Best Screen-To-Stage Adaptations

31st May 2017

It used to be the trend to turn successful plays into movies. This can be seen from big hits like “Chicago,” “Les Miserables” and “Romeo and Juliet.” But now, the theater is booming and the trend has been flipped. You now can find some of your favorite movies on the stage with some great twists. Here are some of the best screen-to-stage adaptations to go see.

The Lion King

Disney movies have been turned into plays for quite some time. “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid” are just a few that have found popularity on the stage. But these don’t even start to compare to “The Lion King.” It is the third longest running Broadway show with 24 productions around the world. If that isn’t enough, it has won 70 major theater awards internationally and has had more than 90 million audience members attend the show. With amazing music by Elton John, spectacular stage production and art, and a great story, it’s no wonder why this show is a worldwide hit that’s still going strong.

Mary Poppins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLkp_Dx6VdI

This movie-to-play show is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. While no one can top Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, “Mary Poppins” experienced great success when it opened in London in 2004 and during its Broadway run from 2006 to 2013. You can still see smaller productions of the play with all of your favorite songs, including “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Chim Chim Cher-ee” (or you can pop in your old VHS tape so you can sing along).

Amélie

If you loved the dreamy, inspiring and romantic movie that was nominated for five Oscars, you’re sure to love the play as well. The Broadway show stars Tony-nominated actor Phillipa Soo and is about to finish its season. If you hurry, you can see the play about a woman who quietly performs small acts of kindness and has to decide whether or not she wants to fight for love.

The Producers

This show has gone from the screen to the stage and back to the screen again on several occasions. Mel Brooks initially wrote the story about two Broadway producers who oversell a flop, only to find out that it’s a major hit. The 1968 film was adapted for the stage in 2001, winning an unprecedented 12 Tony awards, including best musical. Because of its huge popularity, the director (Susan Stroman) and the two stars (Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick) turned it back into a movie in 2005.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Another favorite movie that was transformed into a play is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” While you may miss Gene Wilder or even Johnny Depp as Willie Wonka, you can see this crazy world full of Oompa Loompas and fantastic candy on Broadway. Visit the world of your imagination with your friends and family, and be sure to pick up a chocolate bar and everlasting Gobstopper on your way home.

With just these few examples, it’s easy to see why screen-to-stage adaptations are so popular. You can see your favorite films in a new form and continue the amazing experience. Be sure to grab theater tickets online to catch your favorites before the Broadway season comes to an end.

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