It probably wouldn’t surprise anyone, knowing how much I love almost every genre of music, that I adore Broadway musicals. Stage shows have had a special place in my heart ever since I was a kid, and if I could go to one musical every week for the rest of my life I’d be thrilled.
That’s why, when we were watching the Tonys on Sunday night–one of us because I love the Tonys and two of us because they’re nice guys–I was inspired. I was inspired by James Corden’s opening number. I was inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s sonnet, a tribute to the victims of the mass shooting at the LGBTQ club in Orlando the night before. I was inspired by Bebe Neuwirth, who looks and sounds amazing. (She was there to celebrate twenty years of “Chicago” on Broadway, making it the longest running American musical in history.) I was inspired by the cast of “Hamilton” (freshly awarded with the Tony for Best Musical) in their closing number. Finally, I was inspired, after all of that, to check out which Broadway musicals are currently available to stream on Netflix.
There are quite a few; I’ve got some streaming to do! If you’re like me and always on the verge of breaking out into song, try a couple of these musicals on Netflix:
Grease (1978): Please tell me you already know all the words to the songs in this classic musical starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta about a greaser and the good girl he falls for. I am not kidding when I say that I have seen this movie nearly 100 times. (Bonus: While not a Broadway musical, Grease 2 is also available to stream, as is the recently-aired-on-television, celebrity loaded Grease Live!)
White Christmas (1954): It doesn’t have to be December in order for you to watch this one starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. Two war buddies fall for two sisters and follow the girls to a resort owned by their former commanding officer, who is in danger of losing the place.
State Fair (1945): This romantic classic stars Jeanne Crain and Dick Haymes. When a small-town family of four heads to the Iowa State Fair with their prized pig, they bring home more than just a few blue ribbons.
Carmen Jones (1954): When a free-spirited factory worker lures a straight-laced airman into a torrid romance, he abandons his girlfriend and deserts the military. This one stars Harry Belafonte, Dorothy Dandridge, and Pearl Bailey.
Rent (2005): Another favorite of mine, this one is based on Puccini’s opera “La Boheme” and follows a group of scrappy bohemians who face true love, drug addiction, and AIDS in New York City. It stars six original Broadway cast members, including my “Wicked” crush Idina Menzel as Maureen and scene stealer Wilson Jermaine Heredia as Angel. La Vie Bohème!
Shrek (2013): The Broadway adaptation of the lovable ogre in “the greatest fairy tale never told” is actually based on the animated film. I might have shrieked a little bit (not “Shreked”: that’s different) when I found it on the Netflix website. I’m amazed that I can actually sit at home and watch the stage play from my couch.
I don’t know about you, but I think I’m going to make it a musical weekend, thanks to Netflix.
Popping popcorn in 3…2…
