Top 10 Filmed on Stage Musical DVDs
I’ve put together my top 10 list of DVD’s you can buy of musicals filmed on stage. These don’t include musicals you can watch through paid for streaming services like Hamilton on Disney +! Watch this space for a new post on that!
1) Rent: The Final Performance Filmed Live On Broadway.
This DVD shows the last night of Rent after a 12 year run in 2009. I am a huge Rent head and love this version. There is of course the Rent Movie as well as Rent Live but I prefer this version.
IMDB Rating – 8 Stars
2) Miss Saigon – 25th Anniversary Performance
This was filmed in 2016 at the Prince Edward Theatre. With a cast of Jon Jon Jon Briones, Eva Noblezada, Alistair Brammer and Jonathan Pryce can’t get much higher quality! On the DVD is not only the stage production but bonus footage to celebrate the anniversary performance.
IMDB Rating – 8.1 Stars
3) Jesus Christ Superstar – Live Arena Tour
This DVD is from the Live arena tour of 2012 with Ben Forester as Jesus and Tim Minchin as Judas. This was the tour that was the end product of a televised search for Jesus and was filmed at the O2.
IMDB Rating – 7.9 Stars
4) Billy Elliott The Musical Live
Filmed in 2014 at the Victoria Palace Theatre. It stars Ruthie Henshall as Mrs Wilkinson and not only features the whole show but also a special Billy finalie. A fun fact for you is that Liam Mower who plays older Billie in the dream ballet was one of the original Billie’s and can be heard on the cast recording!
IMDB Rating – 8.5 stars
DVD – Amazon
5) Shrek The Musical
This features the 2009 Broadway Musical with Sutton Foster and Brian D’Arcy James. Out of all the DVD’s on the list this is my top family recommendation. It also has loads of references to other shows…see if you can spot Wicked, Dream Girl, The Lion King, Rent and more while you are watching.
IMDB Rating – 7.1 stars
6) Our House
Our House won the Olivier award in 2003 for Best New musical and this DVD gives you a chance to see the original cast in action as well as enjoy Madness music. You may recognise some familiar younger faces including Michael Jibson (since played the original West End King George in Hamilton) and Peter Caulfield and Ian Reddington.
IMDB Rating – 8.7 stars
7) The Phantom of the Opera at The Royal Albert Hall
This is the 2011 performance to celebrate the shows 25th anniversary. It stars Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess and a young Hadley Fraser. Whilst this version doesn’t have the crashing Chandelier it is huge in scale and well worth a watch for both fans and newbies to the show alike.
IMDB Rating – 8.8 Stars
8) Les Miserables
There is a lot of choice for staged versions of Les Miserables – this includes the 10th anniversary concert, the 25th anniversary concert and the 2019 staged concert
I’m personally a huge fan of the 10th anniversary concert cast which includes Colm Wilkinson, Michael Ball, Philip Quast and Ruthie Henshall but all of them are incredible.
IMDB Rating – 9.2 stars
9) Gypsy – The Musical
This is the 2015 West End production from the Savoy Theatre starring Imelda Staunton as Mama Rose who won an Olivier for her performance in this role!
IMDB Rating – 8.1 Stars
10) Chess In Concert
This concert is another one filmed at the Royal Albert Hall. It stars Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Mari Pellow, Adam Pascal and Kerry Ellis. Chess is now not performed that often so this is a great opportunity to see the show and hear it performed by some stunning voices!
DVD is no longer on Amazon so I recommend also checking ebay!)
What are your favourite musicals filmed on stage that have been released on DVD? Do let me know. Please note that these Amazon links are affiliated.
If you like this article you might also like my review of Gypsy live, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera.