The Literary Roots of Broadway: the 19th Century Edition

      The singing, dancing, color, and spectacle of Broadway shows  have some deep literary roots.

  Much of the inspiration for some of today’s biggest shows has come from the pages of 19th century literature. The Phantom of the Opera which is currently the longest running show on Broadway was adapted from the novel The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4290983~S50 The musical is inspired by the novel, but the book does not have the same lushly romantic sensiblity. “Phans”, however should give it a read! Phantom of the Opera recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special concert performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4483037~S84 Phantom also made the transition to the big screen in 2004 http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3664138~S50 While nothing truly captures the feeling of being at the live performance the DVDs and CD recording http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1806549~S50 offer a unique viewing and listening experience of their own!

Jane Eyre, the novel by Charlotte Bronte was adapted into a well done, but sadly short lived, musical. Due to time constraints the majority of the production focused on Jane and Rochester’s relationship. Fortunately, the show survives on CD http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3061195~S84 and one of the songs was performed at the Tony award with the original cast. Watch it here: http://youtu.be/9z8M6CGWFKI There is some great music and it is well worth a listen.

Another short lived musical with a nineteenth century novel as inspiration was The Woman in White based on the book of the same name by Wilkie Collins http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3737000~S50  The novel was considered to be the first detective story ever written, however that fact was not enough to keep the musical on Broadway. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music, which can be heard on it the soundtrack CD http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3655141~S84

Charles Dickens has actually made it to Broadway several times.His debut was the production of Oliver! based on his novel Oliver Twist http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1654133~S50 “Oliver” first made its debut in London in 1960 and premiered on Broadway in the United States in 1963. The show has been revived once again the US in 1983, and has had several British revivals and is touring in the UK currently. Samantha Barks, who portrayed Eponine in the film version of Les Miserables, played the lead female role of Nancy in the traveling production. The musical was made into a film in 1968 http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2939346~S50

Dickens’  beloved Christmas Carol http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2241226~S50 ran for ten consecutive years during the holiday season at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden. Scrooge was portrayed by a variety of actors Walter Charles (the original Scrooge), Terrence Mann, Tony Roberts, F. Murray Abraham, and Roger Daltry have all played the ultimate curmudgeon that “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner” Ebenezer Scrooge. The show may be over, but it is available on CD http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2239708~S84 Give it a listen this holiday season!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood is based on the unfinished novel of the same name by Charles Dickens http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1295513~S50 first made its Broadway debut in 1985. It has been recently revived in October 2012 and closed in March of 2013.  The show is unlike any other, as it is up to the audience to decide who murdered Edwin Drood. A clever idea which really makes the audience part of the production. The first Broadway cast soundtrack CD only features a handful of the possible outcomes http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b1988733~S84, but listeners can get a sense of how it would be have been. The revival cast can be heard here: http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4611782~S84 and the revival added the additional murderer’s “confessions”. Great musical fun that left Broadway too soon!

Jekyll and Hyde, the short story by Robert Louis Stevenson http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2195953~S50 got the musical treatment by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse. The story has been expanded beyond the original novel and focuses more on romance than the true horror of the novel. While critics panned the show during its original Broadway run and its recent revival fared no better in the press. The show has a dedicated fan base, known as Jekkies. The first CD of the show http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b2410807~S50 featured the incredible voice of Linda Eder (the then wife of Frank Wilhorn) and is well worth a listen. The show in its first incarnation  was recorded live with David Hassellhoff in the title role so viewers can get a sense of the original Broadway production http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b3870387~S50

One of the biggest and best known musicals on this list is Les Miserables. Originally written in French it was translated into English where it became the musical powerhouse it is today. It has been translated into twenty one languages. It has had two major concert versions, one for its 10th anniversary http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4006771~S84 which featured many of the original British and American casts and again for its 25th Anniversary http://alpha2.suffolk.lib.ny.us/record=b4348665~S50 (warning it has a Jonas brother as Marius so watch at your own risk). It has also crossed onto the big screen with an all star cast, but the film version’s musical presentation fails to match that of the stage. However no one can top the original Jean Valjean portrayed by Colm Wilkinson. Listen to his performance of “God on High” here: http://youtu.be/qsYnhVITf9E

There are many ways to enjoy Broadway shows! Fans can listen to the soundtrack, watch filmed concerts or movie adaptations, or read the original story. If you need any assistance in locating your choices, please speak to the reference librarian who will be happy to help you.