Friday 5: 5 Musicals Based on Children's and Young Adult Books

  5 Musicals Based on

Children's and Young Adult Books

With the success of The Outsiders on Broadway these days, it got me to thinking about other musicals based on children's and young adult novels. There have been some major successes and some major flops in this sub-genre, as with any other, of course, but here are 5 of my favorites. Each are magical in their own way.

Book by T.S. Eliot

Musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Love it or hate it, Cats is a fantastical journey, whether its the more literal, traditional version - full feline make up and big piles of junk, or the more current drag ballroom kitties working the runway and posing their, um, tails off. People often forget that it all started with a book of cat-themed poems written by one of the world's greatest poets to be read to the little ones in his life. I have loved it since my first trip to the Jellicle Ball.

Book by Louisa May Alcott

Musical by Allan Knee, Jason Howland and Mindi Dickstein

While the musical version of this classic wasn't a success by most measures, it was like opening a treasure chest for me. I went into it knowing nothing. Zero. I knew only the title, so every moment was a prized discovery. The score is full of great numbers, clever and tuneful. And the demise of Beth came as a devastating surprise. I noisy-sobbed. Since then, I've read the book and have seen several film versions. My favorite? The Gerwig, with beautiful performances all around.

Book by Roald Dahl

Musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin

As a child, I loved the books of Roald Dahl, but Matilda was published well into my adulthood. I never saw the movie version of the book, either, so the events of the show were completely new to me. A beautifully fantastical show full of outrageous characters, stunning staging and choreography, and a technically impressive production, I laughed, cried and cheered like a delighted child. Its message is poignant with a not too subtle message about being an adult, too. One of my favorites of all time.

Book by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Musical by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon

At the risk of sounding sexist, this classic, like Little Women, escaped my boyish clutches. After seeing the utterly gorgeous production - beautiful costumes, stunning scenery and thrilling performances of a thrilling book and score - I made sure to read this wonderful novel. I was just as enamored of young Mary, her friends, family (relative and chosen) in the pages of the book as I was with the stage version. I hope a well-produced revival comes around sooner rather than later.

Book by Natalie Babbitt

Musical by Claudia Shear, Tim Federle, Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen

Somehow, I missed this novel completely, as well as any filmed versions of the work. So I went into this show with a completely blank slate. I adored this show which reveled in the wonder that only live theater can create. Unlike anything Casey Nicholaw has directed/choreographed before or since, its ballet centerpiece sticks with me all these years and shows later. The score was wonderful, the script tight and fun, it was a feast for the senses, the mind, and most importantly, the heart. I would love to see this again, and am still surprised by its very short run. I'm thankful that I got to see it.