Student Blog: Teen Beach Movie: The Next Broadway Musical

The lives of millions, perhaps billions, of people were forever changed on July 19th, 2013. The only Disney Channel Original Movie to premiere that year, Teen Beach Movie revolutionized, challenged, and raised the bar for every following DCOMs. With progressive storylines, infectious songs, and writing so excruciatingly campy that it was almost difficult to watch, this movie remains completely relevant almost ten years later; arguably, this movie still has the best soundtrack I have ever listened to (I'm a big Teen-Beach-Movie enthusiast, ok?) Performances by Ross Lynch, Maia Mitchell, Garrett Clayton, and Grace Phipps inspire and motivate viewers to not only surf or bike, but are an excellent gateway into the world that is musical theatre. Therefore, I propose that the next screen-to-stage adaptation to appear on Broadway should be the impeccable, the flawless, the game-changing movie musical that is Teen Beach Movie, and here's why:

1. The Teen Beach Movie soundtrack: are you kidding? The songs that are performed in this musical pay homage to the classic songs of the 1960s-- there is no limit to the money that I would pay to see "Surf Crazy", "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'", "Falling for Ya", and "Meant to Be" performed live on stage eight times a week. However, I also think that these would be extremely difficult and tiring performances on behalf of the actors-- have you seen the choreo? Which leads me to my next point...

2. The Teen Beach Movie choreography: there is nothing more exhilarating than watching and re-living the dance sequence for "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'" over and over and over again-- the set of Big Momma's makes for a summer dream and an even better place to dance in with its colored lights, bottled soda, and the iconic jukebox

3. Teen Beach Movie is appropriate for all ages: listen, I was eleven years old when this movie premiered, and now, as an eighteen-year-old, I am still in love with every single thing about this movie; however, the movie also appeals to older audiences, with the movie-within-a-movie's plot of Wet Side Story mirroring the plot of West Side Story; thus, this further relates to even-older audience members who are fans of classic Elizabethean drama, with the plot of both Wet Side Story and West Side Story inspired by William Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet (see! This movie has EVERYTHING to offer)

4. Teen Beach Movie is empowering and inspiring: ok, maybe not so much as the first movie, but its sequel Teen Beach 2 includes moments between Mack and Lela that encourage and inspire taking charge of one's own destiny, rewriting a story into the way that one would like to see it-- not letting anybody hold you back from what your heart wants you to do (this inspires Lela to rewrite the original Wet Side Story, which is good because it definitely had its flaws in certain progressive movements)

5. THE MOVIE IS SO GOOD: listen, you cannot tell me that this movie doesn't instantly put you in a good mood; I mean, the summer vibes from this movie are incredible, and I would love to see a stage-adaptation of one of my favorite movies in existence-- sure it's cheesy and sure it's campy, but does it make the viewers HAPPY? I can confidently say it does.

Although I can see why this movie would not necessarily be the number-one choice to adapt to the stage, I felt compelled to write this article to encourage you all to go watch Teen Beach Movie right NOW! It's gotten me through some harder days, weeks, and months of this past year. The songs make me want to sing, the choreography makes me wish that I was a better dancer, and the movie just reminds me of all the joy and goodness that is offered. So, do yourself a favor, watch this movie. And then do yourself another favor and watch its sequel, Teen Beach 2. In all seriousness, this movie is super fun, enjoyable, almost coming-of-age, feel-good, and has some really cute moments that inspire the occasional tear to roll down my cheek.

Thank you so much for reading this article, and I hope you're all safe and healthy :) Go enjoy some Teen Beach Movie.

Bryce