Sara Newton
The Quick 10: 10 Broadway Musicals Based on Books
by Sara Newton - March 31, 2009 - 4:14 PM

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Broadway in Chicago recently held a conference on the topic of transforming books into Broadway Musicals, partially due to the success of “Wicked,” the longest running Broadway Musical in Chicago history. But “Wicked” wasn’t the first work of literature to be interpreted through song on the stage. Here are ten Broadway musicals based on books.

wicked1. “Wicked,“ “the untold story of the witches of Oz,” is based upon the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire, which parallels L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz.” The story follows the friendship of Glinda, the good witch, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and what transpired before Dorothy dropped in and started causing trouble. In 2003, “Wicked” opened in New York and quickly became a favorite among Broadway buffs, winning three Tony awards. Success birthed tours across the U.S. and productions worldwide. More than three million people have seen this play that imagines the lives of two “misunderstood” characters.
2. “Les Miserables” is my (and “American Psycho” Patrick Bateman’s) favorite Broadway Musical of all time! Based on one of my favorite books of all time, the 1862 classic by Victor Hugo, in 2006, “Les Miserables” officially became the longest running musical in London’s West End history. The original French version of the musical opened in 1980, but soon closed because of budget shortages, even though audiences loved it. In 1985, the Royal Shakespeare Company put on the first English production. Revolving around the themes of revolution and redemption, “Les Miserables” has been seen worldwide in dozens of languages.

3. “The Woman in White,” written by Wilkie Collins in 1859, was adapted by Andrew Lloyd Weber into a musical in 2004. Original star Michael Crawford, who played the grossly obese Count Fosco, had to be replaced by his understudy when he fell ill from over-sweating in the fat suit.

4. “Jane Eyre,” a musical based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, premiered in Wichita, Kansas, with many locals cast in chorus roles and the main characters performed by Broadway professionals. After the small-stage success, the musical slowly transitioned to the Broadway stage in 2000. “Jane Eyre” featured songs about blindness, because at the end of the novel, Mr. Rochester is stricken blind after his estate burns down.

cats5. I didn’t realize this previously, but “Cats” was based on a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot titled, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.” With music composed by Andrew Lloyd Weber—including the infamous “Memory”—the play and Eliot’s book of poems are whimsical takes on the psychological and sociological behaviors of anthromorphized cats, including Mr. Mistofoffelees, Skimbleshanks, and Grizabella. When Weber set the poems to music, little did he know “Cats “ would become the longest running musical in Broadway history, until another of his musicals (based upon a book) ,“The Phantom of the Opera,” broke the record.

6. Louisa May Alcott’s semi-autobiographical “Little Women” got the musical treatment as well. The show went through 55 previews before finally premiering at the Virginia Theatre on Broadway in 2005. Unfortunately, the reviews and reception were not positive and after 137 performances, Marmie, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy sang no more.

7. “Dracula” the musical, based on the novel by Bram Stoker, included such song favorites as “Fresh Blood.” Composer Frank Wildhorn, generally skewered by the Broadway community, also composed the score for “Jekyll and Hyde.” This attempt at a musical Victorian novel was met with disdain as well. Critics found the lyrics “unoriginal” and the plot hard to follow for those unfamiliar with Stoker’s novel. Only after the musical moved to Austria did it meet critical and commercial success.

8. “Lord of the Rings,” J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy series, has been adapted for the stage, complete with songs, several times. Despite being categorized as “musicals,” the creators scoffed when asked if their productions were “musical theater,” saying they created “theatrical adaptations with vital musical elements.” Regardless, it’s singing hobbits. Cincinnati, Ohio produced and staged all three books (LOTR, The Two Towers, and Return of the King) of the series, and gained much success

oliver9. “Oliver!” was loosely based on the novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, and gave us such quotes as, “Please, Sir, I want some mo’”! It premiered at London’s West End in 1960 and a London revival opened in 2009. Oliver! was one of the first musical adaptations of a book to become a stage hit, thus heightening interest in adapting other works of literature. Also, the show launched the careers of then child actors, Davy Jones (of The Monkees) and Phil Collins (of Genesis).
10. “My Fair Lady” is based on “Pygmalion,” a play written by George Bernard Shaw that tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney Englishwoman who learns how to pass as lady of society under the tutelage of Henry Higgins. The play opened in 1956, starring Rex Harrison and a previously unknown Julie Andrews, and soon earned the rave review of: “The Perfect Musical.” The musical’s title refers to one of Shaw’s provisional titles for “Pygmalion,”—Fair Eliza. Producers wanted to call the show “Lady Liza,” but soon realized that the marquee would read “Rex Harrison in Lady Liza” and soon settled on “My Fair Lady.”

