The recent news that the long-awaited Wicked musical is finally coming to the big screen -- in the form of two movies, no less -- revitalized audiences' interest in famous musicals that still lack cinematic adaptations. Over the years, the stage has provided some of the most unforgettable musicals -- The Sound of Music, Chicago, Cabaret --, and their respective big-screen adaptations rank among some of the most iconic movies ever made.
However, several musicals have critical acclaim and a special place in fans' hearts, but, for whatever reason, they still haven't crossed over to Hollywood.
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812
The sung-through musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 adapts Part 8 of Leo Tolstoy's seminal novel War and Peace. The story mainly focuses on Natasha Rostova's affair with Anatole Kuragin and Pierre Bezukhov's depression and search for meaning.
Because of its cultural relevance, War and Peace has received numerous film and television adaptations over the years. However, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 neglects the novel's grand storytelling in favor of a more focused episode in the lives of Natasha and Pierre. The film would have luscious production values to recreate Imperial Russia and provide The Gilded Age's Denée Benton -- who played Natasha on Broadway -- with the perfect opportunity to enter the big screen.
The Boy From Oz
Based on the life and career of singer and songwriter Peter Allen, The Boy from Oz is a jukebox musical that opened on Broadway in 2003. It starred Hugh Jackman in the title role and earned him a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, meaning he is only one Oscar away from completing his EGOT.
Jukebox musicals like Moulin Rouge!, Mamma Mia!, and Rocketman paved the way for a property like The Boy From Oz to succeed on the big screen. The role of Allen would be a great vehicle for a young actor, and the adaptation would expose Allen's music to a wider and more diverse audience.
Pippin
One of the most innovative musicals of the 70s, Pippin follows a mysterious performance troupe, led by the enigmatic and charismatic Leading Player, as they recount the story of Pippin, a young prince searching for his place in medieval England.
Pippin introduced the musical theater staples "Magic to Do" and "Corner of the Sky," two numbers that would translate extremely well to the screen. Furthermore, the role of the Leading Player would be a great opportunity for a seasoned performer to flex their vocal chops, while the part of Pippin could launch any young actor's career. The Weinstein Company held the rights to Pippin for a long time, but they went back to composer Stephen Schwartz following Weinstein's scandal, which led to the company's bankruptcy.
Next To Normal
Next to Normal is a rock musical that premiered on Broadway in 2008. The plot follows a family dealing with the mother's deteriorating mental health, who struggles with bipolar disorder. Next to Normal is famous for dealing with delicate issues like depression, substance abuse, and grief.
Many television shows and films deal with storylines exploring mental health, especially now that the subject has become less taboo in the mainstream. Next to Normal would be another worthy addition to this increasingly honest landscape, exploring bipolar and depression from a place of genuine empathy and understanding.
Avenue Q
Notorious for its unconventional staging and for famously beating Wicked for Best Musical at the 2004 Tony Awards, Avenue Q is a comedy that features human performers and puppets. The show centers on three characters trying to find their way in New York City and deals with themes of racism, homophobia, and classism.
Like the best musical coming-of-age movies and tv shows, Avenue Q is subversive, refreshing, and mixes hefty themes with vibrant and catchy music. The show, which is a clear satire on Sesame Street, would make for a biting and unapologetic film, joining the likes of The Favourite and Sorry to Bother You as modern-day black comedy classics.
The Book Of Mormon
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone's satire of the practices and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints premiered on Broadway in 2011 to critical and commercial acclaim. The story follows two missionaries sent to preach their faith to a remote Ugandan village terrorized by a brutal warlord.
The Book of Mormon's overwhelming success makes it ripe for a big-screen adaptation. The show turned Andrew Rannells into a star and could easily do the same for any young actor who played the leading role of Elder Price. The film might attract some controversy, but if the show survived it, the film can too.
Hamilton
A revisionist version of Alexander Hamilton's story, Hamilton was a smash hit from the moment it opened on Broadway in August 2015. The show became an instant sensation, elevating Lin Manuel Miranda into the A-list and launching the careers of several of its cast members.
A filmed version of the play exists on Disney+, but a big-screen adaptation has yet to happen. Hamilton is full of memorable quotes and iconic songs that would translate incredibly into the silver screen, and most of the original cast could easily reprise their roles, including Miranda. A film adaptation will happen sooner rather than later.
Spring Awakening
The original Broadway production of Spring Awakening premiered in 2006, receiving universal praise from critics and audiences. The show launched the careers of its three leads, Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, and John Galagher Jr., and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
A film adaptation has remained largely unrealized, however. There were rumors that it would happen around 2014, with composer Duncan Sheik stating it would include a new song; however, there have been no developments for eight years now. Spring Awakening's use of deaf casts in recent stagings would also make for a wonderful chance to include deaf actors in the film adaptation. The recent release of the HBO Max reunion documentary might spark interest in the show again, and a film adaptation might be closer than ever.
Company
Company might arguably be Stephen Sondheim's most iconic musical. The show centers on Robert, a man with commitment issues on the cusp of his thirty-fifth birthday. Company is a concept musical composed of short vignettes without chronological order, mainly presented from Bobby's POV.
The plot might sound like a tough sell, and the show's large cast might be hard to juggle on film. Still, a big-screen adaptation of Sondheim's iconic musical is long overdue. The roles of Bobby and Joanne would be highly sought-after in Hollywood and might even result in Oscar nominations for whoever plays them.