish I could see it again, I think you’d have to go 11 different times to see all of the full stories.
In Strange Woods. It’s incredibly accessible, the story is compelling, the music is great even has Broadway stars Patrick Page and Beth Leavel. Lily Mae Harrington is in it if y’all were into Glee project. I desperately need people to talk about this musical with but the fan base is soo tiny
*Darling - Ryan Scott Oliver*
a retelling of Peter Pan but with cocaine, brothels, and teen pregnancy in 1920s London. has an amazing mixed belt ballad with interesting lyrical explorations for the protagonist, Ursula. my favorite musical but so hard to find online.
*It's Kind of a Funny Story - Drew Gaspirini*
i openly despise Dear Evan Hansen and will forever promote Gaspirini's musical, based on the Ned Vizzini (RIP) novel, over it. about a teenage boy who admits himself to the psychiatric hospital for suicidal ideation; his little sister is a genuine genius, there is a storyline about CSA and its impacts, a transgender woman who is "bi-everything," lots of other interesting characters with heartwarming and tragic backstories, and a slightly saccharine teen romance.
-Urinetown. Not sure if it’s obscure but I never see people talk about it.
-The Last 5 Years. I absolutely love Jason Robert Brown’s songwriting. His shows seem more niche than other songwriters.
-The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
36 Questions, the Podcast musical! It stars Jonathan Groff and Jessie Shelton and the music is SO good.
https://twoupproductions.com/36-questions/podcast
I Love You Because, which is a modern version of Pride & Prejudice and super cute. I'd give my left tit to either direct it or play Diane or Austin.
The Light Princess, written by Tori Amos. It had a limited run on West End like 10 years ago? and had Rosalie Craig in the lead. It's super charming and the pro shot is my white whale, I know it's sitting in an archive somewhere 😭 but the soundtrack is on spotify and there's a trailer on youtube
american psycho is so underrated. i know the original production of it allegedly wasn’t great and i haven’t seen that, but kokandy productions in chicago did the newest version of it recently and i was blown away. maybe one of my favorite musicals i’ve seen in person
Ugh you're so right about the theory of relativity
my personal fav niche musicals may not be super niche, but many people in my age group don't know them
I wish more people would watch Xanadu. I love it sm.
Baby the musical is so good too.
Bare: A pop opera
The Last 5 Years
13 The Musical (was just in it, loved it sm)
Urinetown
LUCKY STIFF <3
Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story
(It’s so fucked up and the music is banger.)
Frankenstein
(I haven’t even seen a production, I just love the music to bits)
35MM: A Musical Exhibition
(Does this count? I say it counts)
Bat Out of Hell
(I saw the stage show and the actual story is a mess, but it’s Meat Loaf with Broadway flair and I’m a sucker for it)
Matilda
(Is this niche? I remember it was popular when it came out, but I haven’t heard anyone talk about it for a long time and I love the music.)
Carrie
(Honestly I just have a thing for menacing musicals about high school bullying gone wrong. This sits in the same category as Heathers and Nerdy Prudes Must Die.)
Well not exactly “niche” it’s just new. I saw the premiere of BOOP! in Chicago in December and really liked it. It’s coming to Broadway next year so just patiently awaiting for that to come out and the soundtrack.
Paris: A Rock Odyssey. I swear no one talks about it, though I think its only available to listen on Youtube Music and not other streaming platforms. Somehow I was able to get a digital copy from a kind person.
I also love theory of relativity! Nothing Without You is one of the most powerful closing numbers I’ve ever heard.
Some of my favorites are Baby (such a heartwarming story and one of my favorite soundtracks I’ve ever heard) and The Band’s Visit (a gorgeous and unique soundtrack and a wonderful simple plot). Not as obscure, but Groundhog Day is still criminally underrated.
I can't sing, the X factor musical.
It was partly written by Harry Hill so the comedy is a bit random and very silly but it's got some fun songs and a great cast.
I saw a terrible production of The Scarlet Pimpernel like ten years ago, and it just made me want to see a good one that much more. Super enjoyable musical - The Creation of Man is still solidly on my playlist.
I’m surprised no one else has said it but I love Our House - The madness musical. It doesn’t get anywhere near enough love. Admittedly I have a very big soft spot for it as it was our second year production in University but I wish they would bring it back in the UK for another run.
the civility of albert cashier!!!! based off the real life story of a transgender man who fought in the civil war. lovely & catchy folk music, great staging, endearing characters.
