What are /r/musicals' favorite Products & Services?

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Fantastic musical from a great creative team, and a great cast. Saw it on Broadway in Previews and was blown away. Going to see the tour in a few weeks in North Carolina. Really glad that Nickelodeon broadcast this for the world to see. Great fun.

Here's a legitimate (not-pirated) version you can purchase from Amazon for a few bucks.

I love 36 questions! I've found Chordify to be a good website for more obscure songs like this. Here's a link to A Better Version! https://chordify.net/chords/a-better-version-36-questions-cover-makaena-marie

i have done the free Berklee songwriting course. i think i write good lyrics. From the nuts and bolts point of view I think you should develop a strict approach to matching syllabic stress with the strength of the musical beat and use internal rhyming. those two techniques will take you a long way to sounding professional.

or is it the content - the "what to say and how to structure it" you're having problems with?

this is an example of my musical writing

i can get together with you for an hour over irc chat to map out a structure and write a verse together if you like. pm me if you're interested.

I'm also Australian and was just locking this in for myself, so here you go.

This seems to the best feed right now, although the player wont go fullscreen for me for some reason: http://streamfare.com/cbs.html

In previous years I've used Stream2Watch (http://www.stream2watch.cc/live-television/united-states/cbs-live-stream) but none of their feeds seem to be working for me right now.

Happy to help you and /u/ChumpNugget out :)

Happy to hear of any alternatives too - I ussually try to have a few backups in case the stream drops out. I simply Google "stream CBS" and find something from there. There are sometimes specific Tony streams people set up, with comment streams etc, but I've found them less reliable.

Obviously, all of these are dubiously legal. I think Foxtel are showing it in Oz, and there are some legal ways to stream CBS but I don't ussually bother as this is the one time each year I want to watch US TV live.

There is actually an original cast audio recording of this. You can see it here. I got it from my university library. They also made a film version, but I'm not sure who's in the cast of that (pretty sure Richard Burton was, at least).

But also definitely check on the archives at Lincoln Center as /u/broadwaybaby616 pointed out. Something I've always wanted to do.

You might want to check out this site too, some really in-depth footnotes for all the lyrics, really interesting stuff: http://genius.com/albums/Lin-manuel-miranda/Hamilton-original-broadway-cast-recording

Both are worth the watch, and it's hard to say what exactly is the best way to go because i'm not sure what your decision is supposed to be based on.

However, I'd probably say Rent regardless. Don't get me wrong, Spring Awakening is a wonderful show, but Rent may be literally your only option if you want to "watch" a production without going to bootleg route. Plus, as /u/OrtuAutumna said, Rent was somewhat revolutionary. It's an important part of musical theater history, and the story surrounding its creation and journey to Broadway is just as important as the show itself.

As far as what to watch, you have a few options. Yes, there was a 2005 film that features (most of) the incredibly-talented original broadway cast, but it's pretty different from the Broadway production. There was also a live broadcast of it on Fox in 2019, but that one does not take place in the traditional theater setting, which I think is important.

The one I recommend is the 2008 performance that was recorded when the broadway production closed. It's a great cast, including Tracie Thoms, who played Joanne in the 2005 movie and reprises that role, as well as a pre-Hamilton Renee Elise Goldsberry as Mimi. Here's the justwatch page: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/rent-filmed-live-on-broadway

(But ultimately, watch them all, and listen to Spring Awakening too :) )

No. Here is the digital booklet that comes with the album - it has a good synopsis of the plot, split up between Liz and Beth. It does list the songs that go with each plot point.

I have learned a lot from listening to the Broadway stations on Accuradio. I prefer Spotify or Pandora for every other musical style, but I find that Accuradio consistently plays the best mix of musicals.

They also have a great selection of Broadway sub-channels that let you hone in on a particular period or composer - check out their Broadway Page to see the options. I recommend the Broadway's Best and Tony Award Best Musicals '90s-'00s stations for a start, and the Wide Playlist Broadway if you're interested in hearing some deep cuts.

Get "The songs of West side story"

Amazon Page

Album came out in late 90s, but it is a fresh take by various artists on the songs of the greatest musical ever written.

