 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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Host Luisa Lyons chats with the person who inspired the entire Filmed Live Musicals project, Ellen M. Krass!
Ellen M. Krass is the Emmy award winning producer behind the live captures of The Robber Bridegroom, Little Johnny Jones, Follies in Concert, Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn, Sweeney Todd with the San Francisco Philharmonic, Candide with the New York Philharmonic, the Broadway revival of Company starring Raul Esparza, Sondheim The Birthday Concert, Company with the New York Philharmonic starring Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert et al., Gypsy Live from the Savoy starring Imelda Staunton, and the Broadway revival of She Loves Me, which was the first Broadway musical to be livestreamed online. Ellen shares her insights into her historic journey working in film and television, and filming live theatre for the screen. Visit the Filmed Live Musicals database to learn where to watch all the musicals that Ellen has produced! 
This Week On the Calendar
Ride the Cyclone Two different productions of the cult favorite musical about 6 teens in a chamber choir whose lives are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. Fifty Key stage Musicals The Routledge Key Guide book in concert! Gilbert & Sullivan Festival Catch 9 G&S productions streaming from the 29th International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. Factotum Stream a new opera for free from the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Midnight Gang A special one for the kids from London’s inclusive theatre company Chickenshed. Come to the Cabaret Catch Broadway performers such as Ann Hampton Callaway, Stephanie Torns, Caroline Illiff, and Jonathan Hoover performing their signature cabarets. And more!
A Strange Loop Filmed in London
Although not yet confirmed by the production, it was announced on Twitter/X this week that the West End transfer of Michael R. Jackson’s “big, Black and queer-ass American Broadway show” has been filmed in London. Hamilton The mega-hit musical Hamilton has announced two partnerships this week that extend the musicals reach into the virtual world and onto the pickleball court.
Hamilton Simulator
The musical has paired with gaming company Super League and Small World Games to release a new immersive digital experience which allows players to step in to the world of the musical, and American history. The game commences on a ship arriving at the Old New York Docks, and users can unlock collectible versions of Hamilton characters that become companions on their journey, rapping, singing, and going head-to-head with adversaries as they go deeper into the narrative world brought to life on Broadway. The Hamilton Simulator is available for free on Roblox. Hamilton Pickleball Paddles Pickleball — a hybrid of tennis, ping-pong and badminton — has been around since the 1960s and has been named the fastest growing sport by The Sports & Fitness Industry Association three years running, can now be played with USA Pickleball Association-approved paddles! To celebrate National Pickleball Day on August 8, Hamilton announced a partnership with the female-led Nettie, a company specializing in pickleball gear, and released a Hamilton emblazoned paddle featuring the quote “I’m not throwing away my shot.” Paddles are available for $99.99 from Hamilton and Nettie. NOW FREE: A Spotlight On Launched earlier in 2023, the British platform features interviews, shorts, documentaries, performances, and masterclasses. Most content is now freely available, with additional content available via a premium subscription. More info and access via A Spotlight On. Back to the Future on Good Morning America
To celebrate the opening of the West End musical on Broadway, the cast of Back to the Future performed “The Power of Love” and “Back in Time” on Good Morning America.
TOP OF THE UNIVERSE: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - “Subspace Rhapsody” According to Screen Rant, the soundtrack for Star Trek’s first musical episode topped the iTunes streaming charts after its release, charting at #1 in the Top 100 Soundtracks and #3 Top 100 Albums. The soundtrack features music and lyrics by Letters To Cleo's Kay Hanley and Tom Polce (the latter of whom also wrote for Crazy Ex Girlfriend). “Subspace Rhapsody” is available to stream via Apple. Stage Access & ReachTV The streaming platform Stage Access has partnered with travel entertainment provider ReachTV to broadcast opera, ballet, and concerts in airports and hotel rooms across the United States. 
This week in Filmed Live Musicals news:
?️ Streaming this week ? New book alert! ?♀️ The Little Mermaid now streaming ? Star Trek musical episode ? Support Filmed Live Musicals with a tax-deductible donation
This page contains 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.
