From Stage to Screen: Hollywood Can’t Get Enough of Broadway
- Francesca Hill
- May 4, 2022
- 3 min read
Film adaptations of classic Broadway musicals have been around for a long time. But in recent years, as Hollywood continues to churn out musical after musical, it seems that Hollywood producers are invested in this Broadway to Hollywood pipeline.
A Wicked Idea
It has been a week since director Jon M. Chu announced that his film adaptation of the Broadway hit Wicked would be split into two separate films, to be released in 2024 and 2025. As a follow up to Chu’s In the Heights, Wicked will star Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Wicked joins the recent trend in Broadway film adaptations releases, including Cats (2019), In the Heights (2021), Dear Evan Hansen (2021), and West Side Story (2021).
A Noteworthy History
Broadway musical film adaptations are nothing new. From The Sound of Music (1965) to the 2021 West Side Story remake, studios continue to invest in the nostalgic appeal.
While a good portion of these films tend to be successful at the box office, critic and audience responses are not always unanimous.
West Side Story (2021) may have received Oscar nominations and garnered critical success, yet it completely flopped at the box office. The Phantom of the Opera may be the longest running Broadway show in history, but do you really remember the 2004 film adaptation?
Money, Money, Money
While Ariana DeBose may have made history with her best supporting actress Oscar win for West Side Story, a musical adaptation has not won the Best Picture award since 2002’s Chicago.
Instead, 2021 saw Dear Evan Hansen join the list of failed movie musical adaptations following 2019’s Cats. Even In the Heights did not perform as expected.
This chart, compiled with data from Box Office Mojo and Rotten Tomatoes, compares box office performance versus Rotten Tomatoes score. Compared to Mamma Mia!’s box office triumphs and poor critical reviews, In the Heights pleased critics, but suffered at the box office.
Empty Chairs at Empty Theaters
Audience and critic responses remind us why Broadway film adaptations do not always work.
Oftentimes, musicals don't translate easily to screen. While shows utilize minimalist sets, Hollywood studio films prioritize CGI. This transition oftentimes ruins the authenticity and aesthetic of the show.
For instance, Into the Woods uses human puppeteers to bring Milky White the Cow to life. CGI-rendered in the film, Milky White loses his charm and becomes a regular cow.
This prompts questions about how the upcoming Wicked film will handle Elphaba’s infamous flight at the end of act one. With green screens and CGI, will it really hold the same power?
OnStage Blog writer Anthony J. Paccioni crafted a list of the top 10 reasons why these films may not always work. Prioritizing A-listers without vocal talent, cutting songs, altering character arcs, and manipulating plots may create an entirely new and unrecognizable show.
Not Throwing Away Our (Pro) Shot
Despite some negative response, these film adaptations can create a more accessible Broadway environment. Expensive shows and plane tickets prevent many from seeing these shows.
These films help open the Broadway community to individuals around the world, exposing them to the stories and music of these productions.
That being said, live theater is about giving the audience an unforgettable experience. As an alternative, pro shots, or professionally shot film, provide a more authentic performance by filming the stage production from different angles.
Hamilton and Newsies on Disney+, as well as Come From Away on Apple TV, are examples of successful pro shots. You can find a list of other shows with pro shots available to watch here.
But some argue that perhaps nothing will beat the real magic of being in the theater.
See for yourself and check out a show near you!
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