Most people would say that it takes a ‘special sort of person’ to appreciate a musical theatre production, they would also probably describe these ‘special’ people as weirdoes, queens and lonely single women. Truth be told, musical theatre is a playground for the absurd and the ridiculous. It is a place where political commentary and social justice issues can be identified and dealt with without the audience members feeling pounced on and interrogated. More importantly it is a place of fun, and therefore one of the most liberating movements.
Here are 10 weird, wonderful and often overlooked musical theatre numbers that may challenge you to reconsider your opinion of this style of theatre.
10. Who’s Got The Pain – Damn Yankees (1955)
Who’s got the pain when they do the mambo?
Who’s got the pain when they go “Ugh”?
Who’s got the pain when they do the mambo?
I dunno who-do you?
Who knows what this is about, other than a number in which the famed Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon get to show off Fosse’s ground-breaking choreography.
9. Dentist Song – Little Shop of Horrors (1982)
You have a talent for causin’ things pain
Son, be a dentist
People will pay you to be inhumane
Finally dentists are admitting to that they like to see you squirm! We LOVE Steve Martin in the 1986 film adaption
8. Mooning – Grease (1971)
Infatuation or flatulence?
This one was left out of the 1978 film rendition starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. We wonder why.
7. A Secretary is not a toy – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961)
A secretary is not a pet
Nor an e-rector set.
Her pad is to write in
And not spend the night in.
Erector set? Better Google it.
6. You Gotta Get a Gimmick – Gypsy: A Musical Fable (1959)
If you wanna make it,
Twinkle while you shake it.
If you wanna grind it,
Wait till you’ve refined it.
If you wanna stump it,
Bump it with a trumpet!
Now we know what it really takes to be a successful stripper. (This one is worth watching for the light up boobs)
5. White Boys / Black Boys – Hair (1967)
Black boys are delicious
Chocolate flavored love
Liquorice lips like candy
Keep my cocoa handy
The height of equality: a film where white girls and drool over black boys without fear and black girls can do likewise over white boys.
4. Coffee Break – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961)
There is something really bizarre (and entertaining) about people literally freaking out and having caffeine withdrawal symptoms on stage.
3. Take off with us – All That Jazz (1979)
To most of us this is basically a strip show set to music. Bob Fosse again. Genius.
2. Springtime for Hitler – The Producers (2001)
Heil myself!
Who knew a camp Hitler would be so funny? This entire musical is ridiculously funny.
1. I believe – The Book of Mormon (2011)
I Believe; that God has a plan for all of us
I Believe; that plan involves me getting my own planet
And I Believe; that the current President of The Church, Thomas Modson, speaks directly to God
I am A Mormon
And dang it! A Mormon just believes!
Truth be told, this entire satirical musical is bizarre. But then what else would you expect when it was created by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park.
