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General Recommendations

BOOKS THAT WERE ADAPTED INTO BROADWAY PLAYS & MUSICALS

By:

CoolDogeGuy

King County Library System

Community-created list

From Carrie to The Color Purple, Curious Incident to 1984, many Broadway favorites started out as a book, and most don't even know that certain musicals had started out as one. This list will show you which of your favorite Broadway plays and musicals began life as a book and how they came to be the musicals we all know and love. :D

By:

CoolDogeGuy

King County Library System

1-25 of 31 items

1-25 of 31 items

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton

by Chernow, Ron

Book - 2004

This 818-page biography inspired composer & lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda (known for his work on his Tony-winning musical In The Heights & on the Be...Show more This 818-page biography inspired composer & lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda (known for his work on his Tony-winning musical In The Heights & on the Best Musical-nominated Broadway show Bring It On: The Musical) to create the Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Grammy, Drama League, and Edward M. Kennedy Prize-winning stage musical, Hamilton. Hamilton is a musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton, who's known as one of the founding fathers and the guy on the $10 bill. It all started when Miranda bought the book from a shop in an airport and he was inspired. In 2009, he performed the beloved opening number, "Alexander Hamilton" at the White House and years later, the musical premiered at The Public Theater in New York in January 2015. After opening to universal acclaim, the show opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre months later to critical acclaim. The show since then has become popular in the hip-hop world and has spread worldwide. The show is still currently playing at the Richard Rodgers theatre to this day. Show less

This 818-page biography inspired composer & lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda (known for his work on his Tony-winning musical In The Heights & on the Be...Show more This 818-page biography inspired composer & lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda (known for his work on his Tony-winning musical In The Heights & on the Best Musical-nominated Broadway show Bring It On: The Musical) to create the Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Grammy, Drama League, and Edward M. Kennedy Prize-winning stage musical, Hamilton. Hamilton is a musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton, who's known as one of the founding fathers and the guy on the $10 bill. It all started when Miranda bought the book from a shop in an airport and he was inspired. In 2009, he performed the beloved opening number, "Alexander Hamilton" at the White House and years later, the musical premiered at The Public Theater in New York in January 2015. After opening to universal acclaim, the show opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre months later to critical acclaim. The show since then has become popular in the hip-hop world and has spread worldwide. The show is still currently playing at the Richard Rodgers theatre to this day. Show less

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Tuck Everlasting

Tuck Everlasting

by Babbitt, Natalie

Book - 2015

Based on the short-lived flop of the same name, Tuck Everlasting is about Winnie Foster, a Pre-teen who stumbles on the Tuck family's secret, eternal life...Show more Based on the short-lived flop of the same name, Tuck Everlasting is about Winnie Foster, a Pre-teen who stumbles on the Tuck family's secret, eternal life. After discovering their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing that it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune. The musical first premiered in Atlanta in 2015 and after their world premiere success, the show came to Broadway and unfortunately became one of Broadway's 2015-16 season flops & closed before The Tony Awards. The show only earned 1 Tony nomination, which was for Best Costume Design in a Musical. Show less

Based on the short-lived flop of the same name, Tuck Everlasting is about Winnie Foster, a Pre-teen who stumbles on the Tuck family's secret, eternal life...Show more Based on the short-lived flop of the same name, Tuck Everlasting is about Winnie Foster, a Pre-teen who stumbles on the Tuck family's secret, eternal life. After discovering their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing that it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune. The musical first premiered in Atlanta in 2015 and after their world premiere success, the show came to Broadway and unfortunately became one of Broadway's 2015-16 season flops & closed before The Tony Awards. The show only earned 1 Tony nomination, which was for Best Costume Design in a Musical. Show less

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Fun Home

Fun Home

A Family Tragicomic

by Bechdel, Alison

Book - 2006

The Tony-winning Fun Home concerns Alison Bechdel's discovery of her own sexuality, her relationship with her gay father, and her attempts to unlock the m...Show more The Tony-winning Fun Home concerns Alison Bechdel's discovery of her own sexuality, her relationship with her gay father, and her attempts to unlock the mysteries surrounding his life. The award-winning graphic memoir was adapted into a musical and premiered Off-Broadway in 2013. The show became a big success and won 5 out of 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Show less

The Tony-winning Fun Home concerns Alison Bechdel's discovery of her own sexuality, her relationship with her gay father, and her attempts to unlock the m...Show more The Tony-winning Fun Home concerns Alison Bechdel's discovery of her own sexuality, her relationship with her gay father, and her attempts to unlock the mysteries surrounding his life. The award-winning graphic memoir was adapted into a musical and premiered Off-Broadway in 2013. The show became a big success and won 5 out of 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Show less

