Starlight Streaming: 5 Musicals the Family Can Enjoy From Home

Nothing beats live theatre—but until we can meet again under the stars, we’re thrilled that Neflix, Amazon, PBS and other streaming services and apps are able to satiate our Broadway cravings at home. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite family-friendly Broadway shows that have been filmed live to stream—there’s truly something for everyone! Stream by yourself or with friends and family (virtually, of course!).

Shrek The Musical

A filmed performance of Shrek The Musical with the original principal cast—including Brian d’Arcy James and Sutton Foster—is available to stream on Netflix. Clocking in at just over two hours, it’s “the greatest fairy tale never told” and will keep kids entertained with its fantastic sets and costumes. Shrek The Musical won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Costume Design and two Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Set Design and Outstanding Costume Design.
Appropriate for all ages.

Streaming on Netflix
Available for purchase on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes

The SpongeBob Musical

Unfortunately, producers of The SpongeBob Musical recently made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of their tour, including their stop at Starlight Theatre, due to the uncertainty ahead regarding COVID-19. You can still catch this fantastic musical on Amazon, though! With a score written by music giants like John Legend, Lady Antebellum, Steven Tyler and more, the whole family will love this hit show. It was nominated for an outstanding 12 Tony Awards in 2018—including Best Musical.
Appropriate for ages 5+.

Available for purchase on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes

Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical

Newsies, the 2011 Broadway musical based on the Disney film, was a hit in New York City and on the road—including at the Hollywood Pantages, where a live performance was filmed for theatrical release. Now available to stream on Disney+, Newsies features Tony Award-winning choreography and endlessly catchy tunes by Alan Menken—who also wrote the scores to hits like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.
Appropriate for ages 8+.

Streaming on Disney+
Available for purchase on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes

Kinky Boots

This next one may be familiar—the national Broadway tour appeared at Starlight Theatre just a few years ago, and it’s definitely one worth seeing again! Kinky Boots won the Tony Award for Best Musical (and Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations, and three more!) when it first hit the Broadway stage in New York City. It’s been a crowd favorite ever since and tells a heartwarming story about celebrating one another’s differences. It’s available to stream through PBS and BroadwayHD.
Appropriate for ages 12+.

Streaming on PBS Passport, BroadwayHD

Memphis

Another familiar title—Memphis, the 2010 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, played under the stars at Starlight Theatre in summer 2012. Now available to stream on BroadwayHD, Memphis tells the story of love, ambition and a cultural revolution. With a fantastic soundtrack and the Tony-nominated cast filmed at Broadway’s historic Shubert Theatre, audiences adore this show—for good reason!
Appropriate for ages 14+.

Streaming on BroadwayHD
Available for purchase on Amazon, Google Play, Vudu

These are just a few of many filmed live performances available right now—not to mention the classic movie musicals like Sound of Music, Hairspray and Les Misérables. We hope to see you again under the stars soon, but until then—we hope you enjoy a few of our favorite Broadway hits from home.

Please note: Age recommendations are just that—a recommendation. As always, please use your best judgement when determining what musicals are appropriate for your children to watch.