Google "Hamilton wall calendar" and you'll find images from one (also available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-2019-Wall-Calendar-American/dp/0789334992 ). Choose one or more images and make your own greeting card with it. The calendar is great to have too.

I think I definitely missed the train on this, but if you can, find throat spray that has licorice root in it. It tastes like death (or rotten celery, depending on who you ask), but I find it works fantastic for my throat.

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Here's an amazon link to the stuff I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Singers-Saving-Strength-Original-Herbs/dp/B0015PDL1Y

There’s a book about the writing and production of the original Broadway show and filming the movie.

Found it:The Making of a Musical by Richard Altman

Call yourself a fan, and don't let anyone stop you.

For a broader introduction, visit this playlist heavy on (but not exclusively) Golden Age shows cribbed from the book The Secret Life of the American Musical: How Broadway Shows Are Built.

My bible to learn about musicals I might want to listen to:

The Theatermania Guide to Musical Theater Recordings

https://www.amazon.com/Theatermania-Guide-Musical-Theater-Recordings/dp/0823084353/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28INTCXME356N&keywords=theatermania&qid=1662002026&sprefix=theatermania%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1

From a professional audiovisual technician (not on broadway, corperate meetings) most contemporary musicals are presented at "concert loudness" IE: loud enough to be uncomfortable for anyone. Get some musicians earplugs like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0044DEETC or visit an ear doctor to get custom earmolded ones. Chairs at theatres tend to be just as bad as airplane seats.

+1 for Little Shop. BTW I discovered recently that you can watch the movie with its original ending (https://www.amazon.com/Little-Horrors-Special-Alternate-Ending/dp/6304779259) and, wow. I liked the theatrical release but the original Faistian ending really hit me hard in a completely different, more powerful way.

Brandy in Cinderella which is on Disney Plus.

I think Hugh Jackman's Oklahoma is the best version. It used to be on Amazon Prime. There's a lot of nuance to the show that I enjoy, with themes on jealousy, fear, and justice.

South Pacific was confusing the first time I watched it, but "You've got to be carefully taught" is a great song. The show is about Anti-Asian racism which is sadly prescient.

I do love Brigadoon (movie version is on HBO right now) and I believe there's a parody of it on Apple+ right now.

I loved seeing Once live since it was the first time I saw a musical where instruments were played on stage (I've got tickets to Hadestown soon!). I think those are better experienced live so I suggest seeing them if they roll through town. Some stuff is good taped, and some stuff isn't. I imagine Beetlejuice is one of those shows it's much better to see in-person while Little Shop of Horrors is probably the best filmed musical ever (yes, even better than Sound of Music).

If you're watching proshots/tapes, you might want to watch along with a podcast like MusicalSplaining. That's how I ended up "finding" Xanadu.

Dance on Broadway for Nintendo Wii. I suppose it's not "based on a musical" but it does sample music from lots of different musicals and bundles them into a playable "just Dance" game.

It’s on Amazon Prime! https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Rent-Filmed-Broadway-Will-Chase/dp/B00FZM6W14/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=BI431X6P3MJJ&keywords=rent+broadway&qid=1641586015&sprefix=rent+br%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-1

I'm actually working at getting the music for my musical made right now.

I'm looking to other musicians for the music, but Coursera has a fantastic class hosted by Berklee College of Music for writing lyrics. It helped me out a ton, I strongly recommend you check it out: https://www.coursera.org/course/songwriting

My biggest thought is make the lyrics be part of the story arc. Throwaway songs aren't that cool, and are boring IMO. Also, songs in musicals are generally sort of descriptive, by which I mean, they aren't generally what people would literally say in those situations. They explain emotions or capture a lot of character conflict in a short amount of time. Those are my observations, anyway.

I'm also guessing when you say where to start, that you mean in the brainstorming process, and that you're not starting at the very beginning of the story and trying to write to the end. Generally an outline is the easiest way to start and, though it may sound overwhelming, can actually be a blast. A lot of people seem to hate outlining, but I've found it to be the funnest and most creative part of the whole process. Once you've got an outline, you edit it until you like it, and then you write the thing.

