All tagged Billy Elliot

Ten Best Musicals That Started as Films … and Three That Surprisingly Didn’t Make the List

Ten Best Musicals That Started as Films … and Three That Surprisingly Didn’t Make the List

Mark Robinson
Top Ten, Music That Makes Me Dance, Broadway Musical Musings

Nowadays, it has become the go-to fashion on Broadway to adapt films for the musical stage. Such movies asMoulin Rouge!, Back to the Future, and The Lion King have proven to be hits of this ilk. Most, however, have been terrible, pale replications of their screen counterparts. A handful, however, are truly amazing: artistic re-thinkings that improve upon their source material. This article is a celebration of the 10 best musicals that started as films … and three that surprisingly (for some of you) that didn’t make my list.

Collabro: Road to the Royal Albert Hall — Album Review

Collabro: Road to the Royal Albert Hall — Album Review

Mark Robinson
Music That Makes Me Dance

I cannot get enough of the band Collabro. From the moment I first heard them sing “Stars” on Britain’s Got Talent, I felt plunged into a joy of theatre music delivered in an angelic way that has never been equally captured through four-part harmony. Not long after my introduction to Collabro, I had the fortune of interviewing the four young men that make up the group.  I soon learned that Michael Auger, Jamie Lambert, Matthew Pagan and Thomas J. Redgrave are not only extremely talented, but generous of spirit, kind, industrious, eloquent, and dedicated to their art of making showtunes sing with a special flair. It was a honor to speak to them and if their musical hadn’t already won me over, this interview would make me a fan for life. The announcement of their new album “Road to the Royal Albert Hall” was exciting news to me, but would it live up to expectations? 

Andrew Lloyd Webber Aside: The Best British Musicals to Hit Broadway

Andrew Lloyd Webber Aside: The Best British Musicals to Hit Broadway

Mark Robinson
Music That Makes Me Dance

Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals represent some of the biggest hits to come to Broadway via Great Britain, where they were created and mounted. Indeed, many London West End transfers with music by Sir ALW have had long runs; The Phantom of the Opera and Cats come to mind. There was a period in the 80’s and early 90’s where Webber was responsible for leading what was termed “The British Invasion”. But the knighted songsmith is not the only Brit to usher in some terrific musicals that found success on Broadway. Today’s column celebrates the best of the non-Webber British musicals to come to Broadway.

Gifts of Love: Holiday Wish List for Broadway Enthusiasts

Gifts of Love: Holiday Wish List for Broadway Enthusiasts

Mark Robinson
Top Ten, Music That Makes Me Dance

Whether we want to admit it or not, the holidays are here. Since tickets to Hamilton seem like an unlikely present this Christmas or Hanukkah (unless you bought them six months ago or don’t mind waiting until 2020 to see it), the Broadway musical enthusiast will have to look elsewhere for gift ideas to put on their wish list. Fortunately, there are a great many wonderful and unique options guaranteed to make every musical theatre fan a happy camper this holiday season.