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A fascinating documentary about the casting of the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, Every Little Step becomes a real-life version of the musical, following hundreds of dancers through months of callbacks and putting their hopes, fears, and unbridled determination at the center. When Boop! The Musical first premiered, it did so in Chicago. We…
A musical proshot about three friends whose personal and professional lives become increasingly intertwined, Merrily We Roll Along moves backward through its characters’ lives with quintessential Sondheim wit and lyrical complexity, elevated by three extraordinary performances. When this performance first came to Broadway, I was a little surprised – and I wasn’t alone. Not well…
A heartfelt coming-of-age drama about a teenager preparing for her first show while navigating the realities of her mother’s returning illness, Don’t Say Good Luck gradually builds its emotional weight through likable characters, genuine performances, and a deeply affecting musical backdrop. When the musical Waitress came out in 2016, it kind of went right past…
A fantastically campy musical sequel, Grease 2 is a cult classic that brings back the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies for another year at Rydell High, along with great songs, a talent show, and a lot of laughs. When I was a child, my brother and I would stay overnight at our dad’s house every…
A colorful musical about a gifted young girl pushing back against a harsh school and difficult adults, Matilda The Musical is a fun film, with great songs, spectacular choreography, and an endearing story. The first time I truly heard about Matilda The Musical on Broadway was during the 2013 Tony Awards. Since then, it has…
A music biopic following the rise of Queen and frontman Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody is a crowd-pleasing film with excellent performances, energetic musical montages, and songs that make the entire story feel alive. I have been a huge Queen fan for many decades now. When I first watched Wayne’s World in the movie theater in…
A light teen rom-com about a high school girl learning to accept herself, Tall Girl is a cute, heartfelt film with likable actors and a gently enjoyable story. It might seem strange, but particularly as we grow up, many girls have a complex about their height. When I was younger, I was convinced that if…
An incredible proshot recorded during the last days of the production, Rent: Filmed Live On Broadway, about a group of artists living and loving in tenement housing in New York City, uniquely captures the beauty of this history-making show. I watched Rent for the first time in 1997 when it was on tour through Cincinnati,…
A musical proshot about a family navigating grief and mental health, Next to Normal is beautifully staged and emotionally overwhelming, with exceptional performances and a distinctly unique story in the world of musical theatre. I remember when Next To Normal first made it to Broadway in 2009. I have always been a huge Broadway nerd…
A high-energy comedy about the rise of an Irish-language rap trio, Kneecap is as visually inventive and unexpectedly heartfelt as it is full of infectious music. Musical movies are a huge thing for me. I love a proshot like Come From Away and Waitress: The Musical, but I’m also here for straight-up documentaries like the…
An indie comedy about a couple who turn their arguments into songs, Band Aid is a clever and offbeat idea with an execution and tone that never quite connect. My husband and I were big fans of the show Life In Pieces. We loved the ensemble of actors, got a kick out of the humor,…
A visually stunning stop-motion reimagining of the classic tale, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio offers a darker and more philosophical take on the story. The first time I heard about Guillermo del Toro was in 2006, when Pan’s Labyrinth was released. He has since become one of the biggest names in film, receiving accolades for movies…
