Movie adaptations are a box office hit with films like “Wicked” and “Dear Evan Hansen,” bringing beloved musicals to a wider audience. Many applaud this shift to the big screen, as it makes musical theater more accessible than ever. Some, however, are less than impressed. They worry that the film versions are overshadowing the irreplaceable magic of live performance. Or, perhaps, they mean it’s not an exclusive experience anymore.
Recently, movie musicals have exploded in popularity. Performances like “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” have reached worldwide audiences through cinemas and streaming platforms. It gives people a ticket into the theater without the barriers of location or high costs. The film adaptations also offer a more polished and streamlined way of storytelling, drawing in new and younger audiences. The theater world should be excited – so why are so many of them disappointed?
These critics argue that the production of live performance is something no screen could recreate. They cite the electric energy that fills a stage and the unparalleled, unforgettable experience it delivers. As these movie musicals gain popularity, theater lovers worry that it will pull audiences away from live performance – putting live performers out of jobs for their celebrity counterparts.
Others fear that the polished storytelling will reset expectations for perfection from live performance. Movies can take hundreds of reshoots, while live only gets one chance. Live shows are about that raw unpredictability and movies make it about flashy production. They fear that the movies are diluting the real beauty as a trade off for accessibility.
But, perhaps, what they are fearful of is the accessibility. Theater was once an activity not everyone had the means to enjoy – one for the affluent with more time and more money. As more movie versions are made, more people can enjoy them, resulting in a loss of allure for that elite class. But more availability doesn’t take away from the heart of performance.
Theater should be for everyone, and although movies might never capture the sparkle of performance, maybe they can create a different kind of beauty.
