we share everything. A scene from “The Shining”
(© Warner Bros. via YouTube)
It may sound crazy to turn a horror movie into a musical, but let’s be honest, so was the sequel to Romeo and Juliet, set to Max Martin songs.
Horror movies are already dramatic, full of suspense and larger-than-life characters. Add an eye-catching number and some character shoes, and you’ve got a Broadway hit with a twist. Here are five horror movies that we think would be perfect as musicals.
1. Shining
This is already an opera, with parody here and there, but we want full musical drama. Imagine Jack Torrance striding down the halls of the Overlook Hotel, singing horrifying show tunes (think “Be Prepared” from The Lion King). “All Work and No Play” is probably his big number, as he slowly loses his mind while tap-dancing with an ax in his hand. Wendy may be able to get her hands on a self-penned ballad called “Don’t Hurt Danny,” a heartbreaking plea to protect her son from her spiraling husband. And let’s not forget the creepy sisters harmonizing in the hallway for an eerie “Come Play with Us” duet.
2. The Craft
It makes sense to turn The Craft into a ’90s rock jukebox musical. The movie already oozes an angry and rebellious vibe from the ’90s, so throwing in a killer score of grunge hits would be a perfect fit. Imagine Sarah discovering her power on Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” and Nancy doing the full Courtney Love on a blistering solo on Hole’s “Violet.” The darkness of the Saints spirals to Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” and the final showdown between Sarah and Nancy climaxes with Pearl Jam’s “Alive.” It’s the perfect combination of witches, rebellion, and grunge. Again, an unauthorized version exists, but I heard Peter Filardi was approached about a Broadway adaptation.
3. A Nightmare on Elm Street
Freddy Krueger is begging for a musical (Stranger Things: The First Shadow is halfway through). There’s no doubt that Freddie, with his wicked sense of humor, would create some darkly comedic songs. I picture him wearing a striped sweater, belting out something like “Dreamland Blues,” mocking the sleeping teens who think they’re safe. Please take a look. Each victim can sing a dream-inspired song as they face their fate, with surreal and nightmarish stage designs to match. And what about the finale? A fierce battle between Nancy and Freddy, with a full-scale battle scene set to dramatic lighting and music.
4. Exorcist
Okay, stay here. The Exorcist is one of the scariest movies of all time, but the musical version could haunt you in a completely different way. Father Merrin was able to sing a brooding, soul-crushing ballad called “The Devil Inside” as he prepared for his final exorcism, knowing he was facing pure evil. Possessed by a demon, Regan has the potential to sing creepy, distorted songs, with her voice changing between her normal self and the demon’s growls (for the lucky actor who was able to play her) , total prize fodder). And of course, the devil has a chilling, almost operatic number in which he spits out his terrifying lines in musical form. This can be surprisingly powerful. We have a theatrical version (by John Pillmeier) and another unauthorized parody take, so the interest is there.
5. Hereditary
Hereditary is already full of tragic family drama and tension, so turning it into a musical feels natural. Toni Collette’s Annie may have some heart-wrenching solos about grief and loss. “Everything falls apart” will (literally) bring the house down. Throughout the show, there is an eerie chorus of cult members chanting spells, which can heighten the sense of dread. And who wouldn’t want to see the entire cast appear in the climactic scene where the characters go insane and belt out twisted, haunting lyrics?