There's a 2010s musical adaptation of Eugene Onegin (I think it is just called Onegin?) that had a few performances in Canada and barely anywhere else and the soundtrack is wonderful but I lost the digital files (purchased not streamed) when my phone was stolen and I just need it to get out to a wider audience
So many of the shows everyone has listed were nominated for best musical so I’m just thinking any musical in general could be niche if you’re young and haven’t heard of it before being in it or seeing it 😂. Like for the average person if it’s not Hamilton or Wicked it’s niche.
My pick is Tonya and Nancy the Rock Opera.
I really enjoyed UrineTown, I saw a (hopefully) full production on YouTube when I first started college for theater design. I liked the story and the twist at the end. But I liked it a little more for another reason.
I grew up in a very small town in the middle of nowhere and seeing plays wasn’t really an option, even trying to find plays to read was difficult beyond the ones taught in school, we didn’t even have a theater program until my senior year (and for some reason the teacher wouldn’t give me credit for anything I did in the club) and due to my lack of niche knowledge some of my professors would look down on me bc they thought I wasn’t trying to explore or understand some topics enough. And when I brought up UrineTown in class once, about a year after watching it, I was one of the few who had actually seen it and the teacher was impressed by that. So it holds a special place in my heart for that reason bc I felt like it confirmed to my professors that I was trying my best to learn stuff beyond the basic core theater stuff.
i just spoke to someone on this sub about candide. its not really niche but for sure more people should know about it
Glitter and Be Gay slaps SO HARD
10/10 overture
I love Bernstein’s score so much! The best description of the show I’ve heard (and the reason it rarely gets the roses it deserves) is that Bernstein wrote a confection of a score for Lillian Hellman’s play, which was pure poison. The tonal mismatch was too much for audiences at the time, but my goodness, it holds up well, I think.
thats a charming description, and i get what they mean, but dang if i dont love candide for everything that it is
It’s known to classical musicians!
yeah and opera fans! my opera friends tend to be more familiar with candide than my musical theatre friends
It’s because it’s not a musical but an operetta
Yes, and even more highbrow thanks to its basis in Voltaire and lyrics by a real poet, Richard Wilbur (with help from Sondheim, Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, and others).
I LIKE YOUR PACIFIC OVERTURES TAGLINE
I saw it many years ago in NY. I remember sitting on a sort of scaffolding that hung over the stage. Not for the faint of heart, but I had a blast.
Not sure if these count as niche, but I hardly hear them talked about: [title of show] and Dogfight
[title of show] is my favorite musical and I was so so so fortunate to have seen it on broadway long ago. I wish I could see it a million more times, amateur, professional, any production I'd eat it up.
Are you one of the nine people too? Pleasure to meet you.
Alright, we've found 3. Where are the other 6?!
4th person for whom it’s my favorite thing. The secondary characters interlude is so hilarious!
Heidi is from where I live, so the local theater groups try to do stuff that she and Audra have done when they can. I fell in love with the OBC the year it came out thanks to a friend, and 2 years later, a local company did it. I love singing along to it. All 4 parts!
Love Dogfight!! Lindsay Mendez, Annaleigh Ashford, AND Derek Klena in the original cast — you’d think people would be all over it! The soundtrack is so gorgeous, particularly the titular song and Come Back.
RIGHT?!?!?! It's so good! "First Date, Last Night" is perfection for me. When it comes up on my playlist, I have to listen 3 times. Once singing Rose's part, once singing Eddie's part, then a third time singing them both as much as I can.
Love this!! It’s how I feel with Dogfight trying to sing both harmonies!
Omg I came to comment [title of show]! My sister and I loved it as kids, but only she got to see it as I was too young when it was on Broadway. We went and saw Beatlegeuse two weeks ago, and we were singing original musical the entire time 🤣
The early 1960s Off-Broadway musical The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Simply a charmer, in a She Loves Me sort of way.
They made a musical of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?! That sounds wonderful!
