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Ep 52: Sheldon Epps

12/15/2022

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Host Luisa Lyons chats with artistic director, writer, and director Sheldon Epps. Mr. Epps shares what it took to film his musicals Play On! and Blues in the Night, how theatre on television influenced his own career, and why we must continue to film live theatre for television.

Sheldon Epps has directed major productions on and off Broadway, in London and at many theatres across America. In addition, he has had an active television career helming some of the classic shows of recent years. He was the artistic director of the renowned Pasadena Playhouse for two decades, and currently serves as senior artistic advisor at historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Epps new book, My Own Directions: A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theatre recounts his rollercoaster ride of a life in the theatre, with all the excitement and occasional anguish that come with the highs and lows. The author’s journey in the American theatre has been amplified by his experience as a Black man who has frequently been “one of the few,” “the first” or even “the only.”
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My Own Directions is available from Amazon and Bookshop.org (as an associate I may earn from qualifying purchases made through these links).

Watch Blues in the Night and Play On!. 
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.
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Ep 50: ProEnglish Theatre

11/17/2022

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On the 50th episode of the Filmed Live Musicals podcast, host Luisa Lyons chats with Alex Borovenskiy, the founder and executive director of the ProEnglish Theatre and Drama School in Kyiv, the only English-language theatre in the Ukraine.

Alex shares his experience of creating theatre in the middle of a war, how ProEnglish Theatre has adapted and continued to make new work, as well as collaborate with artists and theatres from around the world.

ProEnglish Theatre is an independent theatre based in Kyiv, Ukraine. Following the Russian invasion into the Ukraine in February 2022,  ProEnglish Theatre has served as a bomb shelter, a volunteer center, and a theatre. Despite the ever present threat of war, the company has continued to create new work, collaborated with theatres and artists in Japan, Taiwan, and Australia, performed at Prague Fest with an adaptation of The Book Thief, staged Pro.Act Fest — an international festival, and continued to teach theatre.

​Watch the 2022 Pro.Act Fest for free on Scenesaver.

Support ProEnglish Theatre at Patreon, or make a donation via PayPal to proenglishtheatre@gmail.com. 

​Visit ProEnglishTheatre.com, and follow on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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New Database Entries: Heathers & Velvet Determination

11/14/2022

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How very! There are two new entries in the database - Heathers: The Musical filmed live at The Other Palace in May this year, and Velvet Determination filmed live at the Hudson Guild Theatre in early 2020. 

Heathers ​is a dark musical comedy set at Westerberg High School where cliques rule. Veronica Sawyer is a reluctant member of the popular girl clique, the Heathers. With the help of newcomer J.D., Veronica sets to turn popularity on its head, and murder and mayhem ensue.

The London debut of the show has proved so popular it has had two West End runs (one pre, and one post the theatre shutdown), and is now in its extended second run in the off West End theatre The Other Palace. 

Learn more about Heathers: www.filmedlivemusicals.com/heathers. 

Velvet Determination is an autobiographical one woman show by actor, singer, and classical pianist Cynthia Shaw. In the show, Cynthia shares her journey from a tiny Colorado town to a prestigious music school in NYC, and all the characters who help, or hinder, along the way. 

You can also catch Cynthia talking about the history of the show on the Filmed Live Musicals podcast ! Learn more at www.filmedlivemusicals.com/velvet-determination. 


Want to know about upcoming filmed live musicals from Broadway and beyond? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter! 
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Scarce heard amid the guns

11/11/2022

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As elemental as song and dance are to human nature, so to is the quest for power, control of resources, and control over one another. Today marks 104 years since the armistice between the Allied Forces and Germany after four bloody years of war was declared. Now known as Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day in the US, it is a day to reflect upon the sacrifice of war, and honor the men and women who have served their countries through the military.

Sadly, war continues to be an ever-present reality for many people in the world. I had the honor of interviewing Alex Borovenskiy, the founder and executive director of the Ukrainian ProEnglish Theatre and Drama School in Kyiv. Literally amidst falling bombs, power cuts, and continued Russian aggression, Alex and his colleagues are creating new work that speaks to the times and broadcasting it to the world beyond the Ukraine’s borders. The 2022 PRO.ACT Festival, with the theme “Unbreakable,” is available to stream for free on Scenesaver. The episode will be available next week.

Other podcast episodes looking at musicals about war include Allegiance with composer and producer Jay Kuo going behind the scenes of the musical about the incarceration of Japanese-American citizens on American soil during WWII, Pieces of String with composer Gus Gowland talking about his musical inspired by the untold stories of gay men in the military, and Pacific Overtures with theatre historian Margaret Hall delving into the history of Sondheim’s musical about the forcible opening of Japan to the West.

Below is a list of stage musicals you can watch from home which tell the stories of war across history, and from across the world.

Allegiance
Allegiance is loosely based on the events of actor George Takei’s life. During World War II, Takei and his family, along with 120,000 Japanese-American citizens were incarcerated in camps within the United States. Filmed live on Broadway in 2016, and released in cinemas in December of that year. It briefly held the record as Fathom Events’ highest grossing Broadway film. Click here for streaming options.

An American in Paris
Using the music of George and Ira Gerswhin, this romanticized musical tells the story of an American GI who falls in love with a Parisian woman in the days following the end of WWII. Adapted from the MGM movie of the same name, the stage production was filmed live in the West End in 2017. Click here for streaming options.

Bandstand
Filmed live on Broadway in 2017, this swing musical tells the story of a musician who returns from fighting in Europe during WWII, traumatized but with the desire to re-build his life following the death of his best friend. Although the musical was the first theatrical production to be certified by Get Your 6 for its authentic portrayal of the military, Bandstand was criticized for its lack of characters or actors of color. Released in cinemas in 2018, the musical was briefly available to stream on Playbill and Broadway on Demand earlier this year. Click here for streaming options.

From Here to Eternity
British musical From Here to Eternity is based on James Jones’ novel of the same name. With music by Stuart Brayson, lyrics by Sir Tim Rice, and a book by Bill Oakes, the musical depicts the affairs of US soldiers stationed in Hawaii in the lead-up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was filmed live during its West End run in 2014. Click here for streaming options.

Hamilton
A much lauded hip hop musical following the trials and tribulations of American founding father Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton depicts battles from the Revolutionary War, along with the battles of the cabinet. Click here for streaming options.

Imagine This
A fictionalized re-telling of true events, Imagine This is set in the Warsaw Jewish ghetto during the Holocaust. With departure to a camp imminent, a local theatre troupe are encouraged by their director to stage a musical about Masada (where a group of 960 Jewish refugees in the year 70 attempted to evade Roman soldiers before committing mass suicide). The musical had a short-lived run on the West End in 2008 where it was filmed live. Now available on DVD. Click here for purchasing options.

