 You Will Be PopularIn writing about filmed live musicals, I tend to not write about movie musicals (that may soon be changing, stay tuned…), but I would be remiss not to mention the box office record breaking, utterly stunning, film adaptation of Wicked. Perhaps you've heard of it?! As I wrote in 2018, it’s not an industry secret that when a movie version of a stage musical is released during the run of the musical, ticket sales go up at the box office. The same is true of livestreams. Musicals on screen also boost ticket sales on the road, and increase the likelihood of a show being licensed regionally and by amateur groups and schools. Of the top 10 musicals produced by high schools in the 2022-23 season, every single title was either based on a movie or filmed live on stage. Now while Wicked is a Broadway stalwart that needs no help selling tickets (except for a few expected dips here and there, attendance has been at 100%, or close to it, for the vast majority of its 21-year run at the Gershwin Theatre), the brand recognition for the Broadway show and national tour has undoubtedly sky-rocketed. On Broadway, December shows have just about all sold out, and the handful of tickets left in January start at $150US. You can bet that when the film is released to streaming for home viewing (expected to be February or March in 2025), interest will boom again. For a myriad of reasons, including cost, complex contract negotiations, and a refusal to change the status quo, Broadway is infuriatingly behind the eight ball when it comes to filming shows and making them available for public consumption. This leaves theatre fans, and even industry professionals, to rely on bootlegs to access shows that they might not otherwise be able to see because of cost, geography, lack of childcare, and a myriad of other reasons. In an interview published on Gizmodo, Wicked film director Jon M. Chu shared that he watched bootlegs of Wicked on stage as he was preparing for the film. During pre-production Zoom meetings, Chu requested videos of the stage show from writer Winnie Holzman, composer Stephen Schwartz, and producers Mark Platt, and Dana Fox. According to Chu, “...they were like, “We don’t have a recording.” I’m like, ” You have one in the back closet.” They’re like, “We do not.” I’m like, “That’s crazy, guys.” So I went on YouTube and found pirated versions and would just watch sections and be like, “Oh, yeah, that’s what happened.”” (emphasis my own) Just a few days ago Ariana Grande shared in her Variety “Actors on Actors” interview that she had sought out bootlegs of co-star Cynthia Erivo after first seeing Erivo perform at the Oscars (skip to around 34min in). While the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts does have a recording of Wicked on Broadway, taped on November 16, 2004, the recording will not be available to watch (with restrictions) until the show closes on Broadway. Good luck...
In the meantime, as of December 16th, it’s only 344 days until the second installment of Wicked is released in theatres. If you're looking for some Wizard of Oz-adjacent filmed live musicals content in the meantime check out these wickedly fun filmed live musicals:
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How does a lifelong passion for musical theater begin? For Sara Glancy, it all started with "The Wizard of Oz" at age five. Join us as Sara recounts her enchanting journey from watching "The Wizard of Oz" to her professional training at NYU. Discover how a year-long New Year's resolution to learn a new musical every day helped keep her artistic spirit alive amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City.
We also get a sneak peek into Sarah's new solo show, "Put Words in My Mouth," which focuses on the power of lyrics across musical theater, folk, and rock. Featuring the works of Shaina Taub, Joni Mitchell, and Stephen Sondheim, Sara shares her love of words, and how musical theatre lyrics inspire hope. Sara Glancy (she/her) is an NYC-based actor who has performed Off-Broadway, touring, and regionally. But many of her favorite projects have been workshops and readings of thrilling new works that are not yet household names. Though her first New York Times review named her “a scene-stealing Sara Glancy,” Sara is always happiest when sharing the spotlight with a gaggle of fearless collaborators. To learn more about Sara, check out saraglancy.com SHOW LINKS:
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The Filmed Live Musicals podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Listen elsewhere? Find the show on your favorite podcast app here.
Like what you hear? Rate and review us on Apple or Spotify! Let's get social! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Want to support the preservation of the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? Become a patron or make a tax-deductible donation! Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 
Host Luisa Lyons chats with writer and composer George Chiang and actor Harriet Chung, the creator and star of the multi award winning musical Golden Lotus. Based on the influential, and often controversial, Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei, Golden Lotus was developed in New York and Toronto before premiering in Hong Kong in 2014 where it was filmed live. It is now available to stream on Stratfest at Home.
