BWW's Stage to Screen January 2015 Guide Has Musical Magic for Holidays and Beyond
By: Matt Tamanini Dec. 24, 2014
This holiday season is a great time to be a fan of musical theatre, even if you don't live in the New York tri-state area. Everyone knows that there is nothing like Christmastime in The Big Apple, and that there's nothing more magical to do in NYC than to see a Broadway show. However, this year, you don't have to brave Times Square to get your share of the magic, because with the release of musical movies, television events, and TV series, it's all coming to you. And as always, BroadwayWorld has everything you need to know about these special treats for the holidays and into the new year in our brand-new Stage to Screen Guide.
In this new BWW feature, not only will we keep you updated on the development of Broadway shows being adapted to the big screen, but we will also let you know about shows, movies, and cinemacasts that focus on all areas of the performing arts. So, let's take a look at some of the most special entertainment gifts you don't have to leave town for during this holiday season.
INTO THE WOODS (released December 25th)
Tomorrow, the glorious Disney adaptation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved musical INTO THE WOODS finally hits movie theaters nationwide. Highlighted by a star-studded cast including the legendary Meryl Streep as the Witch, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife, James Corden as The Baker, Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince, and Johnny Depp as The Wolf, the film might be the best stage-to-screen adaptation in 50 years. So, after you've opened all your presents, downed a few helpings of Christmas ham, head over to your local cinema and get swept away in this one-of-a-kind fairytale world.
For more on INTO THE WOODS, check out my review, or see what all of the critics said in our Review Roundup. For all of the news, videos, and pictures from the film check out our INTO THE WOODS home in our Stage to Screen Guide.
ANNIE (in theaters now)
If you are familiar with INTO THE WOODS, you know that it might be a bit too dark for the youngest members of your family. So, if you are looking for a kid-friendly musical for Christmas evening, there is the newest adaptation of everyone's favorite redheaded musical, ANNIE. Starring Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Cameron Diaz, Rose Byrne, and Bobby Cannavale, this film updates the Depression-era setting to modern day New York City, and gives the well-known songs a hip-hop makeover.
While many critics have bemoaned the updates (as you can see in our Review Roundup), I thought there were a number of positive things that Will Smith, Jay Z, and the movie's other producers got right. You can read my review for a full breakdown. You can also check out loads of videos, photos, and articles about the movie in our Stage to Screen ANNIE home.
GALAVANT (premiering January 4th on ABC)
INTO THE WOODS isn't the only musical fairytale debuting in the next few weeks. On January 4th, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater's four-week musical-comedy extravaganza GALAVANT will premiere on ABC. With a script by Dan Fogelman, this romantic tale is part Monty Python, part PRINCESS BRIDE, and all parts fun. If I were Menken, I would be dusting off a spot on my mantle for the final piece of my EGOT!
The show stars Joshua Sasse, Karen David, Mallory Jansen, Timothy Omundson, and Vinnie Jones, and features guest appearances by John Stamos, Ricky Gervais, Faith Prince, Weird Al Yankovic, Hugh Bonneville, and many more.
Each Sunday night for a month, ABC will air two 30-minute episodes, and each one is funnier than the last. Both the songs and humor are modern and full of surprises. While the special musical event only runs for four weeks, this has the pedigree and talent to be the biggest musical TV show since COP ROCK!
I will have full reviews and recaps of every hour each Sunday night, and you can get all of the GALAVANT news, videos, and photos at the show's Stage to Screen home.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS (released February 13th)
While it might not be this holiday season, another beloved musical is making its way to the big (and small) screen in the coming months. Jason Robert Brown's heartbreaking show THE LAST FIVE YEARS is set for a limited theatrical and Video-On-Demand release in time for Valentine's Day on February 13th.
The film stars musical It-Girl, Oscar and Tony-nominee Anna Kendrick and Tony-nominee Jeremy Jordan, and features cameos by many familiar faces connected with the show's 13-year history, including JRB himself. The story chronicles the five-year relationship of Jamie and Cathy, but does so with Jamie experiencing it chronologically, while Cathy lives everything backwards.
After seeing an early screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, BWW Toronto Editor Alan Henry said in his review that "Jordan and Kendrick have incredible (and believable) chemistry together." That was enough to give me reason to be optimistic about this year's V-Day!
As we get closer to the release, the THE LAST FIVE YEARS' Stage to Screen Guide home will have all of the latest clips, production shots, and news about the film.
Upcoming and In Development
Another great feature of BWW's Stage to Screen Guide is all of the latest news on projects currently in production and development. Whether it is the Pasek and Paul movie musical THE GREATEST SHOWMAN ON EARTH starring Hugh Jackman, GYPSY, starring and directed by Barbra Streisand, Fox's GREASE LIVE!, or Disney's live-action adaptation of THE JUNGLE BOOK, we have everything you need to know. With every new announcement, we will be updating the Guide, so that you will never miss the latest info.
We are always updating the Stage to Screen Guide, but if there is something official that has flown beneath our radar, send me an email or reach out on Twitter @BWWMatt. Also, don't forget to follow @BWWTVWorld and @BWWMoviesWorld for all of the latest entertainment news, reviews, videos, and more.
Photo Credit:
1) James Corden, Emily Blunt, Daniel Huttlestone: Disney Studios
2) The cast of ANNIE: Sony Entertainment
3) The cast of GALAVANT: Bob D'Amico | ABC
4) Jeremy Jordan and Anna Kendrick: THE LAST FIVE YEARS' Facebook Page
Videos