| "Have you seen Billy Elliott? 9 to 5? Dirty | | | | Actors have also crossed over from stage to |
| Dancing?" These questions raise a counter | | | | screen and back. Ana Gasteyer, Amy Spanger, |
| question: "The movie or the musical?" There is no | | | | John Stamos, Chandra Wilson, Kristin Chenoweth, |
| longer a strong line between the film and stage. | | | | Alison Janney, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and others |
| We're seeing numerous stories crossing the line | | | | dance around the line, appearing at the Emmys, |
| between the silver screen and the boards of | | | | the Oscars, and the Tonys. |
| Broadway. There has always been a unification | | | | Why is there such an influx of movies to the |
| between the arts: literary, visual, graphic, | | | | Broadway stage? Have writers simply lost the |
| performing. Theatre and film have always | | | | desire to come up with original ideas? I don't think |
| incorporated all of these. | | | | so. I think that it's strongly affected by the |
| Musical movies have been around since Gordon | | | | economy. In an attempt to get more people to |
| McRae and Shirley Jones first expressed their | | | | attend Broadway theatre, shows have been |
| love for each other in both Oklahoma! and | | | | streamlined into recognizable formats with names |
| Carousel. Musical films may have gotten a little | | | | that people can relate to. They know Alison |
| darker with the advent of Chicago, Rent, and | | | | Janney, John Stamos, and Chandra Wilson. Parents |
| Sweeney Todd, but they still capture the interest | | | | are more willing to take their children to see |
| of moviegoers. Why is there such a fascination | | | | shows based on movies that they grew up with |
| with the silver tones of the silver screen? What | | | | and love. People are excited to see a musical |
| makes a musical movie worthy? Is it the book? | | | | based on a movie, even if it's just to find out |
| It's not just the big screen that has developed | | | | how closely it adheres to the original. It's easier to |
| the musical element. Shows have introduced | | | | adapt the movie to the stage than it is to adapt |
| musical episodes. Buffy, Scrubs, Daria, Xena has | | | | the book because a lot of the elements have |
| two musical episodes, and let's not forget the | | | | already been provided. |
| numerous musical numbers to be found on the | | | | I do think, however, that it is harder to translate |
| Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy, some of | | | | the movie to the stage because there are certain |
| which are taken directly from Broadway itself. | | | | expectations. People are very critical when a |
| Musicals have often taken their stories from | | | | well-loved movie is changed for the stage. This is |
| books. That practice has continued through to | | | | the same of books, but the visual element is |
| more recent shows such as the widely popular | | | | removed. A character may not necessarily look |
| show, Wicked, which is based on the book of the | | | | the way you pictured them to look, but that was |
| same name by Gregory Maguire. Books, | | | | your own interpretation, so you are more willing |
| however, have taken a backseat to movies as | | | | to accept it. With a movie, you've seen the |
| the basis for new musicals. 9 to 5 and Billy Elliott | | | | character and you've heard the lines delivered a |
| are on Broadway, Dirty Dancing is on tour, and | | | | certain way. You're on the lookout for that same |
| Sister Act is onstage in London. All of these | | | | delivery. It's like a drug; you expect the same high |
| musicals started as movies. Now, granted, there | | | | you feel when you watch the movie. |
| are many movies that are also based upon books: | | | | Still, I think that movies titles will always have a |
| Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, My Sister's | | | | pull for those attending the theatre because of |
| Keeper, etc. Even Lord of the Rings enjoyed time | | | | the known factor. It's familiar. It's safe. You may |
| as an onstage musical. | | | | not get what you expected, but at least you had |
| The youthful world has captured the stage as | | | | expectations to begin with. Going to see a show |
| well. Disney got a foothold in the Broadway scene | | | | that you've never heard of in another forum is |
| when they introduced Beauty and the Beast. | | | | taking a chance. Sometimes, it's worth the risk, |
| Now, they're firmly established with The Lion King, | | | | but most people are unwilling to do so at $80+ a |
| The Little Mermaid, and Mary Poppins. The Grinch | | | | seat. |
| Who Stole Christmas is a holiday show that | | | | As for me, I'm still waiting for Harry Potter: The |
| appears every December. Oh, and let's not forget | | | | Musical Series. |
| Shrek. Children's theatre has hit the big time. | | | | |