The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants is Broadway-bound but here are five other mid-2000s romcoms that need to be a musical ASAP
Here comes the much awaited good news for all those bonded by sisterhood: 'The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants,' is now turning into a Broadway musical. The 2005 series starring Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Blake Lively, is currently being crafted for a full-fledged stage adaptation. Though the release date hasn't been confirmed, it is reported that Blue Spruce, led by Scott Delman, has acquired the live theatrical rights from Alcon Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment, and the musical will soon be out.
The film follows the story of four best friends who spend summer apart but remain tightly knit, in a pre-Whatsapp era, as one magical jeans fit them all, ensuing drama and heartbreaks. The second sequel came in 2008 and very recently Alexis announced that she and rest of the reel sisters had pitched the third film to follow up. We never knew what was missing until we realized that dance would only complete the traveling of magic jeans and high school drama.
Talking about high school drama turned musical, the recent success of 'Mean Girls' Broadway had people raving about screen-to-stage rendition. Broadway Mean Girls that premiered in April racked up 12 Tony nominations and it still continues to be the talk of the town. They have established the trend of going from screen to stage rather than the other way round. While it looks like all the mid-2000s teen-girl comedy can be made into a superb musical, here are our top 5 picks that we can't wait to watch live on stage.
1. The Princess Diaries
The 2001 teen romantic comedy featuring Anne Hathaway redefined the idea of a princess and romantic comedy in a series of hilarious episodes. It all starts when a nerdy teenager discovers that she is the heir to the throne of Genovia, a kingdom ruled by her grandmother Queen dowager Clarisse Renaldi. As her life changes, her popularity grows along with a striking beauty transformation, the story of Princess Mia is so relevant now, 17 years down the line. Why? Meghan Markle of course, as the American actress recently turned to become a British royalty and Netflix has the film trending on the network.
There's an interesting plot there in the film, something people can connect to even more now, so there isn't any reason why this film shouldn't translate into Broadway. In fact, the author of 'Princess Diaries,' Meg Cabot, said in an interview to EW last year that she is hoping to see that happen: “The one thing I’m really hoping for is a musical, so I hope we have a Broadway musical.”
"Obviously, somebody has to write the music and lyrics, and I’m not gonna do that because that’s not where my talents lie. So I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that someday we’re gonna get one of those. That would be so fun,” she added.
2. John Tucker Must Die
The film that grossed $68 million worldwide needs to come back again because it meant so much to the teenagers battling heartaches back then. The 2006 movie came swiftly as a guide on how to serve revenge cold. The film follows the story of three girls who plot to break the heart of a manipulative basketball star John Tucker. Tucker has been secretly dating all three and pledging each is "the one" and when they find out about his douchebaggery, they recruit a new cute wallflower, Kate Spencer, and scheme to publicly humiliate Tucker. Imagine the songs and the lyrics that would come out of a John Tucker musical? Pretty sure it will be a hit with a chorus calling out "John Tucker Must Die." Savage would be the title.
3. A Walk to Remember
There were few talks about one of the best love stories of Nicholas Sparks turning into a musical and starring Janel Parrish from 'Pretty Little Liars.' But there wasn't any buzz about the musical because it was hardly Broadway. This movie needs to get another lifeline because a love story as beautiful and tearjerking as 'A Walk to Remember' deserves to remain immortal. The 2002 classic is based on Spark's 1999 book of the same name, where Landon, a popular high school guy falls in love with a reverend's daughter, Jamie Sullivan. Though they have nothing in common, they gradually start falling in love despite Jamie warning Landon. Their relationship is fraught with adversities but the biggest heart-wrenching moment comes out when Jamie's secret is revealed; she is dying of cancer. There are quotes and dialogues unlike any other so a musical journey on this would not only heighten our emotions but basically make our hearts bleed. And that is something we need in art. Don't we?
4. She's The Man
Inspired by William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, it is baffling that no one thought about turning 'She's The Man' into Broadway. It ticks every box for a successful stage musical. From drama to humor, to eye candies, to action and to disguise. The 2006 film starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, centers on teenager Viola Hastings who enters her brother's school in his place, disguised as a boy, in order to play in the soccer team after her team gets cut at her school. Dialogues are funny and the scenes are even funnier. Remember the spider scene when Viola hugs Duke (Channing Tatum) and he screams just as loud? The musical there would be delightfully hilarious. Olivia would have her own beautiful lyrics after falling for Viola, who is disguised as Sebastian. Sebastian, who is Viola, would have her own secret feelings pouring out in music for Duke. And Duke, who likes Olivia and later falls in love with Viola would have his own sense of entitlement to his emotions.
5. 13 Going on 30
It is high time that the 2004 hit romantic comedy 13 Going on 30 be turned into a Broadway musical because it has all the required elements to score a stage hit- there's comedy, there's romance and there's magic. The story is of a 13-year-old Jenna, who wishes to escape the peer pressure and humiliation of middle school. On her birthday, she is transformed overnight to a 30-year-old career woman with the help of magic dust. The elder Jenna has everything she ever wanted except for her childhood best friend Matt. She later learns the reason why and when she transforms again into a teenager, she realizes that life is so much more than high school popularity. Life gives her a second chance. Now, who doesn't want a touch of the 'wishing dust' in a live performance on stage? We sure need the magic dust, not just to see but also to smell.