Learn about the controversial banned novel Jin Ping Mei, the fascinating international story behind the development of Golden Lotus, how the show became Hong Kong’s first original musical, the process of filming, and the surprising rewards of entering the capture of the musical into film festivals. George Chiang is the acclaimed writer of Golden Lotus, winner of the Heckler’s Award for Best Original Work in Hong Kong. The feature film adaptation of Golden Lotus has secured over 60 international film awards, including Best Picture at the World Independent Cinema Awards in Edinburgh. As a multi-award-winning songwriter, director, and producer, George's works such as “A World Away (Remix)” have earned accolades like Best Song and Best Music Video. As an actor, George returns to the Stratford Festival this season to perform in Salesman in China. Harriet Chung, born in Hong Kong, is a celebrated performer whose illustrious career includes groundbreaking roles in The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto and Cats in Hamburg. She starred in Golden Lotus, garnering numerous Best Actress awards internationally. Harriet’s debut single, “A World Away (Remix)”, won Best Original Song at the Hollywood Gold Awards, and her debut album, A World Away, has achieved critical acclaim. Her performances have earned her multiple Best Music Video awards. Harriet will make her Stratford Festival debut in 2024, performing in Salesman in China, continuing her streak of distinguished contributions to theatre and music. Show Links
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The Filmed Live Musicals podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Listen elsewhere? Find the show on your favorite podcast app here.
Like what you hear? Rate and review us on Apple or Spotify! Let's get social! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Want to support the preservation of the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? Become a patron or make a tax-deductible donation! Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 
Host Luisa Lyons chats with actor and filmmaker Melissa Center all about her one woman musical Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal.
Go behind the scenes and discover how the musical came to life, how Melissa navigated the global theatre shutdown, filming during COVID, and how the new production differs from previous incarnations of the show. Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal will be livestreamed from Caveat in NYC on June 12, 2024 and available on demand until June 19, 2024. Melissa Center is an actress, award-winning filmmaker, and “The Crowdfunding Queen,” who has helped creatives raise over $1M for their passion projects. As an actor, she most recently appeared on CHICAGO FIRE (NBC) & FBI (CBS). Her filmmaking credits include ensemble dramedy All I Want (Prime, Vudu, TubiTV, itunes) award-winning viral short R.V (which anticipated the overturn of Roe vs Wade), & short film His Name is Niv, inspired by her own experience with sexual assault. Her solo show Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal debuted during Pandemic lockdown via livestream at The Pico, LA followed by Edinburgh Fringe Digital to rave reviews in Ms. Magazine & Psychology Today. It is currently running in NYC at Caveat. Show Links
ListenWatch
The Filmed Live Musicals podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Listen elsewhere? Find the show on your favorite podcast app here.
Like what you hear? Rate and review us on Apple or Spotify! Let's get social! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Want to support the preservation of the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? Become a patron or make a tax-deductible donation! Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 
Host Luisa Lyons chats with Eddie Aronoff, the founder of Stage Russia and Art Seen Films, companies which specialize in distributing plays and musicals filmed live in Russia and South Korea to cinemas and homes around the world.
Discover how Eddie is supporting artists who have had to flee Russia, the world of K-musicals, how Kanopy is making theatre available to anyone with a library card, untapped markets for filmed theatre, and how filmed theatre can be a much needed olive branch in the world. Eddie Aronoff is a New York City film producer/distributor based in Moscow, Russia. He's the managing director of Stage Russia HD and Art Seen Films, with a specialty of bringing international filmed theatrical performances to cinemas and streaming platforms worldwide.In 2015, Aronoff founded Stage Russia HD in an attempt to share Russian theatre, with an eye towards bridging the cultural gap between East and West. In 2022, he launched Art Seen Films, adding Korean musicals to his roster of filmed performances, the first of which, "Phantom the Musical" featuring Kyuhyun, garnered strong reviews for its lavish film production values and galvanized musical theatre fans in the US, Canada, the EU, Mexico and Indonesia. Since the release of "Phantom", Art Seen Films has released "Werther the Musical" and in the coming months will be distributing three new K-Musicals, "Crash Landing on You", "Elisabeth" and “Hero". Show Links Musicals to Stream Listen to the PodcastWatch on YouTube
Host Luisa Lyons chats with Nicole Holst, producer of The Zeigfeld Girls Revue, a new cabaret celebrating the stories of the original Follies girls including Mae Murray, Olive Thomas, Louise Brooks, Julie Newmar, and Fanny Brice.
