Musical Theatre Podcast Episode 16 – Some Thoughts on Movie Musicals
Smart and safe travellers know to wash their hands, follow all local health guidelines, and get vaccinated for any illnesses to help the most vulnerable in our communities.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link you’re helping to support this website at no additional cost to yourself. Thanks for your support.
Episode 16 of the Take Me To The World Musical Theatre Podcast is a short episode where I give some thoughts on the future movie musicals, including a few I watched this year. While this episode discusses In The Heights, Inside, Hamilton and tick, tick… BOOM! there are no spoilers for these shows in this episode.
As mentioned at the beginning I wasn’t feeling good (though it’s not Covid; I got the test results after recording this episode) so if I sound a bit out of it that might be why.
Episodes related to this one that you might want to check out include Episode 4, which is all about movie musicals and Episode 5, where I talk about seeing Hamilton in London
Where to Listen to Episode 16?
If you haven’t heard it yet you can listen to Episode 16 on Podcasts.com
You can also listen and subscribe to the Take Me To The World Musical Theatre Podcast on the following websites/apps
Deezer
Google Play
iTunes
Podvine
Spotify
Stitcher
Tune In
Resources – Music
This has links (mostly on Deezer, unless otherwise stated) to the cast recordings/soundtracks that I mentioned in this podcast, as well as to some musical playlists.
It’s Broadway, Bitch – Deezer Playlist. This has over 1700 songs from different musicals I’ve either seen or have listened to obsessively. Most of the playlist is from stage musicals, but I have a few movie musicals and musical TV shows on here as well. Albums are in random order. Some songs contain strong language and subject matter, so listener discretion is advised.
Sounds of Broadway. This is an online radio station with over 4600 songs from 560 different musicals. It’s a fun way to listen to musicals you know and discover some musicals you may have never heard of before. The station also has a great weekly podcast about musicals.
Inside: The Songs (2021 Movie Soundtrack)
In The Heights (2008 Original Broadway Cast)
In The Heights (2021 Movie Soundtrack)
Hamilton (2015 Original Broadway Cast)
Rent (1996 Original Broadway Cast – Highlights)
tick, tick… BOOM! (2001 Off-Broadway Cast)
tick, tick… BOOM! (2021 Movie Soundtrack)
Resources – Videos
These are links on Just Watch (unless otherwise noted) for the movie musicals I mentioned in this episode.
Bo Burnham: Inside (2021 Movie)
Hamilton (2020 Filmed Stage Movie)
Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway (2008 Filmed Stage Movie)
tick, tick… BOOM! (2021 Movie)
Youtube Video by Kevin Lynch about the worst musicals of 2021. This was the video that inspired this podcast episode.
YouTube Video by Howard Ho about Jonathan Larson and Stephen Sondheim
Resources – Streaming Platforms
As well in this episode I talk about watching movies on streaming platforms. I am not affiliated with any of these services, but each has some movie musicals available on them (particularly Broadway HD). Content may vary by region. Listed in alphabetical order.
Broadway HD. Has several pro shots stage musicals, plays and other theatre. Offers a free 7-day trial then $11.99 (US) per month after that.
Crave (Canada Only). While I watched In The Heights in the theatre it’s available on Crave. There isn’t much for musicals on here (they do have concerts and other movies). You can get a 7-day trial and then it’s $9.99/month after (that price is only for streaming on mobile devices).
Disney+. It’s $11.99, and the mouse don’t offer a free trial. I signed up for $1.99 for the first month because of Disney Days? (this was around Black Friday, so I don’t believe the offer is still on). This is where I watched the pro shot of Hamilton.
Hoopla Digital. This an online library of music, movies, shows and books that you may have access to if you have a library card. Most library cards are free to get or quite inexpensive. Once you get a library card check to see if you have access to Hoopla. There isn’t much on here for musicals but did watch a great 2015 pro shot of Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton and Laura Pulver.
Netflix. Like Disney there’s no free trial. Plans start at $8.99/month. This is where you can watch Bo Burnham: Inside and tick, tick…BOOM!
Prime Video. Included if you have Amazon Prime. If not you can get a afree 30 day trial and then $7.99/month after. Prime has videos available for streaming with the subscription, but also movies not included that you can buy/rent. Just double check before buying.
Of course there are other streaming services available. I recommended looking at the selection of movie musicals on each by going to Just Watch (select Music and Musicals in the genre category to see what’s available).
Resources – Websites and Apps
Reddit Musicals and Reddit Musical Theatre. Both of these subreddits are great places to go if you want to talk about musicals, get tips (if you’re a performer), and to get recommendations on shows to check out.
Broadway Musical Home. This is a great resource for anyone who loves musicals. They have an alphabetical list of over 300 musicals, and you can look up musicals by different categories like “based on a book” and “based on real life.” For anyone or any theatre company looking to put on a musical, you can check out the Rights page, which has information on where to get the rights to put on a variety of musicals.
Playbill has a listing for shows (musicals and plays) in New York, London and National Tours.
Today Tix has an App for both iOS and Android. You can use the app to buy cheap, same-day tickets for shows in cities like New York, London, Toronto, Chicago, and several others. I used this app with great success in London and highly recommend it.
Use the Code JGZYL to save £10 (or $10) on your first order with Today Tix.
Do you think movie musicals still need a theatrical release? What’s a movie musical you recommend?