When it comes to bringing a new musical to the Great White Way, producers find inspiration in all sorts of places — including beloved movies.
Tina Fey premiered her Broadway musical version of the hit movie Mean Girls in April 2018.
“The greatest thing about bringing this musical to life is that our creative team didn’t say, ‘Can you just recreate the iconic film performance?’ We could never hope to,” Erika Henningsen, who played Lindsay Lohan’s character Cady Heron on stage, exclusively told Us Weekly in April 2018. “It has been really special being able to recreate these characters for a musical and in this current time period.”
Mean Girls: The Musical originally starred Erika Henningsen, Taylor Louderman, Emily in Paris’ Ashley Park and Barrett Wilbert Weed. The show ultimately closed in March 2020.
Mean Girls is not the only movie that has served as inspiration for the stage. In April 2016, Sara Bareilles’ version of Waitress debuted on Broadway. Starring Jessie Mueller as the original Jenna, Bareilles reinvigorated the Keri Russell film with Tony-nominated songs.
“I just think Waitress is comfort food. It’s got so much heart and it’s got so much humor,” Bareilles exclusively told Us in February 2019. “I know I’m biased because I’m intimately involved, but I really believe in the story of resilience and strength and vulnerability.”
Scroll below to see more movies that have been adapted into Broadway musicals:
