Musicals Magazine - December 2024

As Stephen Schwartz’s global phenomenon Wicked arrives on the big screen starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Matt Wolf goes behind the scenes to talk to the remarkable creatives paying homage to the iconic visuals of the stage show while bringing their own distinctive thumbprints to the film medium. From growing nine million tulips in Norfolk for the field scenes to adding high kicks for Glinda, their vision is unlimited!

Swings, the performers who understudy the entire ensemble, are the backbone of Musical Theatre but what exactly does their job entail? David Jays delves into the nitty-gritty of one of the most challenging roles in Musical Theatre.

The end of 2024 is nigh and Julia Rank counts down Musicals’ top 20 productions of the year, featuring highlights from the West End, the UK’s regional theatres, Broadway and beyond. What will take the top spot?

Musical Theatre legend Elaine Paige returns to our pages celebrating the shows that revolutionised Musical Theatre. This month, she takes a spin on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s gloriously heart-breaking Carousel, which turns 80 in 2025.

The West End transfer of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe’s new musical Becoming Nancy and the touring production of Chicago are among our UK show reviews – and don’t miss our reviews of the Broadway transfer of Sunset Boulevard and Off-Broadway horror musical Teeth.

Our Musical Theatre-themed books special includes reviews of a fascinating collection of essays about Hamilton, an engaging guide to the greatest Broadway songs since 1891, and an elegant history of the Tony Awards – the perfect inspiration for Christmas gifting.