Once upon a time, there was a four year old little girl who was given a VHS cassette titled, “CATS: The Musical” for her birthday. The moment she sat before the television set and heard those first few notes from that iconic prologue, she was transported into a… let’s call it… Jellicle World. She fell in love with the beauty of theatre— the sounds, the sets, the actors, the dancers, the dedication. She was in love and she knew somehow, in someway, she needed to be a part of it.
She learned every song, choreography piece, character name and even actors’s names. She taught herself to sing. She taught herself to dance. She taught herself how to be a performer in the middle of her living room. She knew where she was meant to be and was ready to take the performing arts world by storm. There was only one issue, she was about a five and a half hour plane ride away from New York City. So her dream of being on Broadway was put on hold for a while. But that didn’t stop her love for it. She found a way to watch musicals online and with the beautiful mess technology is, she discovered there was a whole community of Broadway lovers on Reddit and Instagram.
If you haven’t already guessed by now, that little girl was me, Stephanie Arevalo, and unfortunately, I still haven’t gone to New York and I still am not a star on Broadway. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love Broadway any less. In fact, I am more in love with musical theatre than I have ever been in my life.
Musical Theatre is a form of the performing arts that will never die out simply because of the beauty and originality it holds. For about two and a half hours, you are transported into a different time period, city and sometimes, even world! Regional Theatre companies provide touring productions for those who cannot travel to the Big Apple to see a show in all of its glory. And for those who either can’t afford to spend some money on a ticket (*cries in university student*) or live too far from a theatre, the wonderful world of television has been there to save the day and has allowed us to experience live theatre.
You have have seen some live musicals on NBC and Fox, such as Peter Pan Live!, The Sound of Music Live!, The Wiz Live!, Grease: Live!, and Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical!. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg and there are so many other amazing musicals that deserve to also be produced live for television.
Not to fret, you have a thespian here with her top five picks for musicals on stage that should be brought to television!
Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Webber, Rice)
Go, Go, Go Joseph! The story from the Bible’s Book of Genesis about Joseph and the coats of many colors is one that has been performed through minimalism and with great theatrics. With the opportunity to use effects that normally wouldn’t be possible through theater, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s colorful masterpiece could attract a whole new audience to musical theater! And the soundtrack will be stuck in your head for a very, very, very long time. You’re welcome!
Les Misérables (Schönberg, Cameron, Mackintosh)
Who’s there? French Revolution! This musical takes place in 19th century France and tells the story of prisoner-turned-escapee, Jean Valjean and his need for moral redemption and salvation against Inspector Javert… All while being sung of course! With the storyline progressing into students Enjorlas and Marius’s incitement of a revolution of equality amongst their own, we are introduced to many more characters such as Eponine, Gavroche and Cossette. While this musical may have already been adapted onto film twice, there’s nothing like a live-anything-can-happen-performance on television. Any production that makes you want to link arms with those around you and fight for what you believe in is a production that must be shared so the masses may be inspired!
School of Rock: The Musical (Slatter, Webber)
Stick it to the man! We all love the movie starring Jack Black as Dewey Finn. We know the songs. We quote the lines. All the time! But did you know there’s a musical based on the movie? Yes! Back in 2015, the musical swept the Broadway world by storm. With the same synopsis, the story of Dewey Finn shadowing as a prestigious substitute teacher, Ned Schneebly, comes to life on stage. The cast stars some very musically talented children (students) who are just going with the motions of life, but once they cross paths with Mr. Schneebly, they come to open up to him and begin to find their true selves. Bringing this show to television with a very wide children’s demographic would give the children watching the show at home the opportunity to relate to the characters in the show. Many children feel lost at some point in their lives and sometimes it takes some venturing outside of their comfort zone to find their passion. Never fear, Mr. Schneebly is here!
Fiddler on the Roof (Bock, Harnick)
Tradition! Tradition! *stomp stomp* Tradition! This beautiful musical takes place in 1905 Imperial Russia and focuses on Tevye and his desires to keep traditions alive in his family by staying true to his religious upbringings. With instantly recognizable songs such as “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Matchmaker“, Fiddler on the Roof would be a hit on national television not only to the Jewish communities around the country, but also to those who love exploring other cultures. It’s a heart warming story about a stubborn man who finds his love for his daughters (who want to stray from tradition) and their happiness means more than his personal views on life. I’m sure many moms and dads can find it quite relatable— and the younger crowd, too!
There are so many more musicals that deserve to be highlighted and presented on live television— the list is honestly endless.
Do you have musicals you want to see on television? Let us know! We may want to see them, too!
