Top 5 Off-Broadway Musicals to Stream in 2022
It's not just Broadway musicals anymore - in recent years we've been witnessing a growing trend of off-Broadway producers willing to film their shows to generate greater brand awareness. While off-Broadway musicals are typically considered not to have as much commercial appeal as full-on Broadway productions, sometimes the only difference between the two will be the number of seats in the theater. What separates Broadway and off-Broadway is a simple ruling from the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers that defines off-Broadway as being a "professional venue in Manhattan with a seating capacity of at least 100, but not more than 499". Due to their limited commercial appeal, off-Brodway productions tend to feature more daring works or ones that benefit from being presented in an intimate setting, creating a unique connection between the show and the audience. We've collected our top 5 off-Broadway musicals to stream in 2022: John & Jen, a little gem of a musical, was captured for posterity in London last year starring Olivier nominee Rachel Tucker (Come From Away) and Lewis Cornay. Based on the original 1995 off-Broadway production (also revived in 2015 starring Kate Baldwin and Conor Ryan), the show features a touching score by Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party). John & Jen tells the story of the relationships between John and Jen, brother and sister, and then, after John is killed in Vietnam, between Jen and her son John. While not a widely known musical, the intimacy captured in this filming together with the fantastic casting is really making this a must-watch. The film is directed by Austin Shaw, known for producing other filmed shows such as the recent Anything Goes with Sutton Foster. Stream Rachel Tucker in John & Jen now! How far would you go to get what you want? Talented eight-year-old Tina Denmark will do anything to play the lead in her school musical. Anything! Ruthless! famously spoofs Broadway musicals from Gypsy to Mame as well as iconic films including All About Eve and The Bad Seed. The hilarious musical premiered off-Broadway in 1992 and discovered mega stars Britney Spears and Natalie Portman (which understudied leading lady, Laura Bell Bundy). The show went on to win the New York Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical and played for more than 350 performances. After years of being a community theater favorite, the show made its West End debut at the Arts Theatre in 2018 and was filmed by Liberator Film Services (42nd Street, An American in Paris, and Kinky Boots). It's a laugh-out-loud musical that shouldn't be missed - and watch out for Tracie Bennett's (Follies) terrific performance as Lita Encore! You can stream Ruthless! now online. Daddy Long Legs, from producer Ken Davenport, will forever hold the record for the first off-Broadway musical to be live streamed worldwide. While the show did not have a successful run off-Broadway at the Davenport Theatre, the producer's decision to broadcast the show in 2015 resulted in viewers from more than 130 countries being exposed to "Daddy Long Legs", a little-known intimate musical. The digital capture was later sold to BroadwayHD and became part of their musicals catalog. Set in turn-of-the-century New England, this musical tells the story of orphan Jerusha Abbott and her mysterious benefactor who agrees to send her to college, who she dubs 'Daddy Long Legs' after seeing his shadow. Under the conditions of her benefactor, Jerusha sends him a letter once a month, describing her experiences with life outside the orphanage. You can stream the original broadcast of Daddy Long Legs now online. I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change by Joe DiPietro (Diana the Musical, Memphis the Musical) is perhaps one of the most successful off-Broadway musicals, ever. It is currently the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical based on its original NYC run at the Westside Theatre. The musical opened in 1996 and ran for more than 5,000 performances closing more than a decade later. The "romantic revue" follows the highs and lows of first dates, first loves, marriages, babies, in-laws, and growing old together. This filmed production was captured at London's Coliseum during the industry shutdown in 2020 and stars Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton, Aladdin), Brenda Edwards, Alice Fearn, and Oliver Tompsett. While not a fully staged production, it really captures the heart of this romantic show. Stream the mega-hit I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! Based on the cult 1984 B-Movie, The Toxic Avenger The Musical tells the story of the citizens of Tromaville who are crying out for a hero. Nerdy Melvin Ferd the Third is determined to clean up the state’s major toxic waste problem. When a corrupt Mayor hears of his plans, she vows to stop this heroic feat. Melvin is attacked and tossed into a vat of toxic waste... transforming him instantly into The Toxic Avenger, New Jersey’s first superhero! Toxie is a 7-foot mutant freak with superhuman strength and a supersized heart to match. His aims are to save heavily polluted New Jersey, end global warming, win the heart of the prettiest (blindest) librarian in town - and get home in time for dinner! The rocking score of The Toxic Avenger is what really made us fall in love with this fun musical. The book of the musical was written by Joe DiPietro with music by David Bryan (the same team that worked on Memphis the Musical and Diana the Musical - but trust us, this is better than Diana!). The show premiered off-Broadway in 2009 and played New World Stages for more than 300 performances. Liberator Film Services (Kinky Boots, The King and I, An American in Paris) filmed The Toxic Avenger during its run at the Arts Theatre in London for BroadwayHD (which produced the film). The cast included Emma Salvo, Oscar Morrey, Ben Irish, Natalie Hope, and Che Francis. Stream The Toxic Avenger The Musical now!
John & Jen (2021)
Ruthless! (2019)
Daddy Long Legs (2015)
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (2021)
The Toxic Avenger (2018)