Musical Comedy Lovers: What flop show of the past is really an underrated gem?

Question: Musical Comedy Lovers: What flop show of the past is really an underrated gem!?

I have to go with Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along," or "Anyone Can Whistle"Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

"Candide" flopped when it opened, and then Bernstein tinkered with it for years!. It's still a flawed show overall, but a brilliant score!.

I've been fortunate to actually see two productions of "Anyone Can Whistle," and it's a very good show!. 25% of the book doesn't work well, but the only reason I can come up with for its failure is that it shows non-conformity to be an admirable quality, which was not a popular notion in the early 1960s!.

I'm delighted that "Chicago" found a new life after years of languishing in obscurity!.

I wish "She Loves Me" was produced more often!. Its funny book has a slight lack of clarity in Act II that can easily be overcome with good direction!. Charming score/characters/plot!.

I'm amazed by the lack of productions of "Carnival!." Everything about it is solidly written, but it is definitely one of those shows that requires actors who can play subtlety -- the book has layers that a lot of actors can't find, and the result can easily be blandness!. The score sparkles!.

Finally, "Floyd Collins" [only a few years old] isn't technically a flop -- it just hasn't found an audience [it has yet to get a truly major production, such as playing Broadway]!. It's an intriguing theatre work with an evocative and sweet score, and it can be produced relatively inexpensively!.Www@QuestionHome@Com