Les Miserables
Based on Victor Hugo’s historical novel of the same name, Les Miserables is not set during the French Revolution, during the uprisings that took place a few decades later. Although the stories and characters in Les Mis are fiction, they are drawn from Hugo’s close observations of Paris life. The musical has to date been filmed live three times, the 10th anniversary concert, 25th anniversary concert, and, most recently, last year’s West End staged concert. Click on each title for streaming options.

Love at Times
A two-act play with music and movement filmed at the ProEnglish Theatre in Kyiv during the Russian invasion in 2022. Part 1 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” sees two gay soldiers from the Territorial Defense of Kyiv discussing their romantic relationship. In part 2, “Katie and Frank,” the title couple argues over the old adage “you never listen to me.” Available for free with registration on Scenesaver. The ProEnglish Theatre’s one-woman play The Book of Sirens, a contemporary adaptation of The Book Thief set in Kyiv, is also worth a watch.

Miss Saigon
A modernized re-telling of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon. The musical tells the ill-fated love story of Kim, a young woman in Saigon, and an American G.I., Chris. The 25th anniversary gala production was filmed live in the West End in 2016. Click here for streaming options.

Only the Brave
Based on true stories, this British musical follows Captain John Howard and Lieutenant Denholm Brotheridge, and their wives Joy and Maggie, as the soldiers prepare for the D-Day landings. The 2016 production at the Wales Millennium Centre featured a real-life vet playing the role of John Howard Senior. Only the Brave was filmed live for archival purposes in 2016. Click here for streaming options.

Pacific Overtures
Self-described by composer Stephen Sondheim as “the most bizarre and unusual musical ever to be seen in a commercial setting,” Pacific Overtures is a concept musical set around Commodore Perry’s first visit to Japan in 1853. It was filmed live during its original Broadway run for distribution on Japanese television. Click here for streaming options.

Pieces of String
Set in 1940 and the present day, British musical Pieces of String was inspired by a BBC documentary that briefly mentioned gay relationships in the armed forces during World War II, and modern day stories of gay men being unable to donate blood. Composer Gus Gowland sought to widen the scope for the way gay male characters are portrayed in musical theatre (a topic which he later explored in his PhD dissertation), and attempted to ensure women were also equally represented in the musical. The musical was filmed live during its run at Mercury Theatre Colchester in 2018. Click here for streaming options.

South Pacific 
Based on the short story collection Tales of the South Pacific, the now classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical was ground breaking musical for its exploration of racism, war, and interracial relationships. There are currently two filmed live productions of South Pacific in the database - the 2010 Lincoln Center revival and the 2005 Carnegie Hall concert starring Reba McIntyre and Brian Stokes Mitchell. The latter is available on DVD. Click here for purchasing options.

A Tale of Two Cities
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities is based on Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name. The musical had a brief run on Broadway in 2008, and has received concert stagings in London, Paris, and Brighton. The concert performances were compiled into a special which was broadcast on PBS and is now available on DVD (this is an affiliate link and as an associate I may earn income from qualifying purchases).

Tyneham: No Small Sacrifice
This British musical tells the story of the residents of Tyneham, who were told to leave their homes in 1942 as the bequest of the British military. Although the residents were promised their homes would be returned, Tyneham remains military property to this day. Performed by amateur theatre company Generations Apart in 2013, the musical is currently available to view on YouTube.

V for Victory
This still-in-development British musical explores the lives of a group of friends in the resistance against the German occupation of Jersey during World War II. A concert version was performed at the Stockwell Playhouse in 2018 and was filmed live. Click here for streaming options.

Waiting for the Ship to Sail
Produced by Chickenshed in the UK, this timely musical is an artistic response to the urgent and pressing questions of global migration, and investigates the concepts of national and personal identity. It is currently available on YouTube.

Yank!
The off-Broadway musical YANK! tells the story of soldiers falling in love, and depicts the gay scene that “thrived just beneath the surface of the US Army in the 1940s.” The musical was a hit of the NY Musical Theatre Festival in 2005, and had a successful off-Broadway run in 2010. Below 54 hosted a 10th anniversary concert in early 2020, and the video is currently available on YouTube.

How will you be honoring those whose lives have been lost in war, and those who have devoted their lives to service today?

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New Database Entries

9/21/2022

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​There are two new entries to take a look at in the database - Better Late (1946) and Of a Lifetime (2021). The titles were filmed 75 years apart and represent very different possibilities of bringing live musicals to the screen. And just for fun, despite being filmed in the UK and US respectively, both musicals have Aussie connections much like yours truly who is Australian born!  

Better Late was a musical revue starring Beatrice Lillie, and it was the first musical to be broadcast live by the BBC from the West End following WWII. The cast also included Aussie actor Murray Matheson who became a dear friend of Lillie's. A fun connection for me, when I was accepted to study at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama I was awarded the Beatrice Lillie Scholarship! I wonder what Ms. Lillie and Mr. Murray would think of this Aussie, who trained in London and now lives in the US, would think of their revue being studied in this way over three-quarters of century later?!  

Of a Lifetime is a new electro-rock sci-fi musical by Aussie writer and composer James C.K. Jefferies. The musical was filmed during its off-Broadway run in 2021, and the film was an official selection of the 2022 International New York Film Festival where it received a Merit Award. It's available to stream online.

Visit the database to learn more! 
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Weekly News 6/16/2022

6/16/2022

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This week in Filmed Live Musicals news includes work from Tony nominees and winners, a Hawaiian Language Theatre Festival, new digital offerings from Chichester Festival Theatre, TEDx Broadway Ten, upcoming releases and more! 

Tony Tony Tony!
I know many of my readers outside the US were frustrated that they weren’t able to watch the Tony Awards this year, either live or on catch-up. Despite this, it bodes well for filmed theatre that 6 shows from the 2021/22 Broadway season have been, or will be filmed live for release.
  • Diana: The Musical: filmed on Broadway in 2021 and available via Netflix
  • Girl from the North Country: filmed live on Broadway in May 2022. Release date TBA.
  • Six: scheduled to be filmed in late June/early July this year. Release date TBA.
  • Clyde’s: The final 16 performances were livestreamed earlier this year. Not currently available to view.
  • The Lehman Trilogy: filmed live during its original West End run at the National Theatre and currently available in select cinemas via NT Live.
  • Pass Over: Antoinette Nwandu’s extraordinary play filmed live at Steppenwolf Theatre in 2017. Directed by Spike Lee (who also directed Passing Strange) and now available via Amazon Prime.

Earlier in the week, I shared a blog post, Where To Watch the Tony Winners & Nominees, which features a list of over 35 filmed live musicals that this year’s Tony contenders previously worked on, most of which are available to stream!

