Filmed shows (Bandstand, Newsies, Saigon)

"Miss Saigon" is on dvd in the UK. You'll need a specific dvd player - Region Free to play it here in the US. But, I think it will play on a computer. Not sure....

The Australian production of Love Never Dies was also filmed for cinema and released on DVD.

Yes, Lin-Manuel Miranda took advantage to have the original Broadway cast of HAMILTON filmed properly to have it archived. The filming was treated as it were a huge cinematic release so every effort was put into it. What are the intentions of this filming? Too early to say as it could be another decade before we know anything. Lin has only confirmed that the show was indeed filmed and has not mentioned if and when it’ll be seen by the public as it wasn’t done for any other purpose but to have the original Broadway cast archived. Could it be released in cinemas in another decade? Could it be a Netflix Exclusive in another decade? Could it be a PBS Great Performances Special in another decade? No one knows, including Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The BANDSTAND screening sure didn't seem to be archival footage. If I remember correctly, there are people on the board here who were there when it was being filmed. The screening I attended stated it was recorded during the last weeks of its performance and photos I've seen indicate more elaborate filming than simply archival footage. The way it was presented struck me as they got a grant to record it and then tried to figure out the best way to present it -- which was ultimately as a Fathom Event. At least to start with.

The London 25th anniversary performances of Phantom of the Opera were also filmed for cinema and released on DVD.

Though the show was fully staged for this 25th anniversary production, it was performed at the non-proscenium Royal Albert Hall so it does not capture the original London/Broadway production's staging or sets. This special/new staging used projections, which are not part of the show's original staging.

Also, they weren't able to accommodate the chandelier's famous rising during the Overture or its crashing on stage at the end of Act 1 -- they just had it "explode" (loud pop with flying sparks) to imply its crashing.

I know this isn't the initial discussion, but since people started throwing out names of shows that have been recorded, one could also name Allegiance, in 2015. The 2006 Company revival was also recorded and is available for home media. Legally Blonde was recorded in 2007 and was on MTV, but it never made it to home media. You can go a few decades back and see some other filmed shows, such as Sunday in the Park and Into the Woods. There's really no telling what future shows will be filmed (and screened). Unfortunately, very few are (screened).

Here's something I've always wondered - are the Lincoln Center archival tapes done in a locked-down shot from the back of the house so as to simply capture the show, or are they a multi-camera setup with close-ups?

This thread is really about shows filmed intentionally for theatrical showings, not about what shows were filmed, aired and released on home video - which are hundreds, quite honestly. Dating back from the early 70s to the present.

Cable television changed things when it surfaced in the early 70s so countless plays and musicals were filmed and aired on cable TV. The list is endless. There’s more out there than the ones we already typically know of like the Sondheim shows, SOPHISTICATED LADIES, PIPPIN, the various ones of COMPANY, etc.

SempreLiberal said: "Can anyone with an NYC library card go and see the musicals archived at the Lincoln Center branch?"

That depends. Currently running shows such as WICKED are not available for viewing unless you have permission from the producers, for audition purposes or something similar. (Even PHANTOM, taped 30 years ago, remains off limits until it closes.) Other shows have had restrictions put on viewing, usually by a member of the creative team. And some of the older shows are still waiting to be digitized, and are unavailable to view because the videotapes are too fragile.

On top of all that, you need a research purpose to view -- whether you are a student or a professional. The staff members are fairly lenient about this, but you will be asked why you need to view a particular show.

I think it's great that they are doing this. I think they should do it with every show because it's promotion and branding. The Phantom Albert Hall show filming and the Miss Saigon filming gave the shows a big boost. It is all about audiences getting familiar with the material.