Which Follies girl still haunts the New Amsterdam Theatre? Are any of the Follies girls still alive? What cultural trends did they start? In this delightful chat, dive into the making of the show, and hear some of the stories behind the featured women, and the performers who will be portraying them! The Ziegfeld Girls Revue will be livestreamed from NYC's The Green Room 42 on April 13, 2024. Nicole Holst is a classically trained dancer/choreographer, cabaret singer, and show producer who has been creating shows in NYC since 2006. Her specialty is creating high-quality, vintage-themed show concepts that transport the audience to magical eras in time and bring history back to life. To date, she has created 8 original evening-length shows, founded 3 dance companies, and curated several site-specific special events. Nicole has been hired as event manager by Sayen Art Festival, Dorian’s Guilded Society, and ACE Entertainment LA at the Ritz Carlton NoMad. Her work has been commissioned by Firestone Walker Beer, the American Folk Art Museum, and Billi Shakes at the Brooklyn Bowl. She looks forward to collaborating with the artists who inspire her and creating bespoke, immersive entertainment for NYC venues. See more at www.nicolenadineproductions.com and follow @nicolenadineproductions for the latest shows! SHOW LINKS
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The Filmed Live Musicals podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Listen elsewhere? Find the show on your favorite podcast app here.
Like what you hear? Rate and review us on Apple or Spotify! Let's get social! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Want to support the preservation of the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? Become a patron or make a tax-deductible donation! Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 
Host Luisa Lyons chats with David Nando Rodgers, an actor/singer/writer whose new cabaret My Sunday Clothes will be livestreamed from NYC’s The Green Room 42 on March 17, 2024.
In this thoughtful and enlightening conversation, David shares his journey into the world of musical theatre which began with sitting in the second row of a matinee of the Phantom of the Opera. Dive into the practice of theatre from the perspectives of drama school, performance, being a repeat viewer, and creating a new cabaret from scratch. David Nando Rodgers is an actor, singer, and writer. Recently, he appeared in The REV Theatre’s Evita in the ensemble and covered Juan Perón. Other select credits are Marat/Sade, Jane Eyre, The Rover, and Sweet Revenge. He co-adapted a production of Dracula and he’s been co-writing a new musical, The Starving Artist. David also has a longstanding non-profit administration career. Training: BFA, University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London. www.davidnandrodgers.com @davidnandorodgers Show Links Listen to the PodcastWatch the Podcast
The Filmed Live Musicals podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Listen elsewhere? Find the show on your favorite podcast app here.
Like what you hear? Rate and review us on Apple or Spotify! Let's get social! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Want to support the preservation of the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? Become a patron or make a tax-deductible donation! Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 
Ep 76 - Ursa: A Folk Musical
Host Luisa Lyons chats with Sam Boer, co-founder of The Uncommon Folk Collective and one of the composers behind Ursa: A Folk Musical, a theatre-concert hybrid that received its world premier in 2022 as part of the Toronto Fringe NextStage Festival. Ursa has since been performed across Canada, and at the end of 2023, it was available to stream via StratFest at Home (Stratford Festival’s online streaming platform), and was named by The Guardian as one of the best theatre shows to stream.
In this episode, learn about learn about the Uncommon Folk Collective, and delve into the process of developing Ursa: A Folk Musical. Hear about the daunting process of filming the musical for the Toronto Fringe NextStage Festival, and the importance of funding and recording new musicals. Sam Boer is a musician, writer, and theatre practitioner. He and Jake Schindler co-founded The Uncommon Folk Collective: a group dedicated to crafting music-forward theatre experiences. Their first original show, Ursa: A Folk Musical, was praised by The Guardian as a "winning, foot-tapping account of grizzly adolescence" and has been presented through the Toronto Fringe’s NextStage Festival, the Stratford Festival’s online streaming platform, the Kingston Grand Theatre, and Tweed & Company Theatre. Sam also records off-kilter folk music under the name Samson Wrote. His debut album Pigeon (2019), garnered a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination and led to tours across Canada and Europe. SHOW LINKS The Uncommon Folk Collective: Ursa: A Folk Musical
Samson Wrote NEW: Watch the podcast on YouTube!
