*not all titles available on Netflix
**you may or may not have someone to “chill” with, but I hope you do!
As the weather turns cooler, why fight the urge to snuggle under a blanket with a bottle of wine and some quality screen time? Problem is, what to watch? Here are my top five original Broadway productions to stream when you’re looking for inspiration or entertainment… hopefully a little of both. This list is by no means exhaustive. Include your favorites in the comments!
The penultimate OBC viewing. No matter how you feel about Sondheim, Bernadette, or the Meryl Streep film version of this (which is also very good), everyone who’s serious about musical theatre in the City ought to see this to see How It Should Be Done. It’s just so good.
2. Cats
I’m fully aware that in some (most) circles, Cats is a musical theatre punch line. But to get the joke, you have to have seen the musical. You’re not allowed to hate it until you’ve seen it. Frankly, I’m not sure how you could be a musical theatre professional and miss it, since it’s been touring and on Broadway for years. I personally love Cats, but I was raised on it, and plus, I love actual cats. But everyone has an opinion on it, so get on YouTube and come up with yours today.
3. Pippin
If you’re this far on the list, you’ve formed an opinion about Sondheim and Lloyd Webber. It’s time to learn something about Fosse. If you aren’t familiar with his style— and once again, I’m not sure I know a musical theatre performer who isn’t— but if you aren’t, or even if you are, treat yourself to the original 1972 Broadway production that still somehow looks timeless. It’s a feat of showmanship, style and storytelling, and the ending still packs a punch.
Based on the artist Stew’s experiences in Europe in the 1980s, this gem of a piece— “the best musical not to win a Tony,” according to Michael Riedel— was certainly one of the best musicals I saw in 2009. But I didn’t see it at the Belasco. I saw it in a movie theatre in the Village. None other than Spike Lee himself saw this live and decided he must immortalize it on screen. This trepidatious musical showcases the work of Colman Domingo, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and Daniel Breaker, among others. My husband and I became instant, lifelong fans. Riedel reported last year that a revival is in the works, starting at the Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia. Hallelujah.
5. Sweeney Todd
If the only version of Sweeney Todd you’ve seen is the appalling Johnny Depp version, you’re in for a treat. Having studiously attended to this list, you can see that Sondheim is already on here once, but my freshman year at Carnegie Mellon, this Sweeney Todd, starring George Hearn and Angela Lansbury, was required viewing. Everyone should see it. It’s dark, it’s comic, it’s brilliant, it’s moving. This and Passing Strange might be one of the few musicals you can watch with your Muggle friends, if you have any. Plus it’s perfect Halloween-y viewing. Have fun!
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Scenery Chewer 
I started this blog as an artistic outlet, as a place to write down the wisdom I’ve accumulated over a lifetime of auditioning in New York City. But these days my time is divided between teaching, performing, and spending quality time with my family.