It Takes a Woman

Image by Marco_Polo

To celebrate International Women’s Day, here is a list of filmed live musicals featuring female creative teams. Click on the titles to learn more about each show!

Ernest Shackleton Loves Me (2017)

• director: Lisa Peterson​
• producer: Bonnie Comley
• lyrics: Val Vigoda
• costume design: Chelsea Cook
• stage manager: Lucy Kennedy
• A multimedia musical performed and captured live during its Off-Broadway run at Second Stage in New York. Available to view on BroadwayHD.

From Here to Eternity (2014)

• director: Tamara Harvey
• A musical based on the novel of the same name. Filmed live during its West End run and released in cinemas. Now available to view on BroadwayHD and on DVD. ​

Merrily We Roll Along (2012)

• director: Maria Friedman
• producer: Debbie Bindo, Sonia Friedman, Tanya Bink
• scenic & costume design: Soutra Gilmour
• musical director: Catherine Jayes
• The Menier Chocolate Factory’s smash hit 2012 production. Filmed by Digital Theatre, and released in cinemas and online. Not currently available to view. ​

Bad Girls The Musical (2007)

• director: Maggie Norris
• producer: Kath Gotts, Maggie Norris
• book: Ann McManus, Maureen Chadwick
• stage manager: Sheena Linden
• Based on the British television Bad Girls, the musical was filmed live on the West End and is available to view on Amazon and Vimeo. ​

Legally Blonde the Musical (2007)

• director: Beth McCarthy Miller
• producer: Barbra Danov
• Musical version of the hit movie. Broadcast live on MTV during its Broadway run. Not officially available to view. ​

Contact (2002)

• director: Susan Stroman
• A “dance play” conceived, choreographed, and directed by Susan Stroman. The final Broadway performance was aired on PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center. Not currently available to view. ​

A Tale of Cinderella (1995)

• director: Patricia Di Benedetto
• stage manager: Heather Hazelton Hamelin
• An “Italian-flavored” version of Cinderella performed at the New York State Theatre Institute. Taped live by PBS, and now available on DVD. ​

When Hell Freezes Over I’ll Skate (1979)

• director: Vinnette Carroll
• Musical featuring poetry by people of color set to music. Conceived and directed by trailblazer Vinnette Carroll. Taped live and aired on Channel 13’s Theater in America. Now available on DVD. ​

The Heart's a Wonder (1958)

• book: Mairin O’Farrell, Naula O’Farrell
• music: Maria Duane
• choreography: Josie McAvin, Patricia Ryan
• A popular musical based on the play The Playboy of the Western World. During its West End run, the BBC aired excerpts from the show on live television. The live broadcast was not recorded and is not available to view. ​