Host Luisa Lyons chats with Doug Reside, curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division at the New York Public Library and author of Fixing the Musical: How Technology Shaped the Broadway Repertory, which looks at how the musicals that we remember, and the ones that are the most performed, are the musicals that were able to use the technologies of their time such as cast recordings, sheet music, and video, to document and share the work with those who would never see the original production on stage.
Doug shares his background in English and Computer Science, the challenges of preserving theatre history and the challenges of digital preservation, and we dive into his book Fixing the Musical and the fascinating history behind filming Broadway for public distribution, what needs to happen to make film recordings as ubiquitous as cast recordings, and how you can access the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at the New York Public Library! Doug Reside is the Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Division at New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and manages all aspects of the division’s collections and public services. He joined NYPL in 2011 first as the digital curator for the performing arts before assuming his current position in 2014. Prior to joining NYPL, Reside served on the directorial staff of the Maryland Institute for Technology in the Humanities at the University of Maryland. He holds a PhD in English from the University of Kentucky. SHOW LINKS (The below are affiliate links and as an associate, Filmed Live Musicals may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.) Fixing the Musical: How Technology Shaped the Broadway Musical
The Filmed Live Musicals podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Listen elsewhere? Find the show on your favorite podcast app here.
Like what you hear? Rate and review us on Apple or Spotify! Let's get social! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Want to support the preservation of the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? Become a patron or make a tax-deductible donation! Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 
Host Luisa Lyons chats with Kevin Purcell, the multi-award winning Australian conductor, musical director, composer, and arranger whose work spans across the worlds opera, classical, and musical theatre.
Go behind the scenes of Kevin’s latest work, Castle Gillian: An Irish Tale, a full-length virtual reality musical. Discover how the musical came to be, how it was made, and the exciting new model behind its release. Castle Gillian was an official selection of the Festival of International Virtual and Augmented Reality Stories; and was recently screened at the Cannes World Film Festival where it was nominated for Best Soundtrack, and won Best 360º Film, and Best Musical Film. Kevin also shares the inspiring story of his grandma - Dame Mary Dale, how being an opera conductor led him to musical theatre, the differences between working in the classical world and musical theatre, and working on the capture of Cats! Kevin Purcell is one of Australia’s most distinguished and awarded orchestral and opera conductors. Currently, Kevin serves as musical director for the Australian Discovery Orchestra – one of the world’s most innovative orchestral ensembles – whilst maintaining an active freelance career in the USA. He originally studied conducting at the Moscow Conservatory with Gennady Rozhdestvensky (1992), with subsequent graduate conducting studies at the Janácek Academy of Music (JAMU) with Otakar Trhlík, culminating with a Masters degree in orchestral conducting at Bard College (NY) under the late Harold Farberman. Additionally, Kevin studied Opera conducting with British conductor and Glyndebourne music director, Myer Fredman and Carlo Montanaro. Kevin has previously been the musical director of the original production of CATS at the New London Theatre and for the South Korean Premiere production. More recently Kevin has conducted WICKED at London’s Apollo Victoria theatre and was the originating musical director for the first national UK/Eire tour. As a composer of musicals, Kevin has worked with his long-time collaborator, book writer and lyricist Victor Kazan on Rebecca, The Stranger from Seville and Castle Gillian. He is a member of The Recording Academy and the Dramatists Guild. Kevin is managed by Francine Fletcher at Fletcher Associates (UK) and William Reinert Associates, Inc. (USA). Show Links
The Filmed Live Musicals podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on YouTube. Listen elsewhere? Find the show on your favorite podcast app here.
Like what you hear? Rate and review us on Apple or Spotify! Let's get social! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Want to support the preservation of the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? Become a patron or make a tax-deductible donation! Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. |
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