'Aha Hana Keaka: KEAKA Hawaiian Language Theatre Festival
The month long festival is available on demand for free and includes a wide range films, plays, musicals, and slam poetry performed in “full Hawaiian language to partial Hawaiian language.” The musical Wordsworth, available with Hawaiian or English subtitles, looks particularly delightful. More info and access via KEAKA Hawaiian Language Theatre Festival.

Chichester Festival Theatre: Digital Stages
In July, Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) will be celebrating their 60th anniversary with five unique digital events. Events include Visionary Stages which will use cutting-edge technology to recreate the stage as it looked in 1962, and Digital Diorama which will feature 60 pieces from CFT’s archive such as model boxes, props, costumes, set designs, and sound bites. More info and tickets from CFT.

International Thespian Festival
A festival celebrating school theatre taking place at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. For the first time, a virtual option is being made available which includes access to a livestream of the opening ceremony, online workshops, and screenings of The SpongeBob Musical and the National Theatre production of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Virtual tickets for non-members are $99US. More info and tickets from ITF.

​TEDx Broadway Ten
The tenth anniversary of TEDx Broadway was held at New World Stages on May 17, and is now available to stream via Stellar. Speakers include Emanuel Azenberg, Sammy Lopez, past Filmed Live Musicals podcast guest Margaret Hall, and more! Tickets are $15US. More info and access via Stellar.

​Upcoming Releases
  • Trevor: The Musical filmed live off-Broadway at Stage 42 will be available on Netflix from June 24, 2022.
  • Josh Groban’s Great Big Radio City Show Livestream filmed live at Radio City Hall earlier in 2022 will be streaming on June 24 @ 8pm ET. More info and tix from Livestream.
  • Maury Yeston’s Phantom will be available in Larkspur, California and Seattle, Washington later this month. Check Art Seen Films for more details, and to request a screening near you!
  • In honor of World Music Day on June 21, Disney Plus will livestream Harmonious Live!, a special performance of the EPCOT nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World featuring a vivid light and laser show, 240 artists from around the world and a live orchestra. Hosted by Idina Menzel with special guest, Auli‘i Cravalho of Moana.
  • Works from The Rogue Theater Festival in New York City, including new musical Extraordinary Hero, will be available to stream on demand June 30 - July 3, 2022. More info and tickets from Rogue Theater Festival.
  • The New York Public Library’s Theatre on Film and Tape Archive will stream The Creative Process: Interview with Angela Lansbury, recorded in 2019 on July 11. The stream will be made available for free. More info and registration via NYPLPA.
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Where to Watch the Tony Winners & Nominees

6/13/2022

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I had so much fun live-tweeting the Tony Awards and sharing the past filmed live work of the nominees! As I shared on Twitter, I love celebrating Broadway & live theatre, but I also want to acknowledge how hard it is for so many people to attend in person because of cost, location, childcare, disability, illness & a myriad of other reasons. 

Filmed theatre provides access to theatre, it creates a historical record of the ephemeral, has the potential to generate new income, and can be used as an educational tool. Filmed theatre must be a part of accessibility planning.

It bodes well that 5 shows from this season were filmed/broadcast (whether from Broadway or the West End). I hope that one day, audiences around the world will be able to access every show. ​

Here you'll find a list of the filmed live musicals and plays from the 2021/22 season, and a list of filmed live musicals that this year's winners and nominees have worked on. 

In this week's newsletter dropping on Thursday, patrons will also have access to a list of plays, operas, films, and other digital works from this year's nominees. If you want access, become a Filmed Live Musical Patron today! You'll also get access to the streaming calendar, early access to the podcast, and more bonus content!  

This post contains affiliate links and as an affiliate I may earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.

Filmed Live Shows from the 2021/22 Season
Musicals
Diana: The Musical (2021)
  • Tony noms: Best Costume Design of a Musical - William Ivey Long
  • Sound design by Gareth Owen - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical for MJ
  • Filmed live on Broadway without an audience in 2021. Now available to view on Netflix

Girl from the North Country (2022)
  • Tony wins: Best Orchestrations - Simon Hale
  • Tony noms: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical - Conor McPherson, Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical - Mare Winningham, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Leading Role in Musical - Jeannette Bayardelle, Best Sound Design of a Musical - Simon Baker, Best Direction of a Musical - Conor McPherson,
  • Filmed live on Broadway in May 2022. Release date TBA.

Six (2022)
  • Tony wins: Best Original Score/Lyrics - Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow, Best Costume Design - Gabriella Slade
  • Tony noms: Best Musical, Best Lighting Design - Tim Deiling, Best Sound Design of a Musical - Paul Gatehouse, Best Direction of a Musical - Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, Best Choreography - Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Best Orchestrations - Tom Curran
  • The West End production will be filmed in July 2022 featuring the original cast. Release date TBA
  • The Broadway cast album, SIX: Live on Opening Night was recorded, as its name suggests, live on opening night and is widely available to stream including on Amazon Music.

Plays
Clyde’s (2022)
  • Tony noms: Best Play, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play - Ron Cephas Jones, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play - Uzo Aduba & Kara Young, Best Costume Design of a Play - Jennifer Moeller,
  • Written by Lynn Nottage - Nominated for Best Book of a Musical for MJ; Sound design by Justin Ellington  - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Play
  • A play that was livestreamed during its final 16 performances at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Not currently available to view.

The Lehman Trilogy (2019)
  • Tony wins: Best Play, Best Director - Sam Mendes, Best Lighting Design of a Play - Jon Clark, Best Scenic Design of a Play - Es Devlin, Best Performance by a Leading Man in a Play - Simon Russell Beale
  • Tony noms: Best Sound Design of a Play - Nick Powell & Dominic Bilkey, Best Performance by a Leading Man in a Play - Adrian Lester & Adam Godley
  • Filmed live at the National Theatre in 2019. Available in select cinemas. Check NT Live for local listings.

Filmed Live Musicals
An American in Paris (2017)
  • Book by Craig Lucas - Nom for Best Book of a Musical for Paradise Square; lighting design by Natasha Katz - nominated for Best Lighting Design for MJ; Choreography and direction by Christopher Wheeldon - nominated for Best Director of a Musical for MJ
  • Filmed live in the West End and widely available to stream.

Anything Goes (2021)
  • Stars Sutton Foster as Fiona - nominated for Best Actress in a Musical in a Leading Role for Music Man
  • Filmed live in the West End in 2021. Available to stream in the UK on BBC iPlayer, and in the US on PBS and AppleTV.

Cabaret (1993)
  • Directed by Sam Mendes - nominated for Best Director of a Play for The Lehman Trilogy
  • Filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in 1993. It aired on British TV and is now available on YouTube.

Candide (2004)
  • Stars Patti LuPone - winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Company)
  • A special limited engagement with the New York Philharmonic filmed live at Lincoln Center in 2004. Now available on DVD.

Carousel (2013)
  • Scenic design by Allan Moyer - nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Paradise Square; choreography by Warren Carlyle - nominated for Best Choreographer for The Music Man
  • The New York Philharmonic’s 2013 production starring Kelli O’Hara filmed live at Lincoln Center. Now available to stream on Amazon and BroadwayHD.

Come From Away -
  • Scenic design by Beowulf Boritt - nominee for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for Flying Over Sunset; costume design by Toni-Leslie James - Nominated for Best Costume Design of a Musical for Paradise Square; sound design by Gareth Owen - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical for MJ
  • A special performance of the Broadway production was filmed live during the Broadway lockdown in 2021. Now available to stream on Apple Plus.

Contact (2002)
  • Costume design by William Ivey Long - nominated for Best Costume Design for Diana: The Musical
  • Not currently available to view

Company (1996)
  • Directed by Sam Mendes - nominated for Best Director of a Play for The Lehman Trilogy; stars Adrian Lester as Bobby - nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
  • Filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in 1996

Company (2011)
  • Features Patti LuPone - winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Company) and Tony Awards host Ariana DeBose in the ensemble
  • A staged concert performance with the New York Philharmonic filmed live at Lincoln Center in 2011. Now available on DVD.

The Cradle Will Rock (1986)
  • Features Patti LuPone - winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Company)
  • The 1983 off-Broadway revival was filmed live and broadcast on PBS in 1986. Not currently available to view.

FELA! (2011)
  • Choreography, direction, concept & book by Bill T. Jones - nominated for Best Choreography for Paradise Square
  • Filmed live during its run at the National Theatre. Not currently available.

Fosse (2001)
  • Costume design by Santo Loquasto - nominated for Best Costume Design for Music Man
  • Filmed live on Broadway in 2001. Available on DVD.

Hamilton (2016)
  • Costume design by Paul Tazewell - nominated for Best Costume Design for MJ
  • Filmed live in 2016 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway.

Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (2018)
  • Costume design by Paul Tazewell - nominated for Best Costume Design for MJ; choreography by Camille A. Brown - nominated for Best Director of a Play & Best Choreography for for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf
  • Filmed live in 2018 and now available on DVD.

The King and I
  • Lighting design by Donald Holder - nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Paradise Square
  • The Lincoln Center revival filmed live in the West End in 2018.

The Last Five Years (2020)
  • Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown - nominated for Best Original Score for Mr. Saturday Night
  • Filmed live without at Southwark Playhouse in 2020. Available via BroadwayHD.

The Light in the Piazza (2006)
  • Book by Craig Lucas - Nom for Best Book of a Musical for Paradise Square
  • Filmed live at Lincoln Center in 2006. Not currently available to view.

Little Women (2021)
  • Composed by Jason Howland - Nominated for Best Original Score for Paradise Square
  • The London premier of Little Women was filmed during its run at the Park Theatre in December 2021. It’s now available to stream on BroadwayHD.

Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary 
  • Sound mix by Paul Gatehouse - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical for Six
  • A special concert to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Les Misérables filmed live at London’s O2 in 2010. Widely available to stream.

Love Never Dies
  • Sound design by Paul Gatehouse - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical for Six
  • The Australian production filmed live in 2011 and widely available to stream

Newsies
  • Sound mix by Paul Gatehouse - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical for Six
  • The Broadway musical filmed live in LA in 2016 and widely available to stream.

Oklahoma! (1998)
  • Stars Hugh Jackman - Nom for Best Actor in a Musical in a Leading Role
  • The National Theatre’s 1998 revival was filmed in a studio at the end of its run and is now available on DVD.

Passing Strange (2008)
  • Assistant director was Stephen Bracket - nominated for Best Director of a Musical for A Strange Loop
  • Filmed live on Broadway in 2008. Now available on DVD & to stream.

Passion (2005)
  • Stars Patti LuPone - winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • Filmed live at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theatre in 2005. Not officially available to view.

Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall (2011)
  • Sound mix by Paul Gatehouse - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical for Six
  • A special concert to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Phantom of the Opera filmed live at Royal Albert Hall. Widely available to stream.

She Loves Me -
  • Lighting design by Donald Holder - nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Paradise Square; choreography by Warren Carlyle - nominated for Best Choreographer for The Music Man
  • the first Broadway musical to be livestreamed. Now available on BroadwayHD.

Shrek the Musical 
  • Stars Sutton Foster as Fiona - nominated for Best Actress in a Musical in a Leading Role for Music Man; Jennifer Simard - nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical plays the Wicked Witch
  • Filmed live on Broadway in 2013. Available to stream on Amazon and Netflix.

Smokey Joe’s Cafe (2000)
  • Costume design by William Ivey Long - nominated for Best Costume Design for Diana: The Musical
  • The final 3 performances were filmed live on Broadway in 2000. Available on DVD.

South Pacific (2010)
  • Lighting design by Donald Holder - nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Paradise Square
  • Filmed live at Lincoln Center in 2010. Not currently available to view.

Spongebob The Musical (2019)
  • Orchestrations by Tom Kitt - nominated for Best Original Score for Flying Over Sunset, associate sound design by Drew Levy - nominated for Best Sound Design of a Musical for A Strange Loop

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Live in Concert -
  • Stars Patti LuPone - winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
  • A staged concert version filmed live with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 2001. Now available on DVD.

Taboo
  • Musical director Jason Howland - Nominated for Best Original Score for Paradise Square
  • Howland worked on the Broadway production, but the original West End production was filmed during its run at the Cambridge and is now available on DVD.

The Wiz Live! (2015)
  • Costume design by Paul Tazewell - nominated for Best Costume Design for MJ
  • Filmed live in 2015 and now available on BroadwayHD.

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Tony, Tony, Tony!

5/8/2022

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With Tony Award nominations being announced on Monday, May 9, it's time to  re-visit filmed live Tony Award nominated and winning musicals! It's sad to think that of the 34 eligible Broadway plays and musicals in the 2021/22 season, only two productions were streamed - Diana The Musical (now available to stream on Netflix) and Second Stage's production of Clyde's. Girl From North Country was filmed in late April, but a release date has yet to be announced.

This post includes a list of over 30 Tony nominated, and Tony Award winning musicals, including 9 Best Musical winners, most of which are available to stream on demand. Dating back to 1962, the majority of shows were filmed on Broadway, however musicals filmed on tour, or in the West End, that are transfers or replicas of the Tony nominated show have also been included.

