Other than Oscar nominee Elvis, final yr was a little bit of a desert within the film and TV musicals division. Certain, Spirited was enjoyable, however after a giant 2021 filled with the Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist finale, Steven Spielberg’s West Aspect Story remake, Encanto’s “We Don’t Discuss About Bruno” torturing mother and father all over the place, and the unbridled pleasure of each Broadway star in Schmigadoon!, 2022 left loads to be desired within the sing-along division.
Whereas 2023 received’t precisely be the following musical renaissance yr — this stuff take time — it does supply a number of titles to get enthusiastic about. We’ll have to attend till 2024 or later for another marquee releases just like the Depraved two-parter, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Girl Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix. After which there are a number of that we will cross our fingers for, as no launch dates have been introduced, but it surely’s unlikely we’ll see the Stunning adaptation, Paramount+’s Imply Ladies musical, Ryan Murphy’s A Refrain Line Netflix adaptation, the Barry Jenkins–helmed Mufasa: The Lion King, or an RRR sequel in early growth earlier than subsequent yr.
This yr’s musical and music-themed vibrant spots embody Girl Gaga teaming up with Joaquin Phoenix for the Joker sequel, a visit again to Rydell Excessive, a live-action Little Mermaid, and the variation of bestseller Daisy Jones and the Six. Right here’s a rundown of the musical movies and sequence we know are heading to the massive and small screens this yr and some others that may in all probability take a bit longer — however none fairly as long as Richard Linklater’s 20-year plan for Merrily We Roll Alongside!
And if these aren’t sufficient for you, there’s all the time the BroadwayHD streaming service.
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The Little Mermaid
(2023)
(Walt Disney Photos)
Premiere Date: Could 26 in theaters
Description: Rising star Halle Bailey stars as Ariel, the mermaid princess daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem) who makes a cope with Ursula the ocean witch (Melissa McCarthy) to be along with her land-lubber Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King).
Why we’re trying ahead to it: Daveed Diggs is enjoying Sebastian. This isn’t a drill. I repeat, Daveed Diggs is enjoying Sebastian. And with help on the revamped music from Lin-Manuel Miranda, an all-star forged, and path from musical king Rob Marshall (Chicago), what extra might you ask for in a brand new model of an previous favourite?
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Up Right here: Season 1
(2023)
(Hulu)
(Photograph by Patrick Harbron/Hulu)
Premiere Date: Spring 2023
Description: A romantic comedy musical set within the twilight of the millennium in New York Metropolis, the sequence follows Lindsay (Mae Whitman) and Miguel (Carlos Valdes) “an abnormal couple with a unprecedented love story.”
Why we’re trying ahead to it: The powerhouse staff behind this present consists of Frozen and Coco songwriting duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Expensive Evan Hanson and Tick Tick.. BOOM! author Steven Levenson, and Hamilton director Thomas Kail. And with a lot ’90s New York nostalgia recently, it appears the right formulation for an enthralling musical sequence.
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The Shade Purple
(2023)
(Warner Bros. Photos)
(Photograph by John Lamparski/Getty Photos for NYFW: The Reveals)
Premiere Date: December 20 in theaters
Description: The musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize–profitable novel follows Celie (Fantasia Barrino), an African-American girl within the 1900s South, by means of her friendships, trials, and tribulations. Different bold-faced names within the forged embody Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R., Danielle Brooks, David Alan Grier, and Jon Batiste.
Why we’re trying ahead to it: This can be a novel with a superb observe document for diversifications — Steven Spielberg’s 1985 movie model earned Oscar nominations for Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey (in her first appearing function), and the 2015 Broadway musical adaptation earned Cynthia Erivo a Tony for her portrayal of Celie. American Idol’s 2004 winner Fantasia Barrino took over from LaChanze in the identical function on Broadway and can play Celie within the upcoming movie. Spielberg and Oprah are each concerned within the newest movie adaptation, alongside Quincy Jones.