Streaming This Week
?Go To the Festival There are a plethora of shows that will be available to stream from the Edinburgh Fringe. Make sure to check out Castle Gillian, the world’s first full-length virtual reality musical by Victor Kazan and Kevin Purcell (there are several ways to enjoy this musical - no VR headset required!). The She NYC Arts Festival are also streaming the majority of their productions including two new musicals - Chasing Grace, a meta-musical about learning to love your younger self and 0874: A Filipino-American Love Story of the composer’s grandparents told through 847 love letters. Also check out Moss Maidens, a play inspired by the true events of a group of teenage girls who flirted with Nazis, lured them into the woods for a romantic walk, and murdered them. Today is also your last chance to stream new musicals from The Orlando DigiFringe on demand. ? More New Musicals Discover The Death of the Living Club, a new musical inspired by the apocalypse and video games, or re-live the off-Broadway musical We Are the Tigers when the cast reunites at 54 Below! ? Come to the Cabaret Enjoy a night of Sondheim Unplugged, check out debut shows for several up-and-coming artists, and see the Broadway Matildas all grown up in Matildapalooza! ? Broadway in ASL Catch of some NYCs most talented Deaf Artists performing poetry and Broadway hits to benefit Deaf Austin Theatre’s fall production of The Laramie Project, and if you’re in NYC see Deaf Broadway performing Company to the 2011 New York Philharmonic concert production for free at Lincoln Center! Learn where you can watch these musicals and more in the streaming calendar! ? New Book Alert - Out For Blood: A Cultural History of Carrie the Musical In 1988, following the success of its production of Les Misérables and in the wake of the commercial success of mega-musicals such as Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Chess, the Royal Shakespeare Company agreed to co-produce a musical based on Stephen King's Carrie, written by the team behind Fame. The result was one of Broadway's most infamous disasters. Plagued by technical problems, on-stage chaos and a critical savaging, Carrie would soon become the by-word for musical theatre flops. But thanks to the efforts of a vocal army of fans and the impact of bootleg trading and emerging online communities, the show reinvented itself as a mainstream success story with thousands of productions worldwide. Featuring contributions from over eighty original cast members, creatives, crew and audience members, Out For Blood pieces together the surprising, hilarious and often-moving inside story of Carrie The Musical to discover how this 'horror of a Broadway musical' lived, died and was subsequently resurrected as a mainstream success story. Available via Amazon and Bookshop.org. ?♀️ The Little Mermaid
The new live action film starring Halle Bailey is now available to stream on Apple TV, Prime Video, and Vudu/Fandango. The film will also be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD from September 19, 2023.
? Star Trek Musical Episode!
Trekkie fans rejoice! For the first time in the series franchise, a musical episode! The episode features 10 original songs by Letters to Cleo musicians Kay Hanley and Tom Polce. Polce also wrote for Crazy Ex Girlfriend. Airs on Paramount Plus on August 3, 2023.
? Support Filmed Live Musicals with a tax-deductible donation! Would you like to help preserve the history of filmed stage musicals and the curation of one easy place to find them all? You can now make a tax deductible donation to Filmed Live Musicals via The Field! Filmed Live Musicals is a sponsored artist with The Performance Zone Inc (dba The Field), a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization serving the performing arts community. Contributions to The Field earmarked for Filmed Live Musicals are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information about The Field, or for our national charities registration, contact: The Field, 225 West 34th St. Floor 9 New York, NY 10122, phone: 212-691-6969. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained from The Field or from the Office of Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Visit www.filmedlivemusicals.com to learn more, and learn how you can also support the site for free! 
Jay Cruz & IFT Network
Host Luisa Lyons chats with Jay Cruz, entrepreneur, marketing executive, and CEO & founder of the Indie Film Theater Network, or IFT Network.
Jay shares his journey to working in the world of theatre, IFT’s three pronged approach to streaming theatre — including a writing room, production and marketing, and streaming — and insights into the making of filmed theatre. Jay Cruz is an Award Winning Advertising Marketing Executive (ADWEEK: HBO 2010), and Customer Service Expert. He has produced Independent Films, Off-Broadway Theater, and Various Themed Shows and Live Events. As the CEO/Founder of IFT Network, Jay is dedicated to empowering Independent Filmmakers & Theater Producers around the globe. “My passion is creating new and exciting original experiences, while creating opportunities for diverse, and talented people.” Show Links: IFTNetwork.com YouTube 
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.” 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.