Musical writing is also just hard, so don't worry if you're struggling. I know Alan Menken struggles with writing theatrical musicals. Here's a great quote from Larry Gelbart too: “If Hitler’s still alive, I hope he’s out of town with a musical”

Here's an Amazon link to it.

Hi, I've been playing skribbl.io and would love a .csv list of all musicals ever to pop into the custom game box!! If you can send over a .csv sheet, if it's no trouble that would be amazing!

Thanks and keep up the Excel/Musicals <3

I use this site whenever I'm not sure if I have access to something on streaming.

That said, none of those three are on any of the "major" streaming services at the moment.

One interesting fact from the book: Winthrop was originally supposed to have cerebral palsy but that was deemed too serious for a musical comedy. There was literally an “A-ha!” moment about making it a lisp. Originally the solo in “Wells Fargo Wagon” was going to go to an unnamed juvenile in the chorus. (I can’t believe I remember that… I haven’t read to book for decades.)

Another factoid: in the film “The Apartment” Jack Lemmon was supposed to meet up with Shirley MacLaine at the show, and it was filmed outside the actual theater where The Music Man was playing.

I freaking love the show, in case you couldn’t tell.

Another theatre book is The Street Where I Live by Alan Jay Lerner which is about the stories behind My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Gigi both theatre and film versions (or just film version in the case of Gigi)

And of course, there’s the ultimate theatre memoir: Moss Hart’s <em>Act One</em>

“The Music Man” is an interesting film because a lot of stage elements was worked in, especially the “Luda Rise/Dream of Now” song. That was a deliberate choice by the director, let’s have spotlights and different groupings as we had on the stage. (If you ever get a chance, read “But He Doesn’t Know the Territory!” all about the creation of TMM by Meredith Willson.

But He Doesn't Know the Territory

Not the film… unless you want to watch it with the sound off. Horrible performances.

There is the complete Le Miz… it has all the spoken parts as well as the music. It was recorded by different stage performers from all over the world, so it was the best of the best. The Complete Symphonic Recording

The 10th Anniversary Recording not only has Colm Wilkinson and Michael Ball recreating their original roles, but has Lea! Salonga! as the grown Eponine.

All my own opinion, obviously.

I'm not sure if you're only looking for musical versions connected to the 1992 Disney film, but if not, there was a television movie musical version with songs by Cole Porter back in the day. (Looks like that version's artwork may have inspired Disney for the 1992 film poster.)

https://www.amazon.com/Aladdin-DuPont-Month-Television-Version/dp/B0000027W9

One of the Come From Away band members (who is from Newfoundland himself if I remember correctly) has an album of traditional Newfoundland music (similar to some of the stuff in the show) - not sure if it's available streaming/digitally but the CD of it is for sale on Amazon and the Come From Away website.

https://www.amazon.com/Come-Bays-Live-Romano-Nillo/dp/B07853R1ZC

I'm going to go with Jonah-Man Jazz by Michael Hurd: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Hurd-Jonah-Man-Jazz/dp/0853602301

I sang this as a pre-teen in my church choir, too many years ago. Is this it?

Here. If you have Prime, the two best songs of the show are free.

It may have all the songs but doesn't have the sung through dialogue in between. There is a lot of material left off the other recordings. I think this is the only complete recording. https://www.amazon.com/Miserables-Complete-Symphonic-Recording/dp/B0002E5L62

Also, it's the only way to hear the amazing Anthony Warlow as Enjolras. (Actually not sure if that is the correct link. The recording is from 1989, so not even sure if it's in print anymore).

Also, here is the Miss Saigon one. https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Recording-Boublil-Schonbergs-Saigon/dp/B000002SM0

Amazon (Released 15 May) https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Evan-Hansen-Steven-Levenson-ebook/dp/B06XQ631S2/ref=sr_1_2_twi_kin_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1494528458&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=dear+evan+hansen

PLAYBILL (Available Now/ In Stock) https://www.playbillstore.com/dear-evan-hansen-the-musical-script.aspx

You mean like this? I'm sure it's on Spotify too...