Opening on 15 February 2025, Clueless: A New Musical adapts the 1995 film about popular Beverly Hills High student and matchmaker Cher Horowitz and her quest to make over her awkward new friend, Tai, setting her up with the hottest boy in school. At this stage the cast is yet to be announced but that hasn’t stopped the speculation around what this new musical will bring to the table.
In recent years a pattern has emerged throughout the West End and Broadway, where cult classic movies from the 80’s,90’s and 2000’s have been adapted into musicals. Most notably, Heathers (1988), Mean Girls (2004), School of Rock (2003), Hairspray (1988) and Beetlejuice (1988) have all been adapted into successful and Award-winning musicals. But why are these musicals so successful with new and old audiences?
The first and most obvious reason is nostalgia. Older audiences who grew up with these movies want to revisit and enjoy them in a new capacity. Also, most of the movies are considered “Cult Classics”, which means they already have a cult following and so will already have an established audience. On the flip side, adapting the films into musicals is also attracting new and younger audiences as well as people who are already fans of musical theatre. Familiarity can be a key concept to consider when producing a new show on the West End or Broadway which is why revivals and adaptations have become much more popular.
Creative expansion can also be key to their success. Cult films frequently exhibit unique and eccentric characteristics that make them ideal for theatrical adaptations. Notable examples are The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Little Shop of Horrors, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Turning them into musicals allows for creative expansion, incorporating songs, choreography, and stage design to enhance the film’s key aspects. This approach provides an opportunity for imaginative reinterpretation, giving fans a fresh experience while staying faithful to the original essence of the movie.
The anticipated success of the musical Clueless largely hinges on how closely it stays true to the original film. With a book written by Amy Heckerling, the film’s writer and director, the show features music by multi-platinum singer-songwriter KT Tunstall (known for hits like “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree”). Grammy Award-winning lyricist Glenn Slater (Sister Act, Tangled) contributes the lyrics, while the production is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh (Half a Sixpence) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Come From Away).
Overall, the success of musicals based on cult films stems from their ability to merge nostalgia, creativity, and live performance in a way that appeals to both die-hard fans and new audiences. With built-in support, the ability to reinterpret beloved content, and the opportunity for creative expression, these musicals resonate powerfully in the world of theatre.
Words by Gemma McDonald
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