“Pacific Overtures” was the musical that first hooked me on Sondheim, and I still think it’s his greatest work, although certainly not his most accessible one. “Sweeney” is probably the one that he’ll be remembered for, and I’m fine with that.

“Oklahoma!” is simply genius. Every song is beautiful and every song either establishes the character or advances the plot, usually both. I’m not usually much of a fan of the Golden Age standards but this one is sublime.

“The Music Man” is simple on the outside and hugely complex on the inside — that deceptive cornball exterior belies magnificent music and some very sharp human knowledge. Its only real difficulty is that there’s no point in redoing it without Robert Preston: there are some roles that should be retired like football numbers when their originators pass on (see also: Rex Harrison’s Henry Higgins and Yul Brynner’s King of Siam). I simply can’t wait to see it in Ashland next year!!

“Kiss Me Kate,” a great showcase for four performers — there’s nothing like a riproaring quasi-Shakespearean battle of wills to keep a musical joyous.

“1776.” Who ever thought a terrific musical could come from such improbable material??

A few newer ones that I think may be part of the pantheon but need to stand the test of time for a while: “Grey Gardens” and “Caroline, Or Change.” I loved “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” but that’s partly because I’m a Bee survivor myself. (I haven’t yet seen Finn’s Falsetto musicals but hope to soon.)

Feel free to move all this to an appropriate thread if you want…