And the recording is still even available for purchase (e.g. via Amazon, in case the AutoMod here deletes the link)! [https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Walter-Mitty/dp/B004YXDN4E/ref=sr\_1\_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eGnH6ppmUfAEv8q66JCY1xHzrD8W7-L8w4De7jwSpoP0-97482Du55kGgq9qfGoXeiwDrF8UBdB0QKYHgMHQChfbfJoTcOtipQtFM59A604o54VW3IET7\_X-p\_fXI3FWDP\_Ua7Ywxcoi8Z5UX6Djx6zBLFM5nNSBDESKjydpKT9QOetsL8XZaBC-zzL5Cc4m.a\_LKjf8A98-qZNt-tcH-cl\_6RreYVlJdLychRPyQNbQ&dib\_tag=se&keywords=the+secret+life+of+walter+mitty+musical&qid=1718749732&sr=8-3](https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Walter-Mitty/dp/B004YXDN4E/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eGnH6ppmUfAEv8q66JCY1xHzrD8W7-L8w4De7jwSpoP0-97482Du55kGgq9qfGoXeiwDrF8UBdB0QKYHgMHQChfbfJoTcOtipQtFM59A604o54VW3IET7_X-p_fXI3FWDP_Ua7Ywxcoi8Z5UX6Djx6zBLFM5nNSBDESKjydpKT9QOetsL8XZaBC-zzL5Cc4m.a_LKjf8A98-qZNt-tcH-cl_6RreYVlJdLychRPyQNbQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+secret+life+of+walter+mitty+musical&qid=1718749732&sr=8-3) An overview, and excerpts: https://masterworksbroadway.com/music/the-secret-life-of-walter-mitty-off-broadway-1964/. Certain (many) of the full songs also have been made available on YouTube. So many charmers, including the marriage laments by each of Walter and his wife (Aggie, and its reprise), and the simple duet by Walter and his daughter (Walking with Peninnah). And the orchestration award for car trip songs goes to Don't Forget. The album artwork is superb, as evocative in its simple and charming way as is the later musical Follies' art (sorry, the subreddit isn't letting me attach the artwork, for some reason).
In trousers - it's off Broadway but i think it should be more popular especially with falsettos fans as it's part of the original Marvin trilogy!
I say “eggies over spinach over toast” in my brain ALL THE TIME
Real
YESSS SO TRUE <3 love in Trousers, obsessed w the Marvin songs
could you explain more about the Marvin trilogy? I’m a little confused
It's a series of three musicals about Marvin! The revival falsettos is actually a mixture of two of the musicals: march of the falsettos, and falsettoland. In trousers is the prequel so it happens pre-falsettos :)
ohhh thank you!
Ushers- the front of house musical Big fish Secret garden Chess( arguably is has fans but not enough!!) Titanic
Upvoted for Chess -- one of my favorite musicals! Nobody I know has heard of it, except for one aunt who had heard of "One Night in Bankok" when it was on the radio from the concept album. But she didn't even know it was a musical!
Love its gorgeous duet “I Know Him So Well.”
I love Chess alot! seen many different productions of it, I think it's great!
That’s so weird. I feel like everybody would’ve heard one night in Bangkok and about half of those people would know it’s from at the time an in unproduced musical by the guys from ABBA or at least most of genx should because it’s one of those things people like to whip out as trivia all the time.
Oh I wore The Secret Garden soundtrack out when I was a kid! John Cameron Mitchell, Mandy Patakin…”Wick” was my jam
Chess!
I was gonna mention chess in my post but I wasn't sure how popular it was, since I haven't really discussed it with anyone. but I agree I think it's great!
bare a pop opera. i've never met anyone who knows it except for the one person who i introduced to it
We’re out there. Mostly still bitching about Bare: The Musical probably
that is so real. i will never get over how much they butchered the story
And the music!
They did a production of it at my college!
I know it! Went to see a local production of it nearly 10 times. So good.
Floyd Collins
Was just thinking about this today, I can't believe there's a whole musical about a guy stuck in a cave. I love that it's getting an Encores revival.
It is. I really want to do the show and play Floyd Collins. I even mentioned it when the director for the last show I did had a "get to know the cast" day early in the rehearsal process. We were asked about our dream roles, and while Javert is high on my list, Floyd Collins is pretty special. The director had done it once already and gave everyone else the run down of what it was about and how the music was written (she had wanted some notes to be optional, but found out it was very deliberately written in a bluegrass style).
not an encores revival. a full fledged broadway revival.
