Kestrel! and 10 Other Books That Need To Be Made Into Musicals Now

Last Thursday, Pottermore announced on Twitter that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is coming to Broadway in Spring 2018. In honor of this exciting announcement, I have made a list of the top ten books that I think would be amazing musicals.

As you might know, I love musicals. I adore the stories, the music, the symbolism, the characters, and the themes. Ninety nine point nine percent of what I listen to are musicals.

Musicals plot’s have to be relatively simple with not a ton of characters. So the books I chosen have plots that could be simplified easily. While I was creating this list, I noticed  many of the books I chose were contemporary. I think this is because I personally would love to see more musicals take place in the here and now.

1. Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli- Who doesn’t want to listen to songs about Oreos and dressing up as a Dementor for Halloween? I certainly do. Also many main characters are in a musical in this book so it works.

2. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell- This is an amazing book that focus’s around a man falling in love with a lady strictly because of her personality (he has never actually seen her), and that same lady falling in love with that same guy strictly because of his looks. That is awesome theatre material.

3. Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson- Picture Amy and Roger cruising down the highway in their car. Roger turns up the music, before him or Amy burst out into song. It totally works. Also because Amy is a theatre nerd, we could get theatre references in a musical. What is better.

4. The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski- I originally picked this book up because the synopsis reminded me of the Disney musical Aida. I do think if this were made into a musical, it would probably only focus on the revolution side and a lot less on the slow burning romance side. I also don’t think it would be called The Winner’s Curse if it were a musical. Maybe just Kestrel! or something like that.

5. Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley- Eliminate the whole “I need to get into the second greatest psychology school in the country” plot and you have got an amazing musical. It is a simple story that I think would provide some interesting music.

6. My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton- With some Spamalot-esque music and humor, this would be such a wacky and fun musical. Some plot lines would probably have to be eliminated, but overall it has the potential to be an awesome production.

7. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusack- This would be such a moving and emotional production. Where I thought the movie was emotionally drained, I think if this were made into a musical, it would have all the drama the book had.

8. Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson- This may sound cliche, but what if this was made into a musical where Kelly Clarkson wrote all the songs. I get so excited just thinking about it. It would be such a fun and energetic production!

9. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo- This book has always reminded me of Les Miserables ofr some strange reason (it is probably the setting). I just think it would be a dark and entertaining. Epic Reads Actually has a really funny reason why this needs to be made into a musical.

 

10. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell- With a ton of 80s-esque songs, this music based book would be an epic musical. I picture this being one of those musicals where no words are spoken and everything is sung.

Those were my top ten books that need to be made into musicals right now. What are some of your favorite musicals. What books do you think need to be adapted for the Broadway stage? I would love to know.

 Currently Reading: When We Collided

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