Tag: theater

Death Becomes Her—Musical Comedy Revitalized

What if you could live forever . . . but so could your worst enemy? This is the premise of the cult classic film Death Becomes Her, which has recently been adapted for Broadway! The 1992 black comedy film, starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, is celebrated for its high camp and ridiculous violence as the two ruthless rivals wreak havoc on each other’s immortal bodies as they fight over the same man. The new musical adapts the story for both the stage and the twenty-first century. I got the chance to see it in previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre earlier this month and was absolutely delighted! The show officially opens this Thursday, November 21.

Death Becomes Her: Musical Comedy Revitalized official poster, showing Madeline and Helen with their iconic injuries Continue reading Death Becomes Her—Musical Comedy Revitalized

Gothic Novels as Broadway Musicals

There’s just something about the aesthetics and melodrama of the Gothic that lends itself so well to the stage. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that more than a few classic Gothic novels have been adapted into modern pieces of musical theater—and often quite successfully! Below are some well-known and lesser known examples of Gothic adaptations that have been performed under the bright lights of Broadway: Continue reading Gothic Novels as Broadway Musicals

Classic Stage Company’s Dracula—A Feminist Adaptation

I love a good stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel, Dracula. After all, Stoker worked in theater for much of his life, and always intended for his charismatic Count to take the stage. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing a particularly unique performance of Dracula adapted by Kate Hamill for the Classic Stage Company in New York City. Hamill makes significant revisions to the source material in order to transform Dracula into a feminist revenge fantasy by centering the female characters and confronting the sexism in Stoker’s original.

Photo of Van Helsing attacking Dracula
Jessica Frances Dukes as Van Helsing and Matthew Amendt as the titular vampire in Dracula (Photo: Joan Marcus)

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Go See Beetlejuice the Musical Before It Closes!

If you haven’t yet heard, Tim Burton’s beloved comedy-horror film Beetlejuice has recently been made into a Broadway musical. It opened at the Winter Garden Theatre back in April and, despite initial mixed reviews, has since become a surprise hit and one of the most popular shows of the season! The production stars Alex Brightman as the mischievous spirit Beetlejuice and Sophia Anne Caruso as the young protagonist Lydia Deetz, with lyrics and music by Eddie Perfect. In spite of the show’s popularity, the producers recently announced that it will be closing this summer to make room for The Music Man. The final Broadway production will be on June 6, and there are plans to launch a national tour in 2021. But if you’re able to get to New York City within the next six months, I highly recommend you go see it before it closes! I saw the show right when it opened back in April and absolutely loved it. Read on for my thoughts: Continue reading Go See Beetlejuice the Musical Before It Closes!

Dracula, Performed

Dracula was always meant to be adapted to the stage. At the time that he wrote his most famous novel, Bram Stoker was working as the business manager for the Lyceum Theatre in London, owned by his friend, the renowned actor Henry Irving. Irving’s performances were often dark and dramatic, and he was best known for playing charismatic villains. It’s even been suggested that he partially inspired the appearance and personality of the Count in Stoker’s novel. Thus, it should come as no surprise that when Stoker finished his masterpiece, he envisioned Irving playing the titular character in a stage adaptation. He even drafted a script and ran through a staged reading of Dracula, or The Undead at the Lyceum, afterwards eagerly asking Irving what he thought. Irving’s answer, however, shut down any hopes Stoker had for his stage production: he summed up his opinion in one word: “Dreadful.”

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Dorian Gray: The Musical, a NYMF Production

Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray took on new life this summer in a musical adaptation as part of the New York Musical Festival. NYMF is a three-week annual festival that seeks to shine the spotlight on new works, many of which go on to perform Off-Broadway, and some even make it to the Great White Way! Dorian Gray: The Musical began as a graduate thesis project for playwright Christopher Dayett, with music arranged by Kevin Mucchetti. Last week, the beta musical appeared in three showings at the Acorn Theater. Director Christen Mandracchia invited me to attend a performance and share my opinion on the show. Continue reading Dorian Gray: The Musical, a NYMF Production