Musical theater allows people to leave their day-to-day lives at the door and immerse themselves in new and exciting stories. And while trips to the theater are postponed for the near future, the stories and songs are still in reach. Here is a list of some of our favorite shows that have come (or will come) to Walton Arts Center that are available to stream online in the form of live recordings, musical movies and animated films.
Les Misérables (HBO)
Les Misérables has been seen at Walton Arts Center in the 2004-05, 2010-11 and 2018-19 seasons. This musical totes iconic ballads like I Dreamed a Dream and On My Own. You can watch the film adaptation of this legendary story of liberation and hope with a subscription to HBO.
Freestyle Love Supreme (Amazon)
Before Hamilton and In the Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda was riffing in Freestyle Love Supreme. This unique show is coming to WAC as a part of our 2020-21 Broadway series and takes on a different form every night as cast members work with the audience to create improvised riffs and full-length musical numbers. You can purchase episodes of the 30-minute TV show on Amazon.
Falsettos (Amazon)
Set in 1980’s New York, Falsettos tells the story of a gay man navigating his complicated relationships with his former-wife, their son and his boyfriend. Walton Arts Center launched a tour of the 2016 Broadway revival by playing host to the production’s technical rehearsals and preview performances in the 2018-19 season. You can stream the show on Amazon Prime.
Shrek the Musical (Netflix)
Shrek the Musical is a hilarious adaptation of the hit 2001 animated movie Shrek. The show has all of the charm and wit of the original movie plus infectious musical numbers that tie it all together. Featured in the 2012-13 Broadway series at WAC, this show is perfect for the whole family and can be streamed on Netflix.
The Sound of Music (Disney+)
The Sound of Music graced Baum Walker Hall in both our 1996-97 and 2017-18 seasons. The iconic 1965 film version of this story featuring Julie Andrews is still considered the most successful movie musical of all time and can be streamed on Disney+
Hairspray (Netflix)
Hairspray tells an inspiring story about love and acceptance as it follows Tracy Turnblad on her journey to becoming a dancing sensation. Along the way, Tracy works to bring together a racially-divided Baltimore. The show was performed at WAC in our 2007-08 and 2009-10 seasons. The 2007 film adaptation starring Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, John Travolta and others is available for streaming on Netflix.
Photo by Paul Kolnik retrieved from Playbill.com
Photo by Matt Henry (Matt Crockett) retrieved from
Kinky boots (broadwayhd)
Based on a true story, Kinky Boots tells then unlikely tale of how a shoe factory owner named Charlie and a fabulous drag queen named Lola collaborated to save Charlie’s family business. You can watch a live recording of this inspiring musical with a subscription to BroadwayHD (which offers a 7 day free trial)!
Other Broadway hits
While these performances have yet to make their way to the Walton Arts Center, they are fantastic shows and movies that you can enjoy from anywhere.
Into the Woods (Amazon and Disney+)
Into the Woods is a whimsical mash-up of Brothers Grimm fairy tales like Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood set to fan-favorite songs like Agony and No One is Alone. The original Broadway production of Into The Woods was filmed and can be purchased on Amazon for $4.99 or rented for just $2.99! The 2014 film adaptation starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick and more is available on Disney+.
Photo by Martha Swope retrieved from Playbill.com
Photo by Deen van Meer retrieved from playbill.com
Newsies (Disney+)
Newsies is a high-energy production based on a 1992 film of the same name, which is in turn based on the New York City Newsboy Strike of 1899. This show is known for its flashy choreography and full-bodied tracks. The musical’s national tour was filmed with original Broadway stars Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay and Andrew Keenan Bolger and is available to stream on Disney+.
Phantom of the Opera (Hulu)
This musical classic is based off the French novel by Gaston Lerox that goes by the same name. Telling a story of mystery and love, the film adaptation of the musical can be streamed on Hulu.
Photo by Matthew Murphy retrieved from playbill.com