If you’re looking for more content, the Filmed Live Musicals database contains info on over 170 filmed live musicals (and growing!), including new productions of Tony nominated musicals like the filmed live concerts of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, three versions of Jesus Christ Superstar, regional productions of Fun Home, Curtains, Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, and more! Visit the database to learn more!

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Show Girl
This star vehicle revue for Carol Channing was filmed towards the end of its Broadway run at the Eugene O’Neil Theatre in 1961 and broadcast on early pay TV in Etobicoke, Canada. It hasn’t officially been released, but it’s available to view on YouTube.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Carol Channing

Pacific Overtures
Sondheim and John Weidman’s concept musical about Commodore Perry’s first visit to Japan in 1853. The original Broadway production was filmed live at the Winter Garden in 1976 for distribution on Japanese television. Like Show Girl, it hasn’t officially been released since airing on television, but it’s available on YouTube.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Costume Designer - Florence Klotz
  • Win for Best Scenic Designer - Boris Aronson
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Mako
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role, Musical - Isao Sato
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - John Weidman
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Patricia Birch
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Harold Prince
  • Nom for Best Lighting Designer - Tharon Musser
  • Nom for Best Musical
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Stephen Sondheim

Pirates of Penzance
The Public Theater’s 1980 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta transferred to Broadway in 1981. Before its transfer, the production was filmed live at the Delacorte in Centra Park featuring Kevin Kevin Kline, G. Eugene Moose, Rex Smith, Patricia Routledge, Linda Ronstadt, Alice Playten, Marcie Shaw, Wendy Wolfe, and Alexandra Korey. Kultur Video released the DVD in 2002.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Revival
  • Win for Best Actor in a Musical - Kevin Kline
  • Win for Best Director of a Musical - Wilford Leach
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - George Rose
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Linda Ronstadt
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Tony Azito
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Graciela Daniele

Ain’t Misbehavin’
Based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., a revue musical set in a 1930s Harlem nightclub featuring music written, or made popular by, stride pianist Fats Waller. It was later taped with a live audience at NBC’s Burbank Studios in 1982, featuring Nell Carter, Andre De Shields, Armelia McQueen, Ken Page, and Charlaine Woodard. It was broadcast on NBC, and also in Finland. It hasn’t officially been released since, though it’s currently available on YouTube.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Director of a Musical - Richard Maltby, Jr.
  • Win for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Nell Carter
  • Nom for for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Charlaine Woodard
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Arthur Faria

Sophisticated Ladies
A musical revue featuring the music of Duke Ellington. In November 1982, it was billed as the first musical to be broadcast on pay TV. Most of the Broadway cast picketed the filming over contract negotiations, and a fear that the broadcast would negatively impact ticket sales. The touring cast, which included original cast members Hinton Battle, Terri Klausner, and Gregg Burge performed in the broadcast instead. The revue is now available on DVD and on BroadwayHD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Hinton Battle
  • Win for Best Costume Designer - Willa Kim
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Gregory Hines
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Phyllis Hyman
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Henry Ie Tan, Donald McKayle, and Michael Smuin
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Michael Smuin
  • Nom for Best Lighting Designer - Jennifer Tipton
  • Nom for Best Musical

Camelot
The short-lived revival of Lerner and Loewe’s mythic musical. Starring Richard Harris and Meg Bussert, the musical was filmed live at the Winter Garden and aired on HBO, who had invested $3 million into the taping. Now available on DVD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Paxton Whitehead
  • Nom for Best Revival

Sweeney Todd
Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s dark operetta that tells the story of a London barber who seeks revenge on the judge who destroyed his life. Directed by Hal Prince and starring Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury, the musical opened on Broadway in 1979. Three years later, the musical was filmed live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, the first major American musical to be taped whilst on tour. It aired on cable TV in 1982, and is now available to stream on Amazon.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Original Musical Score - Stephen Sondheim
  • Win for Best Scenic Designer - Eugene Lee
  • Win for Best Actor in a Musical - Len Cariou
  • Win for Best Actress in a Musical - Angela Lansbury
  • Win for Best Book of a Musical - Hugh Wheeler
  • Win for Best Costume Designer - Franne Lee
  • Win for Best Director of a Musical - Harold Prince
  • Nom for Best Lighting Designer - Ken Billington

Sunday in the Park with George
Sondheim and Lapine’s musical based on Seurat’s pointillist painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The musical was filmed after the show closed during a special performance at the Booth Theatre and aired on Showtime in February 1986. It has since been released on DVD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Lighting Designer - Richard Nelson
  • Win for Best Scenic Designer - Tony Straiges
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Mandy Patinkin
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Bernadette Peters
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Dana Ivey
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - James Lapine
  • Nom for Best Costume Designer - Patricia Zipprodt and Ann Hould-Ward
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - James Lapine
  • Nom for Best Musical
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Stephen Sondheim

The Will Rogers Follies
Inspired by the words of Will and Betsy Rogers, this 1991 revue at the Palace Theatre was is an upbeat celebration of the life of American folk hero and international superstar Will Rogers, told through lavishly staged production numbers. Like Pacific Overtures and Victor/Victoria, the show was filmed live for distribution on Japanese television. It hasn’t officially been released, but is available on YouTube.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Choreographer - Tommy Tune
  • Win for Best for Costume Designer - Willa Kim
  • Win for Best Director of a Musical - Tommy Tune
  • Win for Best Lighting Designer - Jules Fisher
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Original Musical Score - Cy Coleman, Betty Comden and Adolph Green
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Keith Carradine
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Dee Hoty
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Featured Role - Cady Huffman
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Peter Stone   
  • Nom for Best Scenic Designer - Tony Walton

Into the Woods
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s 1987 fairytale musical that combines  several different children’s stories into one intricate and grown-up world. The musical was filmed live towards the end of its run in 1989 and aired on PBS in 1991. It was later released on VHS and DVD, and is now available on Amazon Prime.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Actress in a Musical - Joanna Gleason
  • Win for Best Book of a Musical - James Lapine
  • Win for Best Original Musical Score - Stephen Sondheim
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Robert Westenberg
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Lar Lubovitch
  • Nom for Best Costume Designer - Ann Hould-Ward
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - James Lapine
  • Nom for Best Lighting Designer - Richard Nelson
  • Nom for Best Musical
  • Nom for Best Scenic Designer - Tony Straiges

Victor/Victoria
Based on the 1982 movie of the same name about a singer who disguises herself as a man pretending to be a woman in order to work, the show was a star vehicle for Julie Andrews in her first Broadway show in over three decades. The musical played a troubled run at the Marquis Theatre from October 1995 until July 1997. Like Pacific Overtures and The Will Rogers Follies, the show was filmed live for distribution on Japanese TV. Unlike the previous two, Victor/Victoria also aired on television in North America and was released on DVD and Blu-Ray. The show received one Tony nomination, Best Actress for Julie Andrews, who famously turned down the nomination stating the show had been snubbed. It’s now available on Amazon Prime.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Julie Andrews

