“Hamilton” being turned into a recorded musical might have been the best thing to happen in 2020, but how would you feel knowing more Broadway shows are coming to the big screen as well?   Broadway shows are one of the many things for which New York is known, but what happens when Broadway is shut down for months on end, and people can’t get into New York to see a show?  It’s a good thing these shows are being converted to movies for the viewing pleasure of the general public.  

“In the Heights” is a Tony Award-winning show written by Lin Manuel-Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes.  The story is set over a course of three days, mainly involving characters in a largely Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City.  The movie will star Anthony Ramos, most known for his roles in “Hamilton” as John Laurens and Phillip Schyler, as well as Stephanie Beatriz, known for her role as Rosa Diaz in “Brooklyn 99”. The production company Warner Bros. is set to release the movie on June 18, 2021 on HBO max and in movie theaters simultaneously, appealing to everyone who loves the movie theater experience as well as to those who prefer entertainment from their own beds.

“West Side Story” is a classic broadway show from 1957 that turned into a movie in 1961, and, of course, wouldn’t be on this list if it weren’t being remade. The movie is set in the 1950s in New York City and follows the storyline of two teenagers from different ethnic backgrounds who fall in love with each other. The movie will feature many popular faces such as Ansel Elgort most known for his roles in “Fault in Our Stars” and “Divergent”; Maddie Ziegler known from “Dance Moms”; Ariana Debose known for her dancing role in “Hamilton” and her new movie “The Prom”. There is even a newly discovered actress by the name of Rachel Zegler from Hackensack, New Jersey! It is always nice to see one of our fellow New Jerseyans starting her rise to the top. The movie is set to be released December 10th, 2021, directed by the one and only Steven Spielberg.  This movie will premiere in movie theatres. 

“Everybody’s Talking about Jamie” is a show about a teenage boy named Jamie who wants to be a drag queen. Some people starring in this movie are Max Harwood, Samuel Bottomley, Sharon Horgan, Adeel Akhtar and Ralph Ineson, most notably known for his roles in “Game of Thrones” and “The Office UK”. The movie is set to release on February 26, 2021 in theaters. The movie was originally set to release during this month of January, but has been pushed back due to covid regulations. 

So what do you think about these new Broadway shows being turned into movies? Which one are you most excited to see? For more information about any of these movies, go to the Playbill website!