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The Color Purple

The Color Purple

by Walker, Alice

Book - 2003

The Color Purple tells the story about an abused African-American girl named Celie and how she hopes that one day, she will be reunited with her sister, N...Show more The Color Purple tells the story about an abused African-American girl named Celie and how she hopes that one day, she will be reunited with her sister, Nettie, after being separated from each other. The book has been banned from schools several times for its inappropriate content and for its showing of Sexism, Domestic Violence, Racism, Incest, Child Abuse, and Poverty. Before becoming a Tony-winning musical, the book was adapted into a film in 1985 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, which won 11 Academy Awards. Decades later, The Color Purple was adapted into a musical in 2005, which Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones produced. LaChanze won Best Leading Actress in a Musical, but the show itself didn't win any awards despite being nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Then in 2015, it was announced that the London production would be transferring to Broadway with Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery and Cynthia Erivo reprising her role as Celie. The show opened to rave reviews and took home 2 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. Even though it's not on Broadway anymore, you can go see it on tour in cities everywhere. Show less

The Color Purple tells the story about an abused African-American girl named Celie and how she hopes that one day, she will be reunited with her sister, N...Show more The Color Purple tells the story about an abused African-American girl named Celie and how she hopes that one day, she will be reunited with her sister, Nettie, after being separated from each other. The book has been banned from schools several times for its inappropriate content and for its showing of Sexism, Domestic Violence, Racism, Incest, Child Abuse, and Poverty. Before becoming a Tony-winning musical, the book was adapted into a film in 1985 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, which won 11 Academy Awards. Decades later, The Color Purple was adapted into a musical in 2005, which Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones produced. LaChanze won Best Leading Actress in a Musical, but the show itself didn't win any awards despite being nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Then in 2015, it was announced that the London production would be transferring to Broadway with Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery and Cynthia Erivo reprising her role as Celie. The show opened to rave reviews and took home 2 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. Even though it's not on Broadway anymore, you can go see it on tour in cities everywhere. Show less

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Carrie

Carrie

by King, Stephen

Book - 2011

The musical adaption of "Carrie" is considered one of the most legendary Broadway musical flops ever. It is based on the Stephen King novel &...Show more The musical adaption of "Carrie" is considered one of the most legendary Broadway musical flops ever. It is based on the Stephen King novel & the movie adaptions of the same name. Carrie focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother. After being made fun of at her senior prom, she wreaks havoc on everyone and everything. After a try-out in Stratford, the show began performances on Broadway at an expense of $8,000,000 and instantly became very popular for how bad it was. The show closed after 16 previews and 5 performances, despite the theatre being sold out every night. Show less

The musical adaption of "Carrie" is considered one of the most legendary Broadway musical flops ever. It is based on the Stephen King novel &...Show more The musical adaption of "Carrie" is considered one of the most legendary Broadway musical flops ever. It is based on the Stephen King novel & the movie adaptions of the same name. Carrie focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother. After being made fun of at her senior prom, she wreaks havoc on everyone and everything. After a try-out in Stratford, the show began performances on Broadway at an expense of $8,000,000 and instantly became very popular for how bad it was. The show closed after 16 previews and 5 performances, despite the theatre being sold out every night. Show less

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

by Stephens, Simon

Book - 2012

This novel-turned-play about an autistic teenage boy first premiered in London in 2012. The play won Best Play at the 2015 Tony Awards and has received critical acclaim. This novel-turned-play about an autistic teenage boy first premiered in London in 2012. The play won Best Play at the 2015 Tony Awards and has received critical acclaim. Show less

This novel-turned-play about an autistic teenage boy first premiered in London in 2012. The play won Best Play at the 2015 Tony Awards and has received critical acclaim. This novel-turned-play about an autistic teenage boy first premiered in London in 2012. The play won Best Play at the 2015 Tony Awards and has received critical acclaim. Show less

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Wicked

Wicked

The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West : A Novel

by Maguire, Gregory

Book - 2004

Based on Frank L. Baum's worldwide phenomenon The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel of the same name, Wicked tells the untol...Show more Based on Frank L. Baum's worldwide phenomenon The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel of the same name, Wicked tells the untold story of Elphaba Thropp, the infamous Wicked Witch Of the West. Despite opening to poor reviews, the musical became a huge success. Since it's opening on Broadway in 2003, the musical has spawned several tours and productions worldwide and won 3 Tony Awards, ultimately losing Best Musical to Avenue Q (which is known as one of the biggest steals in Tony history). Show less