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Comments (32)

  1. …why in the name of all things good and pure would someone turn LOTR into a ‘theatrican adaptation with vital musical elements’? SERIOUSLY. All I can think of is Gimli singing ‘Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Its off to Mordor we go! *insert whistling segment* Hi Ho! Hi ho Hi ho Hi Hoooo…’. The trauma…

    posted by Kate on 3-31-2009 at 4:27 pm

  2. One of my favorite books, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” was also turned into a musical by Frank Wildhorn. I thought it was much better than “Jekyll and Hyde,” but then I like the story better.

    posted by Kirsten on 3-31-2009 at 4:35 pm

  3. The Secret Garden was also made into musical, with Daisy Egan being awarded the Tony for Best Actress, thus becoming the youngest ever to have been given that honor.

    Also, trivia, John Cameron Mitchell of Hedwig and the Angry Inch fame originated the role of Dicken in that version.

    posted by Liz on 3-31-2009 at 4:37 pm

  4. chip the glasses and break the plates, that’s what bilbo baggins hates

    posted by antonio on 3-31-2009 at 4:42 pm

  5. “Wicked” totally devalued the book IMHO. None of the political subtext remained. Barely any of the postmodern spin of nature vs. nurture was seen…

    Book had it nailed. Musical pulled out the nail with a heavy handed hammer.

    posted by Kevin on 3-31-2009 at 4:50 pm

  6. I love live theater, but I hated “Cats.” The costumes were fabulous and the dancing was good, but I found it very hard to understand what was being sung and the story was, for lack of better words, stupid. Am I alone on this? I just didn’t get it.

    posted by bzzyb on 3-31-2009 at 5:21 pm

  7. How is Oliver! only “loosely” based on Oliver Twist? I recall only one significant omission. Otherwise the plot, characters, and setting are the same.

    posted by Zach on 3-31-2009 at 5:26 pm

  8. I found Lord of the Rings: The Musical a perfect example of the fact that being vastly entertaining is not at all the same thing as being good.

    Also, I have to second (third?) the Les Miserables love.

    posted by Hailey on 3-31-2009 at 5:34 pm

  9. Wicked: Loved the book, hated the musical. I was prepared for simplification of plot and combination of characters, but the ending left me slack-jawed in horror. No spoilers here.

    posted by Leisa on 3-31-2009 at 5:50 pm

  10. Kirsten thanks for mentioning “Jekyll and Hyde” I saw this with Lynda Eder and it was one of the first Broadway musicals that turned me on to show tunes. I also thought the Plot to “Cats” was odd but it was more of a vehicle for the dancing and the music. Which brings us to ALW’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” does that qualify as being based on a book?

    posted by Don on 3-31-2009 at 5:55 pm

  11. ‘Big River’, the adaptation of ‘Hucklberry Finn’ is one of my favorites – with music by Roger Miller (King of the Road) who also added (and sang) music to the Disney ‘Robin Hood’ as the rooster “Alan-a-Dale”

    posted by Steve on 3-31-2009 at 7:07 pm

  12. How could you leave out “Guys and Dolls,” based on the stories of Damon Runyon, for this list?

    Or “South Pacific” based on the book “Tales of the South Pacific” by James Michener?

    posted by Steven on 3-31-2009 at 7:51 pm

  13. “West Side Story”… Didn’t we all watch that in high school as an addendum to “Romeo and Juliet?”

    posted by Walter on 3-31-2009 at 8:26 pm

  14. Gypsy is based upon Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoirs

    posted by Lis on 3-31-2009 at 9:16 pm

  15. “Ragtime”, based on the book by E.L. Doctorow – great musical and great book, both underrated.

    posted by AJ on 3-31-2009 at 9:17 pm

  16. This list is missing two of the biggest stage musicals ever: The Phantom of the Opera, based on the novel by Gaston Leroux; and Les Miserables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo. Both were great works of literature long before they were smash hit musicals.

    posted by PW on 3-31-2009 at 9:18 pm

  17. How could this list not include The Phantom of the Opera (Gaston Leroux) and Les Miserables (Victor Hugo)? Two classic novels, and two of the biggest musical hits of all time.

    posted by Pat on 3-31-2009 at 9:25 pm

  18. PW: Les Miserables is listed in the number 2 spot on the list. Phantom of the Opera is also mentioned, although not in its own slot.

    posted by Rioux on 3-31-2009 at 10:48 pm

  19. Wuthering Heights was also made into a musical starring Leslie Garrett as Cathy…didnt see it, but the music isn’t half bad.

    And while we’re at it, we can’t forget one of the most awful musicals of all time, based on Stephen King’s tale of a girl, the prom, and some real bad PMS. Ha ha. “Carrie” was considered one THE worst musicals ever to come to B’way.

    posted by Marty on 3-31-2009 at 11:37 pm

  20. “Mame” was based on the book “Auntie Mame” by (I think) P.G. Wodehouse. Angela Landsbury and Lucille Ball have each portrayed the title character.

