Musicals based on Movies: Is this the future of Broadway?

How many of you have been to New York and seen a show?  If you haven't and you find yourself making a much needed trip to the Big Apple, take some time to catch a Broadway musical or play.  Seeing a live theatrical experience is a wonderful thing and the very memory of it, good or bad, will stick with you forever. I remember my first Broadway show: "Cats". Young me loved the dancing, singing and overall feel of the show.  Mind you, I was 10 or 11 at the time, so at that point, anything and everything was pretty fantastic.  Now, I look back and wondered what was so appealing about the show. Despite my reservations about it now, there is no denying that it stays with me. I have seen so many shows since then, but I will never forget the first time I got see a Broadway show. It was magical.

How do you even pick a show? Broadway offers dozens and dozens of shows, some new, some revamped classics, some starring Hollywood actors, and of course, musicals based on movies.  That's right. Hollywood, with all their reboots, remakes and re-whatevers have become a staple of Broadway.  This is not a recent development, as this has been happening for several years. Decades even. Not all the time mind you, but enough to raise some eyebrows. In the last ten years, however, there have been several musicals, based on well-known movies that have been produced for the masses. Some better than others, but whether good or bad, it seems the main function of these shows is to bring in the new audiences. On the outside, it seems like a great business plan.  Produce shows that are based on familiar movies and bring in the people and new generations of fans. But is that really what's happening?  That raises another question.



Turning off original ideas? 

Is creativity is dead on Broadway? In the last 5 years, there have been new shows based on movies, including "Legally Blonde","Sister Act", "9 to 5", "Priscilla Queen of the Desert", "Catch Me If You Can", "The Adams Family", "Ghost" and now there is news for a musical based on "Animal House." The short answer? Yes. However, the long answer may actually be "Yes, but maybe there is a big plan to bring people back and tell them that even though there are shows like these out, maybe they should come and see the other original shows!" I really would like to think that.  I am amazed, shocked, confused and above all annoyed with the dozens of attempts to bring Hollywood to Broadway.  Then again, I am not completely against the idea. I feel torn and split on the matter because if you think about it, despite all the plot holes and annoying songs in "Legally Blonde" the first half hour actually felt like a real musical, something that maybe Stephen Schwartz might have thrown together after he wrote "Wicked".  My apologies to Schwartz fans, but if not him, some other composer. Jason Robert Brown wrote "13" for goodness sakes. My point is that despite everything, it had the potential to be something more and make itself standout.  In the long run, though, I can tell you it did not. It fell right on its pink, glittery face.  On the other side we have "The Full Monty", a movie which I adore.  They completely Americanized the show, departing from the cheeky and dry fun of the original British film. I was shocked and appalled when I heard about it and couldn't believe the very notion.  I did end up seeing the show several years ago and I couldnt have been more wrong. Final verdict? It blew my mind. It had great music, great characters and it did a fantastic job sticking out as its own little production. Its by far one of my favorite shows.  Years later, I even got to perform in a production of it. 

Is this Broadway's version of writer's block? Creativity may not be dead, but its in desperate need of something else.  These are shows that will bring in audiences, but what about original shows that are waiting for their Broadway premieres?

I guess my point in all of this is that I'm not sure where I stand on all this. Like I said. Torn.  Part of me just boils up in anger and frustration because, how dare they? Whoever these producers and writers are, how dare they even try to capture the magic of its originator? Or, I just end up sighing and rolling my eyes. A lot of people I know feel the same way. I saw "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark" last year, and despite its high-flying appeal, it was a terrible show, trying so hard to be something it wasn't. That's when I get angry.  But again, on the flip side, I still try to convince myself that its a good idea, and Broadway is just biding their time, making money to hopefully produce a slew of new shows, giving young artists and writers a chance to share their projects and passions. I do love a handful of musicals based on movies, but I get frustrated when you hear how bad they were. Can we predict the outcome of how bad they really are?  Maybe this will just be a moment in Broadway and theatre history where movie musicals will just be a way of life.  Maybe in another few years, we will start seeing some originality. That is, if new artists are even given the chance.

Final thoughts? I have no idea. Either way, I just don't want to see a musical based on "Ghost Rider."

What do you think?