musicals

Our Love-Hate Relationship With Jukebox Musicals

Victoria Hock, Houghton University

Is it right or wrong to say there is comfort in familiarity?…

March 27, 2023

A screenshot from tick tick boom shows lin manuel miranda and another person in a bookstore

‘Tick Tick Boom’ Is the Solution to Problematic Movie Musicals

Jacob Puestow, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

As these popular shows become worse in quality and reception, a fairly recent release may provide an answer!…

January 6, 2023

Illustration of Jonathan Larson playing the piano on a stage alone under a spotlight from new Netflix film "Tick, Tick... Boom!"

‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ Is Netflix’s Heartfelt Musical Ode to Jonathan Larson

Esha Shah, New Jersey Institute of Technology

The film adaptation of the autobiographical Broadway show is a passionate tribute to one of theater's most influential artists.…

January 4, 2022

The main characters from West Side Story against a red backdrop

‘West Side Story’ (2021) Lets Audiences Fall in Love With a New Classic

Rory Conlon, De Anza College

Steven Spielberg’s remake of the famous film and stage play brings new levels of depth, cultural authenticity and social commentary to a familiar story.…

December 22, 2021

Photo from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Is a Multi-Holiday Classic

Megan Heenan, Nevada State College

Originally one of the most notorious Halloween films, the terror-comedy has joined in on the Yuletide festivities as well.…

December 19, 2021

Illustration of characters from the movie Annie

NBC’s ‘Annie Live!’ Is the Newest Adaptation of the Classic Musical

Re’nesia Mills, University of Tampa

The musical has a long history, but people continue to maintain their support and excitement for this beloved story.…

December 18, 2021

In an article about Annette, a wooden puppet baby sits in a human palm against an ethereal, nebula-like background.

‘Annette’ Dives Into the Grimm Darkness

Anna Hupp, University of Wyoming

This bizarre new rock opera, written by pop duo Sparks and directed by Leos Carax, lays its characters’ thoughts and feelings bare … or so it seems.…

September 15, 2021

An illustration of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan

‘Gatsby’ Adaptations: The Great, and the Not-So-Great

Darby Williams, University of Michigan

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s magnum opus entered the public domain early this year, and spinoffs of all sorts have been appearing ever since.…

August 11, 2021

An illustration of the titular character from Dear Evan Hansen in an article about the musical's upcoming film adaptation. (Illustration by Sonja Vasiljeva, San Jose State University)

Hollywood’s Age-Old Dilemma Meets ‘Dear Evan Hansen’

Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

Ben Platt’s reprisal of his Broadway role in the upcoming film adaptation raises some heads as it continues the surprisingly common occurrence of adults playing high school students.…

June 26, 2021

Image of a Broadway musical advertisement. (Photo by Sudan Ouyang on Unsplash)

Here Are 2 Movies to Get You Through the Broadway Intermission

Olivia Moosey, DePaul University

The stage might be closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are many diverse movies you can watch to fill the time.…

October 23, 2020

A Latino man and boy hold a flag together in "In the Heights."

From Stage to Screen, ‘In the Heights’ Is Just What the Latino Community Needs

Yasmeen Ludy, University of Michigan

It’s okay if you missed the play on Broadway — it’s headed for the silver screen next summer.…

August 25, 2020

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ Transforms Ordinary Life Into a Jukebox Musical

Anna Barnard, St. Olaf College

This musical TV show may have its pitfalls, but it makes up for it with its relatable drama and entertaining music that explores the rich interior life of its characters.…

July 20, 2020

A scene from Spring Awakening, one of several musicals with an important message

Here Are 5 Broadway Musicals With Meaningful Messages

Lauren Buchko, Michigan State University

Musical theater isn't just catchy songs and flashy dance numbers. Many shows have poignant messages about mental health, suicide, LGBTQ+ issues and more.…

April 20, 2020

Bollywood Item Numbers Use Music to Bolster Misogyny

Karunya Bhramasandra, Stanford University

These musical numbers, which have little relevance to the plot, can be fun, but ultimately perpetuate debilitating social roles for women.…

March 26, 2020

Top 10 Songs From ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,’ the Mental Health Musical Comedy

Sam Shepherd, McGill University

Four seasons and over a hundred music videos in, the musical comedy has provided loads of laughs and moments of introspection.…

August 16, 2019

All Right, Let’s Talk About ‘Cats’

Veronica Kuffel, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Will it be a feat of filmmaking or a cat-tastrophe?…

July 29, 2019

FX’s ‘Fosse/Verdon’ Revives the Lost History of Theatre’s Most Famous Couple

Matilda Schulman, University of California, Berkeley

More importantly, it reveals how Fosse’s fame wrongly overshadowed that of his creative counterpart. …

April 21, 2019

Here Are All the Musicals Eligible for the 2019 Tony Awards

Sarah Diggins, Ithaca College

Plus which ones are likely to win, lose, shock and awe.…

March 22, 2019

‘The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical’ Honors the Heart of the Books

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

Finally, an adaptation that Rick Riordan fans can be proud of.…

January 29, 2019

Hello, Gorgeous! Celebrating the Legacy of Miss Barbra Streisand

Lexi Anderson, Pratt Institute

In celebration of her album releasing on Nov. 2, we look back on Streisand’s life and stellar performance career.…

October 23, 2018

In ‘Come from Away,’ 9/11 Gets an Inventive, Musical Treatment

Allison Kestler, Augustana College

The story of a small city in Newfoundland in the wake of Sept. 11, ‘Come Away from Me’ reexamines the event from a perspective you would never believe is non-fiction.…

September 22, 2018