The Movieland Report

Theater may be the origin of movies. The live action story telling made the shift to film throughout the late 19th century and in the early 20th century, but not at the advent of the 21st century the circle has become complete and the film’s are starting to influence stage productions.

Legally Blonde is just one of the examples of the film coming to the theater. The musical version debuted in 2007 and became just as popular as the film, bringing those who bought Legally Blonde tickets to see the story on the silver screen to watch it as a live-action musical.

Other classics, like Hairspray and a host of Disney films have made the transition. These movies find that the stage experience even helps to promote their DVDs and keep the royalties coming in.

Of course, the Broadway original shows still find their way into film vaults. Wicked may have sold millions of tickets on stage, but it will surely sell millions at the box office when the musical debuts on the big screen in 2010.

Sometimes a movie can help promote a revival. Mamma Mia! came out as a movie in time to make the world remember the ABBA-inspired musical as it continued its many production runs around the world.

The reality is that a great story is a great story, whether on stage or on film. Phantom of the Opera sold tickets as a film and a musical, with reviewers being critical of both but fans fueling the success of either production any way.

Broadway and Hollywood can co-exist and even support each other’s success. No longer does there need to be a theater crowd and a theatre crowd. Now they can both enjoy the same stories in different mediums.