Special FeaturesHow to Enjoy Your Favorite Stage Stars From Your Couch All MonthThe movies and TV shows every theatre fan should tune into online and on the small screen this February.
By
Ruthie Fierberg
January 31, 2017
Theatre-related Streaming This Month
More platforms than ever are streaming titles for theatre-lovers to get excited about. Plus, series and specials on the small screen dip into the pool of theatre talent—so tune in to watch your favorite stars. Here are the movies, television series, and specials streaming on Netflix, Hulu, and Sundance, plus what to look out for on the major networks beginning February 1.
NETFLIX Magic Mike, February 1 The Steven Soderbergh movie about male strippers starring Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, and Matthew McConaughey is currently in development as a musical by Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then), and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (American Psycho).
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, February 11 The Emmy-winning musical comedy series from co-creators Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna will stream its second season online this month. Expect more hilarious musical numbers from songwriters Bloom, Adam Schlesinger, and Jack Dolgen, and choreography by Kathryn Burns. The show also stars Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd) and Vincent Rodriguez III (Here Lies Love).
HULU Rent, February 1 In 2005, the rock musical phenomenon Rent hit the silver screen. Starting February 1, the movie version of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical will stream on Hulu. The film stars much of the original Broadway cast including, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, and Taye Diggs.
Groundhog Day,Leaving Hulu February 28 You have a month left to watch the Bill Murray comedy that inspired the upcoming musical adaptation, opening on Broadway April 17. Tony nominee Tim Minchin (Matilda The Musical) provides music and lyrics to the book by Danny Rubin. Directed by Matthew Warchus, Tony nominee Andy Karl fills Murray’s shoes.
SUNDANCE NOW Heathers,February 13 The 1988 cult film was adapted for the stage by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy in 2014. Return to the musical’s roots settle in for a night of croquet and murder with Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, and Shannen Doherty.
A Man of No Importance, February 20 Another inspiration for a musical adaptation, A Man of No Importance follows an amateur theatre troupe in Dublin and their leader who is determined to stage a production of Salome in the town’s church—but the clergy isn’t happy about it. Starring Albert Finney, the movie became fodder for the musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty with a book by Terrence McNally, which bowed Off-Broadway in 2002 and earned Steven Pasquale (The Bridges of Madison County) a Drama Desk nomination.
CBS Superior Donuts, February 2 The television series based on Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts—which earned star Jon Michael Hill a Tony nomination—stars Judd Hirsch and Jermaine Fowler. The comedy will move to its regular Monday 9 PM ET timeslot after the premiere.
Doubt, February 15 From former Grey’s Anatomy writers Tony Phelan and Joan Rater comes this drama starring Katherine Heigl, Steven Pasquale, and Laverne Cox, in which Heigl plays an attorney who becomes involved with her (possibly guilty) client, played by Pasquale. Pasquale most recently won a Lortel Award for his leading performance in The Robber Bridegroom, while Cox (Orange Is the New Black) played Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the Fox musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again.
The Good Fight,February 19 The spinoff from the hit drama The Good Wife premieres on CBS starring two-time Tony winner Christine Baranski, plus stage favorites Cush Jumbo (Taming of the Shrew), Sarah Steele (Speech & Debate, The Humans) and three-time Tony winner Bernadette Peters. After the network premiere, the show will air on the CBS All Access app.
NBC The Blacklist, Feb 23 Blacklist lead James Spader has appeared on Broadway—in 2009’s Race—but theatre fans may be more excited to see theatre actors in guest roles on the action series. Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell announced during the Party Line at BroadwayCon that he will be appearing on the show later this spring.
ABC The 89th Academy Awards, February 26 Yes, it’s an awards show for movies, but, this year includes nominations for numerous theatre stars and properties inspired by theatre. Denzel Washington, nominated for his performance in Fences, won a Tony in 2010 for the same role onstage. His Tony-winning co-star Viola Davis is also up for the movie in the supporting actress category, and the film earned a nod for Best Picture. Movie musical La La Land with lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul leads with 14 nominations, including two nominations for Best Original Song. Moonlight, based on a story by playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, is nominated for Best Picture, among others. Manchester By the Sea, by This Is Our Youth playwright Kenneth Lonnergan, also competes for Best Picture and Best Director among others. Moana with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda is nominated for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Original Song for Miranda’s “How Far I’ll Go.”
When We Rise, February 27 This miniseries chronicling the gay rights movement in America stars Guy Pearce, Mary Louise-Parker (Heisenberg), Michael K. Williams, Rachel Griffiths, and Ivoery Aquino. Guest stars slated for the show include Broadway powerhouses David Hyde Pierce, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, and Denis O’Hare.
Filmed in 2023, the one-night-only event featured Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Peter Friedman, and more from the Ahrens and Flaherty musical's original cast.