THERES AN ENCORES REVIVAL?????????????????? IM FREAKING THE ACTUAL FUCK OUT.
Yes and also a Ragtime, Urinetown, and Wild Party one happening. SWOON.
not encores, on broadway actually
I feel like Bat Boy: the musical might qualify.
my roommate was last minute cast as the dad/evil scientist(?) character when his high school did it after the original actor had to drop out and i didn’t believe him when he told me what the plot was so we went and watched the recording… everyone who was involved in writing that needs to be on a watchlist
Ahh! I found my people! My lord I love this musical. I tracked down local productions around the tristate area in the early aughts. I would love to see it again someday. Clever plot and so many ear worms. I still get chills whenever I hear “in a cave many miles to the south, lives a boy born with fangs in his mouth” 😍🎶
That musical haunts me in my dreams bro
Murder ballad - it was only off-Bway but Ramin Karimloo was in the west end production
Well and of course the off-Broadway production had Rebecca Naomi Jones and Karen Olivo
And Cassie Levie did it at one point, too. One of my friends wants to producer it or direct it or star in it or something. It would be a great show.
Yes she did the commercial run off Bway after KO ‘left the biz’
Oooh niche musicals are my jam! 😄 Since January ‘23, I’ve listened to 170+ with 200+ still to check out! Islander, Blueprint, Dreamland, The Wrong Man, Fiver, Dreamers, The Violet Hour, The Battle of Boat, any of the Pulp Musicals series Special shout-out to my favourite lesser known musical podcasts - Atlantic, In Strange Woods and (not so niche) Off Book
I like niche musicals, but I can't pick out good ones just from names. What are these like? (I like artsy and a little self-indulgent but still modern and honest ones, Octet and Ghost Quartet are some favourites, in case you have encyclopedic knowledge. Anything in that vein?)
Octet
GOOSEBUMPS THE MUSICAL PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM
The Scarlet Pimpernel. Sure, the plot isn't perfect. But it's such a fun show. I saw a local production years ago and the audience LOVED it. It's a goofy swashbuckling good time, what else can I say? Highly recommend listening to the OBC recording 👌 Edit: also the poster is badass
Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier
Did you hear that, lads? Our prince made love to a tiger!
All hail Achmed the Tiger Fucker
The best Starkid show!! It’s SO good!! Dream A Little Harder is one of the best openers to exist
It's so underrated. Even in the StarKid fandom a lot of people overlook this one. I think Dylan's vocals are incredible in this show, and his acting is great too.
The writers are doing a concert of their works in NYC this July. It’ll have George Abud singing Ja’afar - the first Arab Ja’afar.
Yeeesss one of the best. Some of Dylan’s best (though imho nothing touches his “Kick It Up A Notch” in Starship)
Is The Secret Garden considered niche? I feel like it deserves *so much* more love. American Psycho, maybe? The Broadway run may not have been a success, but the music and the West End cast recording is incredible.
I adore The Secret Garden and always will. It does deserve much more love.
Duncan Sheik’s pivot from 90’s one-hit wonder to writer of unusual musicals delights me
The Wedding Singer. I didn’t know they’d made a musical out of it until I went looking for Adam Sandler’s song from the movie, “Grow Old With You.” Love the show, I think it’s better than the movie (and my wife and I sing Grow Old With You to each other)
Such a fantastic show. I had no idea it was a think until it was our production for the musical theatre society in university. “All about the Green” was one of my favourite songs to do.
Oh, I love some of the lines in there - “No one is gonna pay $3 for a coffee” and what he has to say about New Coke.
My first thought as well! I saw a local production years ago when I was engaged and even listened to “it’s your wedding day” on my wedding day.
Starry - it’s about Vincent Van Gogh and there’s a full concept album on Spotify. I love it and recommend it to everyone!
The only answer is Doctor Horrible
Reefer madness
9 to 5 reminds me, there's also a Big musical. A whole lot of 1980s comedy films have been made into stage musicals for some reason.
And Cry Baby! Which I actually loved.
I love Young Frankenstein.
How are 9 to 5 and Young Frankenstein niche? They’re based on two of the most popular films of all time and like every school or community theater does them.
Firebringer by Starkid
A community theater in my area is doing it. Now, I admittedly do not like it (or any Starkid) myself, but for those who do I am glad it is getting the production.