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Schmigadoon!: Season 2
(2023)
(Apple TV+)
(Photograph by Courtesy of Apple)
Premiere Date: April 7
Description: Or ought to we are saying Schmicago!? Season 2 of the enjoyable Apple TV+ musical sendup with Cecily Robust and Keegan-Michael Key can have our lovebirds touring to Schmicago, a land crammed with ’60s and ’70s-era musical characters and themes. Jazzhands, Fosse numbers, and possibly even a unadorned scene à la Hair are in our future. However haven’t any concern, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth’s wacky mayor and preacher’s spouse are again, together with Ariana DeBose and Aaron Tveit and newcomers to the present together with Tituss Burgess and Patrick Web page.
Why we’re trying ahead to it: Season 1’s redux of traditional Rodgers and Hammerstein reveals was enjoyable, however we’re excited to see what they do with musicals that begin to hit on extra up to date themes.
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Grease: Rise of the Pink Girls: Season 1
(2023)
(Paramount+)
Premiere Date: Thursday, Apr. 6
Description: There have been Pink Girls earlier than Rizzo dominated the roost. The brand new sequence coming to Paramount+ takes us again to 1954 and offers us the origin story of the baddest misfit ladies’ clique at Rydell Excessive. Primarily based on Grease and Grease 2, however written as a prequel, the present is helmed by Annabel Oakes (Fringe of Seventeen, Minx). New music is being written for the sequence, produced by Justin Tranter, a music producer and songwriter for the likes of Dua Lipa and Girl Gaga.
Why we’re trying ahead to it: You possibly can by no means have an excessive amount of Grease. The unique 1972 Broadway musical broke boundaries, placing intercourse, politics, and peer strain on stage in new methods. The long-lasting 1978 film impressed a technology and skyrocketed the celebrity of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. And the sequel launched Michelle Pfeiffer to the world in her first starring function. Pink Girls has loads to dwell as much as given its pedigree, however bobby socks and a Pink Girl jacket will all the time be a superb Halloween costume alternative, now with new names embroidered on the breast.
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Daisy Jones & The Six: Season 1
(2023)
(Prime Video)
Premiere Date: March 3
Description: Tailored from Taylor Jenkins Reid’s rock historical past bestseller a couple of band in Nineteen Seventies Los Angeles, the musical drama follows Daisy Jones (Riley Keough), Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin) and their bandmates as they study their journey to and fall from stardom. Impressed by Fleetwood Mac’s story, the present additionally stars Suki Waterhouse, who launched her debut album in 2022.
Why we’re trying ahead to it: As Elvis Presley’s granddaughter, star Riley Keough is bound to have realized a factor or two about being a rock icon. The present consists of unique songs, so followers of the e-book who might solely think about what Midnight appears like will get to see these come to life. Reese Witherspoon named the e-book to her in style e-book membership and is producing the present beneath her Hiya Sunshine banner. And writer Reid is already a fan: “It allowed me a possibility to type of be like, ‘Oh, OK, possibly this is the reason folks like this e-book,’ as a result of I really like this present that it’s changing into,” she advised Ellen Pompeo on her podcast.
The Idol
Premiere Date: TBD 2023
Description: Whereas maybe not a full-on musical — however positively heavy on the music and musical affect — The Idol is the story of a rising pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) who finds herself in an advanced relationship with self-help guru/cult chief Tedros (Abel Tesfaye aka The Wknd).
Why we’re trying ahead to it: Not like extra conventional musical fare, The Idol seems darker, extra plot-driven, and extra music industry-heavy than the others on ourlist. With The Wknd in his first appearing function since Uncut Gems and appearances from Australian singer/songwriter Troye Sivan and Okay-Pop star BlackPink’s Jennie Ruby Jane, The Idol guarantees to step in the place Euphoria leaves off within the Gen-Z decadence division.
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Girls5eva
(Netflix)
(Photograph by Peacock)
Premiere Date: TBD
Description: A ’90s lady group will get an opportunity at redemption when a big-time rapper samples their tune. Now of their 40s and lacking one member, Girls5eva (starring Sara Bareilles, Busy Philips, Paula Pell, and Renee Elise Goldsberry) hilariously grapples with fame a second time round.
Why we’re trying ahead to it: Will Girls5eva depart New York and go on tour? Will Bareilles’ Daybreak steadiness house life, a brand new child, and fame? What’s going to Kev and Summer time do about Stevia? So many questions had been left on the finish of season 2, thank goodness Netflix picked up the sequence after Peacock handed on a 3rd season. The present’s theme tune is caught in our heads foreva.
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