Student Blog: Cutting Songs: The Dos and Don'ts of Adapting Musicals

"In the Heights" has hit theaters and even if it didn't live up at the box office, the movie itself was a true delight. I'd even be happy to call it the best movie musical in years. Filled to the brim with talented performers, show stopping dance sequences, and some spectacular visuals, the movie marks a great return to the movie theaters.

While I went in blind to my viewing of the film, knowing very little about the musical beforehand, my girlfriend joined me and noticed that a handful of songs were cut from the film. In fact, she informed me afterwards that entire subplots and story beats were cut alongside these songs.

We both really enjoyed the film, but this got me thinking. The disappointment of our favorite songs being cut in the adaptations of our favorite shows is sometimes palpable. However, as "In the Heights" shows, there's a way to make these cuts work. So here are some prime examples of the dos and don'ts when wondering what winds up on the cutting room floor.

DO: In the Heights (2021)

As previously mentioned, "In the Heights" cuts multiple songs and sequences for the film adaptation, especially in the latter half of act two. On top of that, the order of certain songs are moved around to help the story flow better. Now in order to explain why these changes work I have to issue a SPOILER WARNING! From this point on if you want to avoid spoilers skip ahead to the next film:

One of my favorite songs in the entire film comes from my favorite character, Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz). "Paciencia y fe" is Abuela's big number, she uses the phrase throughout the film as her words to live by. In the stage musical, this song comes as Abuela feeds the birds and reminiscences on her life after she discovers she has the winning lottery ticket of $96,000. Abuela in the musical plans to split the lottery ticket with Usnavi and Sonny, and she partakes in much of the show through almost the entirety of act two. It's following "Carnival de Barrio" that we learn of Abuela passing away off stage.

In the film, the lottery ticket subplot plays a far less significant role in the story overall. "Paciencia y fe" now comes towards the second act of the film, the blackout happens and the core group of characters gather at Abuela's house to play games and relax during the chaos. Now, instead of the song being a more upbeat number, they essentially rework the song as Abuela looks back on her life, and contemplates living or passing away peacefully. And as she looks upon the makeshift family she has, she goes quietly in her sleep. While Abuela loses scenes and songs, I feel that this change adds so much more impact to not only her song, but her death as well. Trust me, I haven't sobbed in a theater this hard since "Avengers: Endgame".

DON'T: The Prom (2020)

While receiving middle of the road critical reviews, and despite a genuinely offensive James Corden performance, I enjoyed the Netflix adaptation of this criminally underrated show. And for the most part, this film keeps the soundtrack intact. Actually, every song from the musical is present here. However, two songs were cut short for the film itself (full songs survive on the soundtrack). "The Acceptance Song" and "You Happened", the first being the actors' (Corden, Streep, Kidman, Rannells) hilariously misguided first attempt at changing the small town minds. "You Happened" is set amidst the excitement of promposals throughout the high school. The shortening of "The Acceptance Song" works as its cutting so abruptly is used for comical effect, and it's lack of inclusion doesn't affect the story overall. However, "It Happens" is an important song for filling in some of the blanks of Emma and Alyssa's relationship. And for some reason, the filmmakers decided to cut the song right at Emma and Alyssa's moment. In doing so, we lose important character moments and the change takes away from a character rather than adding something to them.

Look at the Broadway version and the film version, and see which couple you feel more for:

DO: West Side Story (1961)

Similar to "In the Heights", this is another example of changing the order of songs to make the story flow smoother. The Jets have numerous dance numbers throughout the show, but the two most iconic are "Cool" and "Gee, Officer Krupke". The weird thing is, "Cool" is a slower, more intense dance sequence that comes in the more upbeat act one, while "Officer Krupke", a more silly and fun number, happens in the middle of the more somber act two. I understand that you want some levity in the more dower second act, however, it makes no sense for where the Jets are at this point in the story. This is where the movie swoops in and saves the day, swapping the two around and making the film flow so much better overall.

Imagine this song after multiple character deaths and an assault scene right after it:

DON'T: Into the Woods (2014)

James Corden strikes again! However, this time I actually want more of him...okay let me explain. "Into the Woods" is a massive show, nearly three hours long, and packed to the brim with some of Sondheim's most intricate lyrics and instrumental. So much of the characters and their arcs are told through the music. One of those characters being The Baker. For most of the show, The Baker isn't much of a character, feeling more like an audience surrogate or everyman. By act two, we start to see hints at his character, and then finally comes the song "No More". With this one number, the Baker becomes one of the deepest characters in the show. We learn of his fears, his pain, his flaws, he becomes far more three-dimensional. It also adds to one of the show's big themes, the pain of abandonment and the vicious cycles it can create. So what did the movie do? CUT THE WHOLE SONG AND THEN TEASE US WITH THE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE BACKGROUND OF A MUCH WORSE SCENE!

This is about the worst example of a song being cut from a musical adaptation. It's a change that not only detracts from the characters, but the story overall, making it a far less impactful experience.

If you want some other rapid fire examples to look into:

• DO: Mamma Mia! (2008)- No 'Under Attack'
• DON'T: Annie (1982) and (2014)- Butchering 'Easy Street'
• DO: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)- Multiple Songs Cut
• DO: Sweeney Todd (2007)- Paying Tribute Through Score
• DON'T: Cats (2019)- Don't be 'Cats'

In the end, it is only natural for any adaptation of a stage musical to cut songs, changes need to be made. However, it is important that these filmmakers understand the material they're working with and the weight that their changes hold. Now it's just a matter time when "Dear Evan Hansen", "tick, tick...boom", and "West Side Story" roll around and we can see what songs we love make the final cut.