Based on Frank L. Baum's worldwide phenomenon The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel of the same name, Wicked tells the untol...Show more Based on Frank L. Baum's worldwide phenomenon The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel of the same name, Wicked tells the untold story of Elphaba Thropp, the infamous Wicked Witch Of the West. Despite opening to poor reviews, the musical became a huge success. Since it's opening on Broadway in 2003, the musical has spawned several tours and productions worldwide and won 3 Tony Awards, ultimately losing Best Musical to Avenue Q (which is known as one of the biggest steals in Tony history). Show less

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American Psycho

American Psycho

A Novel

by Ellis, Bret Easton

Book - 1991

Another short-lived show, American Psycho, which was based on the controversial book and the movie starring Christian Bale of the same name. After a succe...Show more Another short-lived show, American Psycho, which was based on the controversial book and the movie starring Christian Bale of the same name. After a successful run in London, the show had a workshop in New York City with Benjamin Walker. Months later, it was announced that American Psycho would be coming to the great white way. It opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre to mixed reviews. As well as Tuck Everlasting, the show closed right before the Tony Awards due to not finding it's audience and was nominated for 2 Tony Awards, but didn't win any. Show less

Another short-lived show, American Psycho, which was based on the controversial book and the movie starring Christian Bale of the same name. After a succe...Show more Another short-lived show, American Psycho, which was based on the controversial book and the movie starring Christian Bale of the same name. After a successful run in London, the show had a workshop in New York City with Benjamin Walker. Months later, it was announced that American Psycho would be coming to the great white way. It opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre to mixed reviews. As well as Tuck Everlasting, the show closed right before the Tony Awards due to not finding it's audience and was nominated for 2 Tony Awards, but didn't win any. Show less

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

by Baum, L. Frank

Book - 2013

The Wizard Of Oz is one of the most iconic stories known to man. It tells the story of a young girl from Kansas named Dorothy who is trying to find her wa...Show more The Wizard Of Oz is one of the most iconic stories known to man. It tells the story of a young girl from Kansas named Dorothy who is trying to find her way home after being swept away from her home by a tornado. The Wizard Of Oz has inspired books like the Dorothy Must Die series by Danielle Paige & Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Broadway Musicals like Wicked and The Wiz, TV shows & Mini-series like Emerald City & The Witches of Oz, and Movies like Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful & Dorothy and the Witches of Oz. In fact, the show is currently on tour in cities everywhere. So book your tickets to Oz! :D Show less

The Wizard Of Oz is one of the most iconic stories known to man. It tells the story of a young girl from Kansas named Dorothy who is trying to find her wa...Show more The Wizard Of Oz is one of the most iconic stories known to man. It tells the story of a young girl from Kansas named Dorothy who is trying to find her way home after being swept away from her home by a tornado. The Wizard Of Oz has inspired books like the Dorothy Must Die series by Danielle Paige & Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, Broadway Musicals like Wicked and The Wiz, TV shows & Mini-series like Emerald City & The Witches of Oz, and Movies like Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful & Dorothy and the Witches of Oz. In fact, the show is currently on tour in cities everywhere. So book your tickets to Oz! :D Show less

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Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment

by Dostoyevsky, Fyodor

Book - 2014

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Coram Boy

Coram Boy

by Gavin, Jamila

Book - 2001

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A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

by Dickens, Charles

Book - 2014

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High Fidelity

High Fidelity

by Hornby, Nick

Book - 2000

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Cinderella

Cinderella

by McClintock, Barbara

Book - 2005

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Gypsy

Gypsy

A Memoir

by Lee, Gypsy Rose

Book - 1999

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The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant

A Novel

by Wallop, Douglass

Book - 1954

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Candide

Candide

by Voltaire

Book - 1981

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The Once and Future King

The Once and Future King

by White, T. H.

Book - 2016

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The Corsican Brothers

The Corsican Brothers

Corsica-Paris

by Dumas, Alexandre

Book - 1985

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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

by Twain, Mark

Book - 2001

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The Bridges of Madison County

The Bridges of Madison County

by Waller, Robert James

Book - 1992

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The Diaries of Adam & Eve

The Diaries of Adam & Eve

by Twain, Mark

Book - 2001

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The Lady or the Tiger, and Other Stories

by Stockton, Frank R.

Book - 1907

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Big Fish

Big Fish

A Novel of Mythic Proportions

by Wallace, Daniel

Book - 1998

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Doctor Zhivago

Doctor Zhivago

by Pasternak, Boris Leonidovich

Book - 2010

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1-25 of 31 items

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