London is easily one of the world’s most popular cities, boasting a diverse population of individuals from across the globe. One of the most iconic destinations in the British capital is the West End. Recognized as one of the leading theatre districts in the world, the West End is home to many different theatres and entertainment venues. For tourists and local residents alike, exploring the West End is an exciting adventure that simply should not be overlooked.

Live theatre Read the rest of this entry »

The concept of basing Broadway shows off of movies goes back years, but it didn’t start really taking off as a trend until Beauty and the Beast opened in 1993 and The Lion King in 1997. Both were hugely successful, and while other Disney movies have been adapted to the stage, including The Little Mermaid, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and Newsies, those initial two were most well-known.

The Producers was a hugely successful Broadway musical based on a movie. Mel Brooks, the writer of the original movie, adapted the Broadway musical as well. He turned out to be quite a good songwriter, and the show ran for six years. A movie version was released in 2005, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, who originated the roles on Broadway.

The original movie Hairspray was less well known, but it became a huge hit on Broadway, winning eight Tony Awards and running for seven years. In 2007, this musical also got a movie adaptation. In every version, the role of Tracy’s mother, Edna Turnblad, is played by a man. Divine was in the original movie, Harvey Fierstein originated the Broadway role, and John Travolta took on the musical movie role.

Since Disney, The Producers, and Hairspray, there have been musical versions of nearly every movie you can think of. Some have done very well. The musical adaptation of Legally Blonde became a cult hit and spread across the country, being performed at high schools and colleges everywhere. David Yazbek’s adaptation of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels earned a Tony Award for its star, Norbert Leo Butz.

Other musical movie adaptations have not fared so well. Yazbek’s other movie adaptations, The Full Monty and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, have faded into obscurity. Musical versions of Elf, The Women of Eastwick, and High Fidelity were poorly received.

Musical adaptations of movies invite audiences to see familiar stories. In a difficult economy, Broadway needs all the help it can get to bring people in. These musicals aren’t going away any time soon. Your favorite movie could be next to make it to the stage. Or your favorite musical from Broadway could make it to TV on www.directstartv.com. Either way, movies and Broadway go hand in hand.

Musicals are loved by theatergoers since they are not only entertaining, but also move audiences. The following are the top 10 musicals ever produced.
1. Lion King
This musical was made in 1997 and was an adaptation of the animated film with the same name from Disney. It debuted in the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1999 and is still being exhibited there. The musical scenes are simple, but tell a remarkable story.
2. Glee
Produced in 2004, this musical tells a story of high school Spanish teacher, who hopes to restore the Glee club in the school to its past Read the rest of this entry »

Theater is not just for adults. It is something children of all ages can enjoy. Exposing children to theatrical arts at an early age has many advantages. Studies have shown children exposed to the arts are better learners than their counterparts. Theater opens their minds to something unique. They get to see their favorite characters come to life right before them. This stimulates their brain. They become more curious and more imaginative.

That being said, if you are taking your child to a Broadway show you will want to take them to Read the rest of this entry »

There are many lovely, romantic shows currently playing on Broadway that would make a great date night for any couple. A classic like Phantom of the Opera is a must-see; with its love triangle and romantic Opera House setting, this story of desperation and heartbreak tugs at the heartstrings and will bring any couple closer. Wicked, a more contemporary classic, shows what happened to the Wicked Witch of the West, of the story of the Wizard of Oz, Read the rest of this entry »

Arthur Miller was born in 1915 and passed away in 2005. He was an accomplished American playwright and is known for his diverse writing career of stage, radio, and screen plays. He was also married to the infamous Marilyn Monroe and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949. Clearly, this is a man with an impressive resume to boast.

Miller is mainly known for his stage plays. The most popular of these is Death of a Salesman which details the struggles Read the rest of this entry »

For many who are fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well as those who have heard a lot about it but have yet to see the film, the question often arises, how did the film achieve such high cult status? There are quite a few fans who would never question the details of the film’s rise to fame; but for some of us, questions such as this are what keep the fires burning for cult classics.

The more inquiries regarding the nature of the film’s hype, the more attention Read the rest of this entry »