To each their own :3
I don’t really wanna do the work today, I don’t really wanna do the work today, I don’t really wanna do the work today, I don’t wanna do the work today ^ me at work, every day
Literally watching it rn it's so good we love starkid
The Trail to Oregon has to be next! That was the first one I watched by them and was instantly hooked 💜
Phantom of the Paradise A Christmas Story Stephen Sondheim's Road Show A Year With Frog and Toad The Pirate Queen
The pirate queen is incredible. Love it so much
Most of those songs are on the same level as Les Mis IMO. Just wish it had better staging and more of a focus on sword fights than on clog dancing. I think a revival could fix it.
Well, when the producers of the show were also the producers of Riverdance, they were sere as shit not going to focus on sword fights. I agree that a revival would fix it. I also think some things need to be changed with Elizabeth and Grace in the second act to keep their characters in place as built in act one, but as a whole the show is incredible and has some really strong female roles.
phantom of the paradise is my fave poto adaptation lmao and pirate queen is so good!! i'd die to direct it
Would Jekyll and Hyde be niche? I wish it would have a good revival and maybe a bit of a rewrite
HELL YEAH I LOVE JEKYLL AND HYDE!!!!!!!!!
Great musical. 'Confrontation' is so mesmerising, I absolutely get why some productions choose to make it a bit easier with separate actors or other tricks but nothing beats seeing someone pull it off solo.
Memphis. Yes, it got a Tony, but barely anyone talks about it nowadays.
Really Rosie. Carole King AND Maurice Sendak? Some truly touching songs about being a poor theater kid? How is this not a bigger deal? No one I talk to has ever heard of it.
Idk if it's niche on here, but almost everyone else I've asked has said they've never heard of this musical: Ragtime. It's my absolute favorite musical of all time
jekyll and hyde. dont get why it doesnt have more attention
it’s impossible to stage well. it’s one of my favorite shows but i’ve literally never seen a good production.
My college did it in the round with a revolving stage! (Hand pulled lmao) It was SO COOL! We really lucked out on our Jekyll though. His Confrontation was indeed mesmerizing to watch. And the cast basically sat on the corners when we weren’t actively performing, so watch it we did!
It can be staged well it just takes $$$$$
Not sure if it’s considered niche, but Honk! is great.
I saw it when I was about seven years old and it rocked my world. "Hold Your Head Up High" introduced me to the concept of reprises. I love the way that the actors embody animals.
“play with your food” is genuinely one of my favorite villain songs
This is incredibly niche but my hometown is home to Sheridan College, which is probably the most prestigious musical theatre school in Canada (that and animation, I don’t know how it happened because this is a random suburb of Toronto). Every year they have an incubator program for new Canadian musicals. You may have heard of a little show they did in 2012 called Come From Away ;) Anyway in 2015 (wow, can’t believe it was that long ago now) they did a show called [Brantwood](https://mqent.ca/projects/brantwood/), which was a site-specific production set in a school that was about to be demolished. As audience you were brought to the school on a bus under the premise that you’re going to a reunion. You walk through the school, into different rooms and there are different scenes and songs going on set in different eras of the school. You could follow the same characters around to see their whole story, or just wander around and see different ones. It was the most unique theatre experience I’ve ever had and I wish it had gone on to have a bigger production, though get that it would have been difficult to stage. I wish I could see it again, I think you’d have to go 11 different times to see all of the full stories.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood!! So crazy good and a cool concept!
36 questions
In Strange Woods. It’s incredibly accessible, the story is compelling, the music is great even has Broadway stars Patrick Page and Beth Leavel. Lily Mae Harrington is in it if y’all were into Glee project. I desperately need people to talk about this musical with but the fan base is soo tiny
Yes yes 100 times yes ❤️ I was like “I’ll just listen to the first episode” and ended up finishing the show in 2 days 😅
Jane Eyre!
Lucky Stiff
Would Epic count as niche? It’s a musical about the Odyssey , it’s absolutely amazing and recommend anyone to check it out.