    I started to mention “Rogers and Hammersteins Cinderella”, realized it’s more a story than a book, decided “Once Upon a Mattress” and “Into the Woods” would fall into the same category, and finally settled on the idea that musicals based on fairy tales could be its own list.

    And just so this comment sheet stays balanced, I read “Wicked” prior to seeing the musical and GREATLY preferred the musical. The book was dry, somewhat boring, and didn’t really inspire me to care for any of the characters. The musical, though…I have some LOVE for the musical.

    posted by Chelsea on 4-1-2009 at 9:59 am

  21. What about “Man of La Mancha” – based on Don Quixote? An incredible muscial that has really stood the test of time and has wonderful songs….

    posted by ross on 4-1-2009 at 10:52 am

  22. If Ms. Newton mentioned ALL of the musicals based on books, this would be as long as the feature articles!

    posted by Sara in AL on 4-1-2009 at 11:20 am

  23. Actually “Mame” is based on the story Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis…

    And there are tons of books to musical (too many for one article…perhaps we need more?).

    Just to name a few:

    If you’re going for the Bible: Joseph & The Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell

    Shakespeare: West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, Two Gentleman of Verona, The Boys From Syracuse

    “Literature”: Working, Ragtime, Carrie (I believe it ran for 8 performances and I knew someone who attended nearly all of them!), South Pacific, The Sound of Music (yes, it’s based on Maria’s autobiography — the line of up children is a bit funny as in the show Lisel is the oldest while in reality the eldest was a boy), Big River, Mary Poppins, Little Mermaid…

    I’m going on way too long!

    posted by Beth on 4-1-2009 at 12:00 pm

  24. My grandmother used to read me Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats back in the day. I didn’t know Cats was based on it either, until I saw it for the first time and realized I knew all the words.

    posted by Alison on 4-1-2009 at 12:15 pm

  25. Bzzyb, you are not alone in hating Cats. I thought it was completely stupid! The set was cool, with the over-sized bits of garbage (cereal boxes, etc), but there really was no plot, just a bunch of random songs and cats dancing about. Give me Les Mis or Phantom any day over Cats!!

    posted by MW on 4-1-2009 at 12:27 pm

  26. What about some more classic musicals…Showboat was based on a novel. Its a classic. Cole Porter’s “Kiss Me Kate” is based around “The Taming of the Shrew” As a musical enthusiast, I was rather disappointed by this list. Lil’ Abner was based on the famous comic strip. Let’s re-do this list with some classical musicals…

    posted by Lou on 4-1-2009 at 2:35 pm

  27. I think some people need to chill. The title of this article says “The Quick 10,” not “every musical ever based on a book, particularly *your* favorite”!

    Great list! I have to wonder what some people were thinking to turn certain books into musicals, but to each his own.

    posted by Raesamm on 4-1-2009 at 3:56 pm

  28. I’m glad I’m not the only one who preferred the musical of Wicked to the novel. Gregory Macguire is one of my favorite authors, and I loved Son of a Witch, but the book was rather dry. And the music! I’m a theater nerd anyway, but I absolutely fell in love with the music in Wicked. I was one of the first to see it (relatively speaking), I think either right after it opened or while it was still in previews in NY-I’d seen the billboard, freaked because I knew the story and begged my dad to buy tix. Well worth it to see the show with the original cast.

    posted by Kate on 4-1-2009 at 4:16 pm

  29. No one has said Sweeney Todd?
    No one? It was based on a penny novel.
    Back in the day…
    They had a panic because some people thought it could be true?
    No? No one?

    posted by Isabella on 4-1-2009 at 8:29 pm

  30. ““Ragtime”, based on the book by E.L. Doctorow – great musical and great book, both underrated. — posted by AJ”

    I totally agree, and I’m pissed that it didn’t make the list.

    posted by Angel H. on 4-2-2009 at 12:47 pm

  31. What about Phantom of the Opera? I’m surprised no one’s said it. Phantom of the Opera is based on a novel by Gaston Leroux called Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, aka French for Phantom of the Opera.

    posted by Faith S on 6-1-2009 at 10:28 pm

  32. Could you tell me who was the approx 1960 understudy for Julie Andrews in My Fair Lady? I think her first name was Julie too?

    Our 1960 8th grad NJ class went to NYC for the musical. We had studied the story and music for 2 weeks. Sat down in the theatre, curtain was rising. They announced that Andrews would not perform that afternoon. What a disappointment. But the understudy was just as good. Who was she? Glen gpierce9@comcast.net

    posted by Glen Pierce on 3-2-2010 at 1:00 am

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