Are you a musical theater nerd like me? Did you wait with baited breath for the WICKED movie to come out like I did? Did you love it and now are looking for more book to musical adaptations to devour? Well, here you go! Below are some classic movie musicals and the books that inspired them.
- ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM by Margaret Landon
- THE KING AND I composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Deborah Kerr stars as Anna, a widow who comes to Bangkok to become the English tutor to the wives and children of the King of Siam, played by the fabulous Yul Brynner who won an Academy Award for this role.
- AUNTIE MAME by Patrick Dennis
- MAME Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman
Although Lucille Ball is not known for her singing, her performance in MAME is absolutely wonderful. And Bea Arthur as the inimitable Vera Charles is a standout in the cast!
- THE BERLIN STORIES by Christopher Isherwood
- CABARET Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb
Liza Minnelli’s Academy Award winning performance of Sally Bowles and Joel Grey’s Academy Award winning performance of the Emcee head up this haunting movie set in 1929-1930’s Berlin.
- CANDIDE by Voltaire
- CANDIDE Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Richard Wilbur, John Latouche, Dorothy Parker, Lillian Hellman, Stephen Sondheim, John Mauceri, John Wells, and Leonard Bernstein
Voltaire’s satirical story is brought to life through fun and witty music in this made for TV, semi-staged production. Featured in the cast is WICKED’s original Galinda, Kristin Chenoweth as Cunegonde!
- A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
- SCROOGE Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Albert Finney stars in the titular role and Sir Alec Guinness plays Jacob Marley in this musical adaptation of the Dickens Christmas classic.
- THE COLOR PURPLE by Alice Walker
- THE COLOR PURPLE Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
This film stars Fantasia Barrino (of American Idol fame) as Celie, a woman who endures and overcomes many hardships throughout her life in rural Georgia during the early part of the 20th century.
- LES MISERABLES by Victor Hugo
- LES MISERABLES Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway lead an all-star cast that brings to life the story of a 19th century ex-convict who breaks parole and the prison guard on a quest to hunt him down.
- OLD POSSUM’S BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS by T.S. Eliot
- CATS Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber
I will say here and now: This is not the best version of CATS. In fact, this version is pretty laughable at times, despite its star-studded cast. But it is the book turned into a movie…. However, you may prefer this version, which is the musical filmed live on stage. It’s likely more palatable.
- OLIVER TWIST by Charles Dickens
- OLIVER! Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart
The British Film Institute ranked Oliver! the 77th Greatest British film of the 20th century. Indeed, this film is wonderful, featuring many fairly unknown actors in leading roles.
- THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA by Gatson Leroux
- THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber
This film is visually beautiful and contains all of the songs this popular musical has made famous. The cast is serviceable, although not amazing. But if you’re a fan of the stage show, you’re likely to enjoy this version as well.
While this version of the movie cut a lot of the comedic scenes and really downplays some of the musical’s storylines involving racial inequality (and casts Ava Gardner as Julie because the studio was afraid of casting an actual black actress in the role), this is a beautiful rendition of a classic musical.
- THE STORY OF THE TRAPP FAMILY SINGERS by Maria Augusta Trapp
- THE SOUND OF MUSIC composed by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer star in this iconic musical about a nun who is brought to the home of a former naval captain to be the governess for his seven children. This is Andrews at her musical prime, and there’s nothing better than her beautiful soprano singing these classic songs!
- TALES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC by James A. Michener
- SOUTH PACIFIC Music and Lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II
This version of the musical stars Glen Close as Nellie Forbush. While not the best vocalist, Close gives a wonderful portrayal, and you absolutely can’t go wrong with the likes of Harry Connick Jr. in the cast! This is a beautifully filmed version of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein tale and brings the story to life perhaps better than any other film adaptation of the story.
- THE YEAR THE YANKEES LOST THE PENNANT by Douglass Wallop
- DAMN YANKEES Music and Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
The original Broadway principal cast stars in this film that features Gwen Verdon and Jean Stapleton (of All in the Family fame). With choreography by Bob Fosse, some of the stage moves for the song “A Little Brains” were considered too risque for film. So, instead of re-choreographing what was seen on Broadway, Verdon simply stops dancing for a few moments.
And, of course, the book that started it all:
- WICKED: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST by Gregory Maguire
And its sequels:
Can’t get enough of the Wicked universe? There’s also a prequel book coming out in Spring of 2025!
-Jeny M.