Smokey Joe’s Cafe
A revue celebrating the songbook of 1960s pop composers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller whose hit songs included “Hound Dog,” “Love Potion No. 9,” “On Broadway,” and “Yakety Yak.” The final few performances were taped by the Broadway Television Network in January 2000, and aired later in that year. It is now available on DVD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Victor Trent Cook
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Brenda Braxton
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - B.J. Crosby
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - DeLee Lively
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Joey McKneely
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Jerry Zaks
  • Nom for Best Musical

Putting it Together
A musical revue featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim. The show takes place at a party thrown by a wealthy, older married couple, and involves a younger man, a frisky maid, and a comedic commentator. Opening in 1999, the revue featured Carol Burnett, George Hearn, John Barrowman, Ruthie Henshall, and Bronson Pinchot. Like Smokey Joe’s Cafe the final performance was filmed live at the Barrymore Theatre by the Broadway Television Network in February 2000. Now available on BroadwayHD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - George Hearn

Fosse
A revue-style three-act musical celebrating the “great, and lesser-known, musical numbers” choreographed by the legend himself. The musical opened at the Broadhurst Theatre in January 1999. A week before its closing in August 2001, Dance in America captured the show over four performances. The film aired on PBS in January 2002, and it’s now available on DVD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Lighting Designer - Andrew Bridge
  • Win for Best Orchestrations - Ralph Burns and Douglas Besterman
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Desmond Richardson
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Scott Wise
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Valerie Petiford
  • Nom for Best Costume Designer - Santo Loquasto
  • Nom for Best Director fo a Musical - Richard Maltby Jr. & Ann Reinking

Jekyll and Hyde
Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse, and Steve Cuden’s musical based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s infamous novella. The musical starred David Hasselhoff and was filmed live by the Broadway Television Network during the last week of its run at the Plymouth Theatre (now the Gerald Schoenfeld) in December 2000. It was released on cable TV and also aired in select US cinemas, the first “non-film” to receive a digital release. It’s now available on BroadwayHD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Robert Cuccioli
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Leslie Bricusse
  • Nom for Best Costume Designer - Ann Curtis
  • Nom for Best Lighting Designer - Beverly Emmons

Contact
This “dance play” was conceived, directed, and choreographed by Susan Stroman in collaboration with John Weidman, and was set in eighteenth century France, 1950s New York, and modern day New York. Its 7 Tony Award nominations stirred much controversy, with the Musicians Union, along with several prominent Broadway orchestrators, petitioning the League of American Theatres and Producers to reconsider contact’s eligibility as a musical. The closing night performance was broadcast live from the Vivian Beaumont Theater on Live From Lincoln Center on PBS. It has not been officially released since the broadcast.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Best Choreographer - Susan Stroman
  • Win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Boyd Gaines
  • Win for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Karen Ziemba
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Deborah Yates
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - John Weidman
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Susan Stroman

Legally Blonde
Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin’s 2007 musical adaption of the movie of the same name. The musical was filmed live at the Palace Theatre and later broadcast on MTV, drawing in 12.5 million viewers. The broadcast was directly credited with boosting ticket sales at the box office, and the show’s popularity on the road. Due to strict contract negotiations, the capture has not been officially released it aired on television.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Laura Bell Bundy
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Christian Borle
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Orfeh
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Heather Hach
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Jerry Mitchell
  • Nom for Best Costume Design of a Musical - Gregg Barnes
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin

Company
John Doyle’s 2006 actor-muso revival of Stephen Sondheim’s concept musical about marriage and relationships. Toward the of its run in 2007, the musical was filmed live at the Ethel Barrymore and broadcast on PBS’ Great Performances. It is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Revival of a Musical
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Raul Esparza
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - John Doyle

RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway
Jonathan Larson’s multi-award winning rock opera based on La Boheme. The original show was filmed live in its 12th and final year on Broadway at the Nederlander, and screened in cinemas across the US. It’s now available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and widely available to stream online including on Amazon.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Book of a Musical - Jonathan Larson
  • Win for Best Original Musical Score - Jonathan Larson
  • Win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Wilson Jermaine Heredia
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Adam Pascal
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Daphne Rubin-Vega
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Idina Menzel
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Marlies Yearby
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Michael Greif
  • Nom for Best Lighting Designer - Blake Burba

FELA!
A musical about Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, who developed a unique style of music known as AfroBeat, a blending of African rhythms and harmonies with jazz and funk, with politically and socially driven lyrics. It was the first show staged at the National Theatre to be concurrently running on Broadway. It was filmed live during its run at the National Theatre and broadcast in cinemas around the world in 2011. Not currently available to view.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Choreographer - Bill T. Jones
  • Win for Best Costume Design - Marina Draghici
  • Win for Best Sound Design - Robert Kaplowitz
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Bill T. Hones
  • Nom for Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Robert Wierzel
  • Nom for Best Musical
  • Nom for Best Orchestrations - Aaron Johnson
  • Nom for Best Scenic Design - Marina Draghici
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Sahr Ngaujah
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Lillias White
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Jim Lewis and Bill T. Jones

Shrek the Musical
Featuring Brian d’Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Daniel Breaker, Christopher Sieber, and John Tartaglia, DreamWork’s first foray into stage entertainment was filmed live on Broadway with 10 HD cameras during its run at the Broadway Theatre. The DVD and Blu-Ray were released in 2013, and the musical is also available to stream on demand on Netflix.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Costume Design of a Musical - Tim Hatley
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Brian d’Arcy James
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Sutton Foster
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Christopher Sieber
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - David Lindsay-Abaire
  • Nom for Best Musical
  • Nom for Best Orchestrations - Danny Troob and John Clancy
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire

Passing Strange
Developed in collaboration with Heidi Rodewald and Annie Doren, the musical was a loosely based on its composer and writer, Stew, who left his conventional religious Los Angeles home to travel and find “the real.” Spike Lee filmed the musical live on Broadway in 2008, and the film premiered at the 25th annual Sundance Film Festival in 2009. It’s now available on DVD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Book of a Musical - Stew
  • Win for Best Costume Design of a Musical - Tim Hatley
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Stew
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Muscial - Daniel Breaker
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - de’Adre Aziza
  • Nom for Best Musical
  • Nom for Best Orchestrations - Stew & Heidi Rodewald
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Stew & Heidi Rodewald

