TV shows that would make awesome musicals
Annie Bocock
I don’t know about you, but, as soon as I found out that SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical was actually incredible, I started to wonder what other TV shows would translate well to the stage in song and dance. So, I managed to concoct a list of the hopefully upcoming musicals (that I’d like to see anyway) based on hits of the silver screen.
This list isn’t in any particular order, so feel free just to strap in and feel the fantasy!
Stranger Things
Stranger Things, in my opinion, could make a fantastic musical for its depth of world and hilarious cast.
The show is already brimming with 80’s music and theming, so song-wise it could go the Mamma Mia route with a tracklist from a notorious 80’s artist or otherwise with original songs and synthy undertones.
Hannibal
Think Phantom of the Opera, but with cannibalism and murder. Dark themes, beautiful, soulful ballads, the relationship between Will Graham and Hannibal Lector that we never had, grotesque sets and graphic (yet beautifully designed) staged murders…
This is one I’d really like to see, with a manipulative, complex storyline, and definitely with Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy leading.
Big Mouth
Big Mouth is already a musical of the screen kind and I can imagine it getting the SpongeBob stage treatment really well!
The costume design leaves a lot of room for experimentation and fun to be had (huge tampons, condoms, and hormone monsters), the songs are naturally built-in so we can have a nice mixture of our favourites and new content, and, with a little more refining, it could be really educational! It would be so interesting to see Nick Kroll and John Mulaney on stage also.
Thunderbirds
Thunderbirds, for those of you who aren’t British and perhaps are a bit younger, was an action show from Gerry Anderson that premiered back in 1965. It features puppets in the original and of course, this has huge potential for the stage - think Avenue Q. Not only that, but it could be jam-packed with unique, homemade effects and set design as the cast tackle a range of rescues with an array of cheerful numbers.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
This is one that could either go really well or really poorly, depending on the team behind it, so I would be hesitant to see this come into fruition. That being said, if it was done justice, with incredible stage effects, settings, great (and representative) casting decisions, live orchestras, and more, it could be a success.
Even with their animated stage play on the show (which was ridiculously meta) it was brilliant, so let’s hope they could deliver the same!
Doctor Who
David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Peter Capaldi, and the broader cast of Doctor Who, have mostly all been on stage at some point, so it wouldn’t be a far stretch to say that there is enough talent that could represent Doctor Who on a musical stage.
With the show having a range of different themes, emotions, and scores within it, the same would translate to musical numbers alongside gorgeous set and character design of places all throughout time and space.
The Apprentice
Ending on a bizarre one I’m aware, but considering the figureheads of this show (think Lord Alan Sugar and Donald Trump), are huge characters of the worst kind, I thought it’d make for excellent storytelling, comedy, and drama.
Imagine following the journey of a bright, charismatic, and kind individual as they enter the boardroom of the Apprentice for the first time, to be met with a sadistic CEO and 13 power-hungry Tory/Republican fellow-contestants. Integrating comedic yet powerful numbers on the nature of capitalism, reality TV shows, and the truths of corporate life.
What would you like to see? Are there any you disagree with? Let us know in the comments.