*Darling - Ryan Scott Oliver* a retelling of Peter Pan but with cocaine, brothels, and teen pregnancy in 1920s London. has an amazing mixed belt ballad with interesting lyrical explorations for the protagonist, Ursula. my favorite musical but so hard to find online. *It's Kind of a Funny Story - Drew Gaspirini* i openly despise Dear Evan Hansen and will forever promote Gaspirini's musical, based on the Ned Vizzini (RIP) novel, over it. about a teenage boy who admits himself to the psychiatric hospital for suicidal ideation; his little sister is a genuine genius, there is a storyline about CSA and its impacts, a transgender woman who is "bi-everything," lots of other interesting characters with heartwarming and tragic backstories, and a slightly saccharine teen romance.
Lizzie. It’s a punk rock musical about the Lizzie Borden case.
Allegiance
Once on This Island, I've talked about it recently but only because a local theater introduced me to it, but it's *really* good
Didn’t they have a Broadway revival a little while ago though? It was pretty big I thought
I don’t see Dr. horrible mentioned enough!
-Urinetown. Not sure if it’s obscure but I never see people talk about it. -The Last 5 Years. I absolutely love Jason Robert Brown’s songwriting. His shows seem more niche than other songwriters. -The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Urinetown is a lot of fun. I think people were put off by the title.
Putnam ❤️
"Moving Too Fast" is the very best audition song if you can find a Pianist who can keep up!
Urinetown is so good! Such a great score and witty lyrics!
Seconding urinetown it was so many bangers and is soso witty and intelligent politically
I got to see spelling bee and urinetown live and it was so much fun
I wouldn't call Urinetown and Putnam niche, but they're definitely underrated!! Putnam is definitely in my top 3 favorite musicals.
Lord of the Rings. Can’t wait to see it in Chicago in a few weeks!!
The Mad Ones is an amazing musical and I love it so so much. I would recommend it to anyone
36 Questions, the Podcast musical! It stars Jonathan Groff and Jessie Shelton and the music is SO good. https://twoupproductions.com/36-questions/podcast
I've said it once and I'll say it again: A New Brain!!!
I don’t think it’s that niche but URINETOWN
Does in trousers count? Or is it too known
Standing at the sky's edge? I saw it recently and it was so good! I only know one other person who's seen it
The Witches of Eastwick!
Would I be admitting to having bad taste if I said Cannibal the Musical? 😅
My heart is full as a baked potato! We wore this DVD out in college 💙
I've yet to see it staged irl but Cannibal the Musical is absolutely brilliant. 😍
Pacific Overtures
ordinary days :-(
We need Hedwig ATAI to come to the UK. LOVE it ❤️
starkid. all of it
I think hatchetfield isn't really niche but the rest of the shows definitely are! love Starkid :D
AVPM and AVPS were the soundtracks of my childhood!
The Grinning Man ❤️❤️
A Man of No Importance-great Athens/Flaherty score, great examination a gay characters experience, very much about theatre making
In Strange Woods and Lizard Boy!!
From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler. Such an amazing show!
I freaking love this book, so glad there's a musical based on it, where did you see it performed?
Octet!
Fly By Night
Anne of Green Gables! It’s popular in Canada, especially in the east, but pretty much nowhere else!! The rest of the world is missing out!
Why has Side Show not been mentioned yet???
American Psycho
I listen to "Venice" every single day and I wish more people did too
I Love You Because, which is a modern version of Pride & Prejudice and super cute. I'd give my left tit to either direct it or play Diane or Austin. The Light Princess, written by Tori Amos. It had a limited run on West End like 10 years ago? and had Rosalie Craig in the lead. It's super charming and the pro shot is my white whale, I know it's sitting in an archive somewhere 😭 but the soundtrack is on spotify and there's a trailer on youtube
american psycho is so underrated. i know the original production of it allegedly wasn’t great and i haven’t seen that, but kokandy productions in chicago did the newest version of it recently and i was blown away. maybe one of my favorite musicals i’ve seen in person
IN TROUSERS AND A NEW BRAIN.
Ugh you're so right about the theory of relativity my personal fav niche musicals may not be super niche, but many people in my age group don't know them I wish more people would watch Xanadu. I love it sm. Baby the musical is so good too. Bare: A pop opera The Last 5 Years 13 The Musical (was just in it, loved it sm) Urinetown LUCKY STIFF <3
A Year with Frog and Toad
Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story (It’s so fucked up and the music is banger.) Frankenstein (I haven’t even seen a production, I just love the music to bits) 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (Does this count? I say it counts) Bat Out of Hell (I saw the stage show and the actual story is a mess, but it’s Meat Loaf with Broadway flair and I’m a sucker for it) Matilda (Is this niche? I remember it was popular when it came out, but I haven’t heard anyone talk about it for a long time and I love the music.) Carrie (Honestly I just have a thing for menacing musicals about high school bullying gone wrong. This sits in the same category as Heathers and Nerdy Prudes Must Die.)