South Pacific
Lincoln Center’s sumptuous 2008 revival directed by Bartlett Sher and starring Kelli O’Hara and Paulo Szot. In the last week of the run at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre, the musical was broadcast live on PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center. It has not been officially released since.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Actor in a Musical - Paulo Szot
  • Win for Best Costume Design - Catherine Zuber
  • Win for Best Director of a Musical - Bartlett Sher
  • Win for Best Lighting Design - Donald Holder
  • Win for Best Revival of a Musical
  • Win for Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Michael Yeargan
  • Win for Best Sound Design of a Musical - Scott Lehrer
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Kelli O’Hara
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Danny Burstein
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Loretta Ables Sayre
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Christopher Gattelli

Memphis
An original musical about the power of music to overcome racial divides in 1950s America starring Montego Glover, Chadd Kimball, and James Monroe Iglehart. The musical was filmed live on Broadway in January 2011 by NCM Fathom and Broadway Worldwide. It’s now available on DVD and Blu-Ray and to stream on BroadwayHD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Orchestrations - Daryl Water and David Bryan
  • Win for Best Original Musical Score - David Bryan, Joe DiPietro, and David Bryan
  • Win for Best Book of a Musical - Joe DiPietro
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Chad Kimball
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Montego Glover
  • Nom for Best Costume Design of a Musical - Paul Tazewell
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Christopher Ashley

She Loves Me
Roundabout’s 2016 revival starring Laura Benanti, Gavin Creel, Byron Jennings, Jane Krakowski, and Zachary Levi. In June 2016, the show became the first Broadway musical to be livestreamed online. The broadcast attracted viewers from 60 countries around the world and #SheLovesMeLive trended internationally on Twitter. It’s now available to view on BroadwayHD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Scenic Design - David Rockwell
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Zachary Levi
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Laura Benanti
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Jane Krakowski
  • Nom for Best Costume Design of a Musical - Jeff Mashie
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Scott Ellis
  • Nom for Best Orchestrations - Larry Hochman
  • Nom for Best Revival of a Musical

Hamilton
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton told with hip hop music and a cast made up predominantly of people of color. The musical was filmed live in 2016 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, and after a fierce bidding war, made available worldwide on Disney Plus in July 2020. It’s now available to stream on Disney Plus.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Book of a Musical - Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • Win for Best Choreographer - Andy Blankenbuehler
  • Win for Best Costume Design - Paul Tazewell
  • Win for Best Director - Thomas Kail
  • Win for Best Orchestrations - Alex Lacamoire
  • Win for Best Original Musical Score - Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • Win for Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Howell Binkley
  • Win for Best Actor in a Musical - Leslie Odom, Jr.
  • Win for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Renée Elise Goldsberry
  • Win for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Daveed Diggs
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Lin-Manuel Miranda
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Phillipa Soo
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Jonathan Groff
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Christopher Jackson
  • Nom for Best Scenic Design - David Korins

Bandstand
A swing musical about Donny Novitzk, a musician who returns from the war, traumatized but with the desire to re-build his life following the death of his best friend. Directed and choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler, and starring Laura Osnes and Corey Cott, the musical played on Broadway in 2017. It was filmed live at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre during its run and broadcast in cinemas across the US. It is not currently available to view, though in the past year has received limited-time screenings on Broadway on Demand and stream.theatre.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Choreographer - Andy Blankenbuehler
  • Nom for Best Orchestrations - Bill Elliott and Greg Anthony Rassen

Miss Saigon
The 25th anniversary gala production of Schönberg and Boublil’s re-telling of Madame Butterfly set in Vietnam was filmed live in the West End in 2014. It was broadcast in cinemas in 2016, becoming the first musical to air in cinemas before its Broadway run. Available to stream on Amazon and BroadwayHD. 

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Eva Noblezada
  • Nom for Best Musical Revival

Falsettos
Lincoln Center’s 2016 revival of William Finn’s musical about family, relationships, bar mivahs, baseball and AIDS. Directed by James Lapine and featuring Stephanie J. Block, Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells, Anthony Rosenthal, Tracie Thoms, Brandon Uranowitz, and Betsy Wolfe, the final performances were filmed live at the Walter Kerr Theatre and later broadcast in cinemas. It’s now available to stream on BroadwayHD and Amazon.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Christian Borle
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Andrew Rannells
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Brandon Uranowitz
  • Nom for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Stephanie J. Block
  • Nom for Best Revival of a Musical

An American in Paris
Based on the MGM film, and featuring a score with the music of George and Ira Gerswhin, Theatre du Chatelet’s stage adaptation tells story of a young American soldier, a beautiful French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. The musical opened on Broadway in 2015, before transferring to the West End in 2017 where it was filmed live. The film received a worldwide cinema release. It’s now available on DVD and Blu-Ray, and to stream on BroadwayHD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Choreography - Christopher Wheeldon
  • Win for Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Natasha Katz
  • Win for Best Orchestrations - Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, Bill Elliott
  • Win for Best Scenic Design - Bob Crowley
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Robert Fairchild
  • Nom for Best Costume Design - Bob Crowley
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Christopher Wheeldon
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Leanne Cope
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Brandon Uranowitz
  • Nom for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Max von Essen
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Craig Lucas
  • Nom for Best Musical

Holiday Inn
A new musical inspired by the 1942 movie of the same name, with a score made up of twenty Irving Berlin songs. Featuring Bryce Pinkham, Corbin Bleu, Lora Lee Gayer, Megan Lawrence, Danny Rutigliano, Megan Sikora, and Morgan Gao, the musical was filmed live at Studio 54 and was the second Broadway musical to be streamed live online. Now available to stream on BroadwayHD.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Denis Jones

Kinky Boots
Cindy Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s musical based on the film about a men’s shoe factory that must pivot its business plan in order to stay afloat. The West End transfer was filmed live in 2018 and released in cinemas. It’s now available to stream on BroadwayHD and Amazon.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Musical
  • Win for Best Actor in a Musical - Billy Porter
  • Win for Best Choreographer - Jerry Mitchell
  • Win for Best Orchestrations - Stephen Oremus
  • Win for Best Original Musical Score - Cyndi Lauper
  • Win for Best Sound Design of a Musical - John Shivers
  • Nom for Best Scenic Design - David Rockwell
  • Nom Best Actor in a Musical - Stark Sands
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Featured Role - Annaleigh Ashford
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Harvey Fierstein
  • Nom for Best Costume Design - Gregg Barnes
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Jerry Mitchell
  • Nom for Best Lighting Design - Kenneth Posner

SpongeBob The Musical
Based on the cartoon, the cult classic favorite directed by Tina Landau opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 2017. Forced to close due to theatre renovations, Nickelodeon flew the entire cast and crew to the UK to film the production during a special performance. The film aired on Nickelodeon and was the number one program across all of children’s television. Now available to stream on Amazon, Apple, and Paramount Plus.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Scenic Design of a Musical - David Zinn
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Musical - Ethan Slater
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Gavin Lee
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Kyle Jarrow
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Christopher Gattelli
  • Nom for Best Costume Design of a Musical - David Zinn
  • Nom for Best Director of a Musical - Tina Landau
  • Nom for Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Kevin Adams
  • Nom for Best Musical
  • Nom for Best Orchestrations - Tom Kitt
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T's, They Might Be Giants, T.I., Domani & Lil'C
  • Nom for Best Sound Design of a Musical - Walter Trarbach and Mike Dobson

