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[Note: This article was originally written and published in 2004, and is a bit outdated, but still has valid information.]

Musicals Have Done a Number on Us: Musicals in the Movies!

by Julia Temlyn

Have you noticed how musicals are gaining popularity on film once again? Gone may be the days of Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, but film musicals are making a big come-back, with the popularity of films such as “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Chicago,” and the upcoming “Rent.”

In 2001, a new musical hit struck Hollywood. It was called “Moulin Rouge,” and it starred Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman as a star-crossed couple in 1899 Paris. “Moulin Rouge” tells the tale of Christian (McGregor), a poor Bohemian-type writer, and Satine (Kidman), a courtesan and star at the Moulin Rouge. He has been coerced into writing a musical, and attempts to sell the show to the Moulin Rouge, finding himself falling in love with its rising star, Satine. The club’s owner wants to build a new theater for the Moulin Rouge, and so finds a wealthy Duke to invest in the theater. The Duke agrees to fund the theater, on one condition — he wants Satine as his own. Baz Luhrmann’s musical is filled with rich colors, dancing, slapstick comedy, heart-wrenching drama, true love, and music to sing along with. That’s right — Mr. Luhrmann chose re-invented modern music to set the backdrop of this turn-of-last-century story. From the chorus of “Lady Marmalade,” to “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” to Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” these well-known songs abound, even Elton John’s “Your Song” sets the scene for Christian’s romantic declaration: “How wonderful life is while you’re in the world.” The movie does have a few originals, like the lovely “Come What May,” as well as imaginative recreations, like the tango-dancing “Roxanne.” Who would have thought of that? This musical not only won dozens of awards and nominations, but it won a place in many hearts, and started a new trend in musical cinema.

A year later, an award-winning stage musical about two murderous divas came to film in burlesque 1920s “Chicago.” Velma Kelly (Catherina Zeta-Jones) and Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) sing their sorrows to Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), lawyer and ladies’ man. These jailbirds are songbirds as well, and Queen Latifah joins in the chorus as the prison warden. Bob Fosse’s musical, based on an actual 1920s murder case, is a tale of celebrity, scandal, murder, song-and-dance, and justice — sort of. Poetic justice, that is.

Just this past winter another incredibly famous musical took to the screen. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” has been a beloved musical for quite a few years, and has been a film-in-the-works for about ten years. Finally it was completed and released to rave reviews. It stars such actors familiar with both stage and screen as Patrick Wilson, Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Minnie Driver, and Miranda Richardson. This brilliant adaptation is rich with color and flair, and looks to be a future film classic.

Currently filming, and due to be released in the near future, is the wildly popular tale of modern-day Bohemia in New York’s East Side, Jonathan Larson’s “Rent.” Most of the original Broadway cast has been cast to star in this film adaptation — an idea that fans are thrilled about. Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Adam Pascal, and Anthony Rapp are among the original Broadway cast. Some new faces are playing roles such as Mimi, April, and Alison, the latter two of which are not usually seen in the stage performance, but whose roles are vital to the story, and will most likely show up in flashbacks in the film. Fans may not understand these additions, but certain changes often need to be made when stage musicals are adapted for the screen. This musical adaptation looks promising, as the original cast was one of the most-talked about Broadway casts ever.

“The Producers,” a film-turned-stage musical, is once again heading to film. Mel Brooks’ story of a theatre-producer and a CPA who come up with a way to pocket a fortune by raising lots of money for a show that’s sure to be a flop. This ultimate theatre scam culminates in a musical entitled “Springtime for Hitler.” The original musical featured Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, while the remake features Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, who also starred in the original Broadway cast. This musical spoof is sure to be a hit when it hits theatres — again!

It is so exciting to see the growing popularity of film musicals once again. This is one film genre that needs to stick around. After all, decades-old musicals are still extremely popular, so why stop there?

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