Films to Rent For Fans of Broadway Musicals

Good DVDs to Rent Provide Their Own Broadway Theater Tickets

Jun 11, 2009

Looking for films to rent that will leave you dancing and humming catchy tunes? Then check out this list of DVDs to rent for fans of Broadway plays.

Nothing can compare to the thrill of getting a pair of Broadway theater tickets and experiencing your favorite Broadway musicals live. There’s just something great about dressing up for a night out, seeing (and hearing) actors perform your favorite Broadway plays live, and maybe even scoring an autograph or two after the show.

That said, if Broadway musical tickets aren’t in your budget, renting DVDs of Broadway musicals can also be an enjoyable way to spend an evening – and can offer certain advantages over seeing Broadway musicals live. Unlike folks stuck in the nosebleed theater section, renting DVDs lets you see the actors up close and from multiple angles. And while it’s always great to see your actors live, it’s also nice to see great performers like Julie Andrews and Yul Bryner immortalized in DVDs.

Here then is a list of DVDs to rent when you’re in a mood for high quality Broadway musicals – for a fraction of the budget.

A blockbuster success as both a Broadway musical and movie, The Sound of Music is known for its catchy songs (even people who haven’t seen the musical have heard My Favorite Things and Do-Re-Mi) as well as its funny and romantic story.

In 1930s Austria, Maria (Julie Andrews), a young woman training to be a nun, is sent to the home of widower Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) to be the governess for his seven rowdy children. Although the children initially resent Maria, her free spirit and love of singing (ironically the same qualities that made her a poor nun) win their affections, as well as the Captain’s love. But before they can reach a happy ending, the Captain is drafted into Nazi Germany’s navy, forcing the von Trapp family to flee Austria.

A fictionalized account of the real Maria von Trapp’s memoirs, The Sound of Music has been charming audiences since it first opened on Broadway in 1959. Julie Andrews’ performance as Maria is excellent, while the movie’s cinematography of Austria adds a beautiful new dimension to the musical. One of the rare DVDs to rent that’s always sure to please everyone.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet gets a contemporary makeover in this Broadway musical about rival gangs and star crossed lovers.

Ever since the Sharks, an immigrant Puerto Rican gang, arrived in New York, they’ve been fighting a turf battle with the Jets, a white American gang. But when ex-Jet gang member Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), the sister of one of the Sharks, fall in love, their relationship stirs up even greater feelings of hate among the gangs, leading to several deaths.

Often seen as a morality play about racial intolerance as well as a new interpretation of classic literature, West Side Story also offers numerous memorable songs, from the breakaway pop hit Somewhere to the equally catchy tunes I Feel Pretty and Tonight. A Broadway musical hit since 1957, this engaging play makes a great DVD rental.

Yul Brynner, who starred in the original 1951 The King and I Broadway play gives an electric performance in this movie, which also features Deborah Karr and Rita Moreno.

When English woman Anna (Deborah Karr) arrives in Siam to teach the children of the King (Yul Brynner), she finds herself constantly at odds with the King, who desires knowledge but cannot reconcile the different truths believed by different cultures. Despite their antagonism, the two develop genuine affection for each other – but when the King discovers Anna has been helping one of his wives escape with her lover, his fury threatens both his relationship with Anna and the future of Siam.

Brynner’s magnetism is truly riveting in the movie – whether he’s being comedic or threatening, his performance exudes a power that grabs audiences and doesn’t let go. Karr also provides an effective foil for Brynner, and delivers some of the musical’s best-known songs, including Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance? A popular DVD rental for Broadway musical fans in the mood for great performances.

The copyright of the article Films to Rent For Fans of Broadway Musicals in Classic Film Musicals is owned by Michael Jung. Permission to republish Films to Rent For Fans of Broadway Musicals in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.