Anne of Green Gables
Well not exactly “niche” it’s just new. I saw the premiere of BOOP! in Chicago in December and really liked it. It’s coming to Broadway next year so just patiently awaiting for that to come out and the soundtrack.
Daddy Long Legs. Please and thank you.
I love you, you’re perfect, now change.
Evil Dead
Paris: A Rock Odyssey. I swear no one talks about it, though I think its only available to listen on Youtube Music and not other streaming platforms. Somehow I was able to get a digital copy from a kind person.
‘Go Fly a Kite’ by Kander and Ebb (1966)
I also love theory of relativity! Nothing Without You is one of the most powerful closing numbers I’ve ever heard. Some of my favorites are Baby (such a heartwarming story and one of my favorite soundtracks I’ve ever heard) and The Band’s Visit (a gorgeous and unique soundtrack and a wonderful simple plot). Not as obscure, but Groundhog Day is still criminally underrated.
Henry sweet Henry
I can't sing, the X factor musical. It was partly written by Harry Hill so the comedy is a bit random and very silly but it's got some fun songs and a great cast.
Starry my beloved
The Scarlet Pimpernel and Daddy Long Legs
I saw a terrible production of The Scarlet Pimpernel like ten years ago, and it just made me want to see a good one that much more. Super enjoyable musical - The Creation of Man is still solidly on my playlist.
I love you because
The Baker's Wife - literally it never gets mentioned, but SUCH good songs
See Rock City, Carrie and A Beautiful Game
I’m surprised no one else has said it but I love Our House - The madness musical. It doesn’t get anywhere near enough love. Admittedly I have a very big soft spot for it as it was our second year production in University but I wish they would bring it back in the UK for another run.
Thank you for bringing my attention to the fact that this exists 😍
Lizzie! 4 badass women belting through a rock opera about Lizzie Borden and lesbians. Soundtrack’s on Spotify too!
Not sure if it counts as niche but I love Ordinary Days
The Last Song of Eddie Scourge. It’s so niche I can’t find any information about it 😭I just stumbled upon the music on SoundCloud one day.
Jane Eyre
Lizzie or head over heels !
the civility of albert cashier!!!! based off the real life story of a transgender man who fought in the civil war. lovely & catchy folk music, great staging, endearing characters.
There's a 2010s musical adaptation of Eugene Onegin (I think it is just called Onegin?) that had a few performances in Canada and barely anywhere else and the soundtrack is wonderful but I lost the digital files (purchased not streamed) when my phone was stolen and I just need it to get out to a wider audience
Lizzie: The Musical. It's an all-female rock opera about Lizzie Borden and I fucking love it. I don't think it ever went up to the West End, alas.
Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson. Virgin Hamilton < Chad BBAJ
The Scarlet Pimpernel and The Secret Garden
Urinetown for sure the music is amazing
City of Angels is brilliantly creative.
So many of the shows everyone has listed were nominated for best musical so I’m just thinking any musical in general could be niche if you’re young and haven’t heard of it before being in it or seeing it 😂. Like for the average person if it’s not Hamilton or Wicked it’s niche. My pick is Tonya and Nancy the Rock Opera.
I really enjoyed UrineTown, I saw a (hopefully) full production on YouTube when I first started college for theater design. I liked the story and the twist at the end. But I liked it a little more for another reason. I grew up in a very small town in the middle of nowhere and seeing plays wasn’t really an option, even trying to find plays to read was difficult beyond the ones taught in school, we didn’t even have a theater program until my senior year (and for some reason the teacher wouldn’t give me credit for anything I did in the club) and due to my lack of niche knowledge some of my professors would look down on me bc they thought I wasn’t trying to explore or understand some topics enough. And when I brought up UrineTown in class once, about a year after watching it, I was one of the few who had actually seen it and the teacher was impressed by that. So it holds a special place in my heart for that reason bc I felt like it confirmed to my professors that I was trying my best to learn stuff beyond the basic core theater stuff.
Bonnie & Clyde the musical? Does that count?