 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!  I've been researching filmed live musicals for close to a decade now. Pre-pandemic we were lucky to get 1 or 2 releases a year, now it seems like they're being released every other week! Here is a list of filmed stage musicals from Broadway and beyond to look forward to watching at home before the year is out. November Wuthering Heights (Nov 7) Wise Children’s rocking re-telling of the Brontë novel was released on SkyArts this week (only available in the UK). Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Nov 17 & Dec 1) Shotgun Players in California will be livestreaming their production of Dave Malloy’s gorgeous musical (only available to watch within California). Much Ado About Nothing (Nov 22) The Public Theater’s production filmed live at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park will re-air on Great Performances. December Mr Saturday Night The Broadway musical adaptation of the 1992 movie starring Billy Crystal was filmed live during its run in 2022. It will be available to stream on BroadwayHD from Dec 1. Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (Dec 15) Billed as an animated/live-action hybrid event, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will be performed live on ABC in honor of the film’s 30th anniversary. Produced my Jon M. Chu, current cast members include H.E.R (Belle), Josh Groban (Beast), Joshua Henry (Gaston), Rita Moreno (Narrator), Martin Short (Lumiere), Shania Twain (Mrs. Potts), David Alan Grier (Cogsworth), Rizwan Job Briones (Maurice), and Leo Abelo Perry (Chip). It will be available to stream on Dec 16. Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl (Dec 28) Two live concerts on November 11-12 featuring an 80-person orchestra, 50 dancers, and songs from the Disney movie Encanto will be filmed live and released on Disney Plus. DATES TBA Audra McDonald Sings the Great American Songbook Audra McDonald’s sold-out September concert at the Palladium in London was filmed live for later release. If the buzz on Twitter after the concert is anything to go by, this will be one not to miss. Aladdin Disney's Broadway musical based on the classic animation was filmed live in the West End in 2019. Bonnie and Clyde A concert production featuring Jeremy Jordan and Frances Mayli McCann was filmed live in the West End in January of this year. Children of Eden A staged concert production of Stephen Schwartz and John Caird’s musical was filmed live at Chicago’s Cadillac Theatre in mid-October. Emojiland After the national tour of the off-Broadway musical was suddenly cancelled after just one night in early June, a special performance was filmed live at the Palace Theatre in Columbus, Ohio. 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. Jersey Boys Live Helmed by the original Broadway director Des McAnuff and filmed live in at the Playhouse Square Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio in the summer of 2021. The Prince of Egypt The DreamWorks musical was filmed live in the West End at the end of 2021. SIX The West End production of the feisty pop musical about the six wives of Henry VIII was filmed live over the summer. A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant LIVE! Kyle Jarrow's satiric musical was filmed live at the 14th St Y under the direction of Sean Pollock on November 5, 2022. It will be released on the newly launched Indie Film Theater Network (IFT Network). Waitress Sara Bareilles’ delicious musical based on the movie of the same name, was filmed live on September 22, 2021. The opening number of that performance was also livestreamed on TikTok. Want to be in the know of what filmed stage musicals are streaming? Sign up to have our weekly newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday! Updated Nov 15, 2022.
 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.
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
 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)
Girl from the North Country (2022)
Six (2022)
Plays Clyde’s (2022)
The Lehman Trilogy (2019)
Filmed Live Musicals An American in Paris (2017)
Anything Goes (2021)
Cabaret (1993)
Candide (2004)
Carousel (2013)
Come From Away -
Contact (2002)
Company (1996)
Company (2011)
The Cradle Will Rock (1986)
FELA! (2011)
Fosse (2001)
Hamilton (2016)
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (2018)
The King and I
The Last Five Years (2020)
The Light in the Piazza (2006)
Little Women (2021)
Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary
Love Never Dies
Newsies
Oklahoma! (1998)
Passing Strange (2008)
Passion (2005)
Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall (2011)
She Loves Me -
Shrek the Musical
Smokey Joe’s Cafe (2000)
South Pacific (2010)
Spongebob The Musical (2019)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Live in Concert -
Taboo
The Wiz Live! (2015)
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