A New Kind of Musical - Online!

Les Misérables is a just over a month away, but with the fall colors starting, I’m ready for the Center’s 2011/12 Season to get into full swing with a Broadway show. If you’re anything like me, you’ve already listened to all of your favorite cast recordings. Looking for something new? Look no further than your browser, and try something a little different – musicals online!

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
Web musicals got their start back in 2008 during the infamous writers’ strike, when director Joss Whedon (“Dollhouse,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and a group of his friends including Neil Patrick Harris (“How I Met Your Mother,” “The 2011 Tony Awards”) and Nathan Fillion (“Castle”) came together to work on an independent project exclusively for the web. With a shoestring budget, they set to work on a musical in three acts. Would-be villain Dr. Horrible (Harris) hopes to gain acceptance to the Evil League of Evil despite musical run-ins with his archenemy Captain Hammer (Fillion). And you thought Spider-Man was the first singing sci-fi superhero! Download it on iTunes, stream it on Netflix or track down the DVD – complete with musical commentary from the creators.

Perks The Musical
Perks’ pilot episode was released in June and shows all the potential of the first season of “Glee.” Josh, a high school student whose arts education includes Guitar Hero and “High School Musical 3” sets to write an original musical with his best friend to win over the girl he loves (but has yet to talk to). Will it live up to its pilot? Depends if the cast can find time in their busy schedules to finish the series. Stay tuned at perksthemusical.com.

The Online Musical
If production quality isn’t an issue or you’ve always wanted to weigh in on the next song or plot line, you should check out The Online Musical. Originally a 10 part musical influenced by viewers input on YouTube, its expanded it include short musical vignettes – the latest of which is titled “Where’s Waldo? The Musical.”

Have I missed one of your favorites? What do you think of musicals online rather than onstage?

Content Disclaimer: The online musicals mentioned above contain mature content and humor and may not be suitable for all audiences.