One of my favorite things to do besides reading is listening to musicals, so of course I had to find a way to combine them into one blog post! This is a list of my favorite book-to-musical adaptations, since I feel like that’s a type of adaptation that’s rarely talked about, especially considering how much movie adaptations are discussed.
Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
I honestly think that this is one of the best book adaptations of all time. It’s based on a 70-page chunk of War and Peace, and it is wonderful. Composed by the genius Dave Malloy, who describes the sung-through musical as an “electropop opera,” the music combines an eclectic mix of genres, including Russian folk music, traditional showtunes, classical music, EDM, and indie rock. You also don’t need to have read War and Peace to like it; I listened to it before I started reading War and Peace, the musical works as a isolated story, and, because it is sung-through, the plot is really easy to understand due to every scene being included in the cast album.
Be More Chill
I have not read the book that this musical was based on, but it is a book adaptation, so it counts for this list. It’s the classic high school outcast wants to be popular, but in this musical, the protagonist gets a supercomputer in his brain who gradually takes over his life. Yes, it is a weird concept, but it’s good. There are a few weird songs and aspects, but when you get past that it’s good. It’s a more pop-music soundtrack than the other musicals on this list, and it doesn’t have the really intricate plots and lyrics as the others, but it’s still a fun listen, and it’s also funnier than most of the others.
Hamilton
I don’t think there’s anyone who still hasn’t heard of Hamilton, but if you’re one of the few who hasn’t, I’m glad to be the one to introduce you to it! It’s a hip-hop musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States of America, and, since Lin-Manuel Miranda based it on Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton, it is technically an adaptation of a book. It’s amazing, and Miranda’s synthesis of somebody’s entire life into one smooth, plot-driven musical was truly a work of genius. Hamilton is also sung-through, so you can easily understand it by listening to the album. Also, a professional recording is on Disney Plus, so if you have that streaming service, then you can watch it! Honestly, I’d recommend getting it for a month just to watch it, because it really does add a layer of depth to the music, and the Original Broadway Cast are all extraordinarily talented.
Hadestown
Okay, so this is actually an adaptation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but I figured that was literary enough to be included here. It’s set in the Great Depression, and the music is some combination of jazz and American folk music. It’s sung-through as well, so it’s understandable from listening to it, though reading a summary alongside listening to it might be helpful. It’s a beautifully-done adaptation, even though it does make me sad because it is a tragic myth. I never actually liked this myth before listening to Hadestown, and I still find Orpheus annoying for his obvious failure at the end, but the musical’s version of the story is lovely.
Into the Woods
Like Hadestown, this isn’t really based on a book, but it is based on a bunch of fairytales, so I consider that enough of a book adaptation to count for this list. It blends the stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Rapunzel, with background elements of other fairytales like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. The threads of all of these are tied together by the story of the Baker and his wife, because the Baker’s parents were cursed with infertility by a Witch, and they need to collect four ingredients to make a potion for her for her to reverse the curse; the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold. Thematically it’s about wishes and what actually constitutes a “happily ever after.” It’s by Stephen Sondheim, and the plot is genius. It isn’t sung-through, but if you’re really committed then you can probably understand the plot without a synopsis, though that might be helpful. There was also a movie adaptation that’s pretty good, so you can watch that if you’re interested.
Wicked
Like Be More Chill, I’ve never read the book Wicked that this was based on. I have read The Wizard of Oz though, which I suppose the musical can also be considered an adaptation of. If you’re not familiar with the plot, it follows Elphaba, who later grows up to be the Wicked Witch of the West. Every character is great and complex and not what you would expect at all. I highly recommend it. It isn’t sung-through, so you definitely need to read a synopsis to understand it. There’s also a movie coming out whose release date keeps getting pushed back; it’ll be at least 2022 before it’s released.
Les Misérables
This is one of the most well-known book adaptations, but it’s well worth mentioning. The songs are brilliant and make you want to join a revolution. I’m not going to describe the plot, but you should definitely give it a try, because it’s a classic for a reason.
A Very Potter Musical
I would be remiss to do a list of musical adaptations without mentioning a Starkid musical. It’s technically a parody of Harry Potter, but it actually does stay true to the heart of the stories in that it’s about the importance of friendship and platonic love and such. It’s hilarious, and, though not at all accurate to the plot of the books, blends different parts and plot points in really clever ways. The sequel, A Very Potter Sequel, also predicted the plot of Cursed Child several years early, so that’s interesting to look back on. Other bonuses include actually making Romione a viable ship, making Quirrelmort a canon couple (yes, you read that right), having Dumbledore being openly gay, and an actually amazing soundtrack. Plus, JK Rowling makes no money off of it, and the full videos for the three-part series are available for free from the creators on YouTube.
Matilda
Yes, this is an adaptation of the Roald Dahl book, and it’s wonderful. This was the only Roald Dahl story I ever liked going up, and the musical only improves on the original story. Matilda is characterized perfectly, but it’s really all of the other children who make the musical. It is so fun and smart, so just give this a listen.
Fun Home
This is an adaptation of Alison Bechdel’s graphic novel memoir by the same name, and covers her realization of her sexuality and her relationship with her father as she grows up. It’s not my favorite of the musicals on the list, nor does it have the best soundtrack, but it’s really important, and I recommend it.
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