Live TV musicals are all the rage lately, and we’re all for it! Since 2013’s “The Sound of Music Live!” with Carrie Underwood on NBC, the peacock network has been dishing out musicals annually with “Peter Pan” and “The Wiz.” And now Fox joined the fun with “Grease: Live.” Who knows what's next?! We drummed up some of our dream stage-to-screen adaptations below. What’s on your list?
“Rent”
Between the 2005 Chris Columbus film adaptation and the 2009 final Broadway bow DVD recording, this record-breaking rock musical from the late Jonathan Larson has already been exhaustively adapted for the screen. But wouldn’t it be great to see today’s buzziest young stars take on pop rock classics? Rachel Bloom as Maureen? Chris Colfer as Angel? 5 Seconds of Summer star Luke Hemmings for Roger? Sign us up!
“Aida”
This ancient Egypt-set musical about star-crossed lovers often flies under the radar, but it’s got an excellent pop-leaning soundtrack from Elton John and Tim Rice, a large and diverse cast, and incredible sets. “Aida” on TV? Well it’s practically…written in the stars.
“Annie”
Last year’s modernized remake with Quvenzhané Wallis was a misstep to most, but when done right, this classic musical about an orphan with a dog and a dream is fun for the whole family and features a cast of some of the most fun characters to ever hit the stage.
“Guys and Dolls”
This musical is mostly remembered for its 1955 film adaptation starring Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, and Vivian Blaine—talk about #SquadGoals! In its depiction of old school New York and the gambling underground, the show bleeds cool, and it’s got the suits and skirts to match. In our dream cast, we’ve little doubt that Oscar Isaac as Sky Masterson could give Brando a run for his money.
“Hairspray”
It’s already been widely reported that “Hairspray” is up next for NBC’s live musical series, and it truly is the perfect pick! Between its stuffed set of one sing-along showstopper after another and its lasting, timely-as-ever exploration of race relations in the U.S., you can’t stop the beat of this Tony-winning blockbuster.
“Mamma Mia!”
How could we resist this?! The longest-running jukebox musical on Broadway may have just done its final “Dancing Queen” in the Big Apple last fall, but it remains one of the most euphoric, dance-in-the-aisle shows of its time. Its cast allows for both stage and screen vets and spotlight-ready newcomers to have us singing and dancing along from the comfort of our living rooms.
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