Come From Away
The remarkable musical that tells the true stories of 7,000 stranded passengers on 9/11 and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Directed by Christopher Ashley, and featuring a top notch ensemble cast, the musical was filmed live at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre during the Broadway shut down in May 2021. On September 10, 2021 the film was released worldwide on Apple Plus where it's now available on demand.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Director - Christopher Ashley
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Featured Role - Jenn Colella
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Irene Sankoff and Davin Heinn
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Irene Sankoff and David Heinn
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Kelly Devine
  • Nom for Best Lighting Design - Howell Binkley
  • Nom for Best Musical

More to come! Look out for these yet to be released musicals: 
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Aladdin 
Disney's Broadway musical based on the classic animation was filmed live in the West End in 2019. A release date has yet to be announced. 

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Win for Best Featured Actor in a Musical - James Monroe Iglehart 
  • Nom for Best Book of a Musical - Chad Beguelin
  • Nom for Best Choreographer - Casey Nicholaw
  • Nom for Best Musical 
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguelin

Girl From North Country
Set in the heartland of America during the Great Depression, this new musical with a book by Conor McPherson features the music of Bob Dylan. It was filmed live on Broadway at the end of April. A release date has yet to be announced. 

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • The musical is eligible for nomination in the 2021/2022 season.  

Waitress
Sara Bareilles’ delicious musical based on the movie of the same name, and the first Broadway musical to have an all-female core creative team, including director Diane Paulus, choreographer Lorin Latarro, book writer Jessie Nelson, and composer and lyricist Sara Bareilles. The musical first opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in April 2016, playing 1,537 performances before closing in January 2020. The musical re-opened at the Ethel Barrymore for a limited run at the beginning of September 2021, and on September 22 was filmed live (at the same performance, the opening number was livestreamed on TikTok). A release date has yet to be announced.

Tony Nominations/Wins
  • Nom for Best Actress in a Musical - Jessie Mueller
  • Nom for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Christopher Fitzgerald
  • Nom for Best Original Musical Score - Sara Bareilles
  • Nom for Best Musical

Still want MORE Broadway content?! Check out the Filmed Live Musicals database which contains info on over 170 filmed live musicals (and growing!), nearly 40 of which were filmed on Broadway! 
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Ep 39: Bonus Sondheim!

4/13/2022

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On this bonus Sondheim episode, hear extra content from previous chats with historian Margaret Hall about Stephen Sondheim's early life and career. You'll also hear from playwright Caridad Svich, composer Matt Board, and actor John Patrick Sabatos, who shared their memories of watching filmed live Sondheim musicals and why pro-shots are important for musical theatre today.

Margaret Hall is one of the foremost emerging theatre historians of her generation. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama (Musical Theatre) from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, and is currently obtaining her Masters in Musical Theatre History from New York University, Gallatin School of Individualized Study, the first degree of its kind to be granted worldwide. Margaret is currently the Night and Weekend Editor for Playbill.com, in addition to her work as a teacher of musical theatre history. Her first book, Gemignani: Life and Lessons from Broadway and Beyond will be released Spring 2022. Follow @itsmargarethall and sign up for Margaret’s monthly newsletter at www.margaret-hall.com. 
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Pre-order Gemignani: Life and Lessons from Broadway and Beyond (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases from this link).

Caridad Svich - https://caridadsvich.com/
Matt Board - https://soundcloud.com/mattboardcomposer
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Where to Watch: Sondheim

2/28/2022

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In the month of March, Filmed Live Musicals is celebrating Stephen Sondheim! On the podcast, we have a three-part series with musical theatre historian Margaret Hall. Part 1 (Feb 28) is an overview of filmed live Sondheim musicals, part 2 (March 14) will be a deep dive into Pacific Overtures, and part 3 is a deep dive into the 2011 New York Philharmonic production of Company, the musical that inspired this very website! 

To accompany this week's episode on filmed live Sondheim musicals, here’s a list of where you can watch those musicals! 

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn income from qualifying purchases made through these links.

Candide
  • 1986 New York City Opera: not officially available
  • 1988 Scottish Opera: not officially available
  • 1989 Barbican Theatre (conducted by Bernstein): DVD
  • 2004 Lincoln Center concert: DVD

Company
  • 1996 Donmar Warehouse production: was released on DVD, but now appears to be out of print.
  • 2007 Broadway revival: DVD and Blu-Ray
  • 2011 New York Philharmonic concert: DVD

Follies
  • 1985 concert version documentary: DVD
  • 2013 Opera de Toulon production: DVD (Region 2 only)
  • 2017 National Theatre production: Not available beyond its initial cinema release, though Symphony Space in NYC is holding encore cinema screenings March 30 - 31, 2022. 

Gypsy
  • 2015 West End revival: Apple TV, Amazon, DVD

Into the Woods
  • Original Broadway production: Amazon, Blu-Ray, DVD
  • 2010 Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production: Digital Theatre, Apple TV

Merrily We Roll Along
  • 2013 Menier Chocolate Factory production: Digital Theatre (UK only)

Pacific Overtures
  • Original Broadway production: YouTube

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
  • Original Broadway production filmed live on tour in Los Angeles in 1982: Apple TV, Amazon, DVD, BroadwayHD
  • Concert version with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra (2001): DVD and Blu-Ray
  • Concert version with the New York Philharmonic (2014): Not officially available

Passion
  • Original Broadway production filmed for American Playhouse: DVD
  • Lincoln Center concert version: not officially available

Putting it Together
  • Original Broadway production: Apple TV, DVD, BroadwayHD

Sunday in the Park with George
  • Original Broadway production: Apple TV, DVD,
  • Theatre du Chatelet (2013): not officially available

In 2015 Image Entertainment released the Stephen Sondheim Collection, a 6-disc DVD collection of Sondheim’s work including Into the Woods (1990), Company (2011), Sunday in the Park with George (1986), Follies in Concert (1985), Sweeney Todd (2001), and Sondheim: The Birthday (2010), though it appears to currently be out of print.

You can learn more about all of the above musicals in the Filmed Live Musicals database. There are more to be added, including the 1994 National Theatre and 1995 Barcelona productions of Sweeney Todd. Know of other filmed live Sondheim recordings? Send us an email! Remember, to be included in the database, a musical must have been legally filmed in front of a live audience, and made available to the general public. 

Happy watching! 
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