Staying Fit
Lin-Manuel Miranda (left) as Alexander Hamilton in the filmed version of the original Broadway production, "Hamilton," and Bruce Springsteen stars in "Springsteen on Broadway."
Disney+; Kevin Mazur/Netflix
Broadway recently announced that it won't reopen its doors until at least June 2021. While there are plenty of ways to view filmed versions of old musicals and plays online (check out BroadwayHD), the shutdown means that it'll be much harder to get your fix of cutting-edge new theatrical works. Luckily, some of the most lauded shows of the past five seasons — from Pulitzer-winning musicals to whip-smart comedy specials to innovative concerts — have been filmed for posterity, and many are available to stream on your favorite platforms. Here is a watchlist for theater lovers that will hopefully get you over the hump until you can plan your next big trip to the Great White Way.
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The Show: American Utopia
Performances: Oct, 4, 2019–Feb. 16, 2020 at the Hudson Theatre
Why You Should Watch: Former Talking Heads singer David Byrne, 68, made a name for himself in the 1970s and ‘80s for his innovative and artful approach to pop music, and his outsize spirit of creativity is on full display in this theatrical concert, which British music magazine NME wrote “just may be the best live show of all time.” Byrne is joined onstage by 11 musicians from around the world, who dance, march, sing and play for 100 minutes of perpetual motion. It's all captured on film by another New York legend, director Spike Lee, 63.
You'll Love It If You Like: the 1984 Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense.
Where to Watch: American Utopia, on HBO and HBO Max
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The Show: What the Constitution Means to Me
Performances: March 14, 2019–Aug. 24, 2019 at the Hayes Theater
Why You Should Watch: In this warm and thought-provoking one-woman show, playwright Heidi Schreck recreates Constitutional debate speeches she delivered as a teen to earn scholarship money from the American Legion. You'll learn a ton about the namesake founding document, as well as immigration, women's equality, domestic abuse, and the Supreme Court — topics that seem more important than ever just before the election. The show went on to be nominated for best play at the Tonys and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
You'll Love It If You Like: the Emmy-winning special Nanette by Australian standup comedian Hannah Gadsby.
Where to Watch: What the Constitution Means to Me, on Amazon Prime
The Show: Freestyle Love Supreme
Performances: Sept. 13, 2019–Jan. 12, 2020 at the Booth Theatre
Why You Should Watch: Back while he was working on In the Heights in 2005, Lin-Manuel Miranda cofounded the improvisational hip-hop comedy musical group Freestyle Love Supreme, with a rotating cast that included Wayne Brady and Hamilton's Daveed Diggs and Chris Jackson. If you missed their short run of Broadway performances this year, watch the Hulu documentary We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, which includes behind-the-scenes footage and performances filmed over the past 15 years.
You'll Love It If You Like: Hamilton and Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Where to Watch: We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, on Hulu
The Show: Mike Birbiglia: The New One
Performances: Oct. 25, 2018–Jan. 20, 2019 at the Cort Theatre
Why You Should Watch: You might know Birbiglia from his many stand-up specials or his appearances in films like Trainwreck and TV shows like Orange Is the New Black. In his latest autobiographical one-man show — his first on Broadway — he charts his unlikely path to parenthood; he has a long way to go, considering that he starts by rattling off seven specific reasons he'll never have a child. If the show strikes a chord with you, check out the companion book he wrote with his wife, poet Jen Stein.
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