{"id":50190,"date":"2024-12-05T19:21:51","date_gmt":"2024-12-05T18:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/57ef0d2d-542a-4785-83fc-a9962ece0a13"},"modified":"2024-12-05T20:09:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T19:09:21","slug":"christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas musicals: 11 of the best festive singalongs"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 05 December 2024 at 18:21 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Who doesn\u2019t love snuggling up with a cocoa to watch Michael Caine sing with The Muppets?<\/strong> Just as \u2018regular\u2019 musicals, the stage and screen have regularly fed off of each other, meaning there are Christmas musicals based on Christmas films based on musicals. Confused? Don\u2019t worry, have another chocolate out of the tin and check out our pick of the very best Christmas musicals\u2026<\/p>

Best stage musicals of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
Six of the best… festive film scores<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> <\/div>
Best Christmas musicals<\/h2>
Dr Seuss\u2019s How The Grinch Stole Christmas<\/em><\/strong> (1966\/94\/2006)<\/strong><\/h3>

<\/div> <\/figure> <p>Who wants to take over Christmas, when you can just steal it? Dr Seuss\u2019s classic children\u2019s book is a perennial favourite, adapted for the screen in 1966, 2000 and 2018. This stage musical made a brief appearance in the \u201990s, making a slightly larger impact on Broadway in 2006\/7, before being filmed for a TV special in 2020.<\/p> <p>The music and songs are by Mel Marvin, with lyrics by Timothy Mason. It utilises the the 1966 songs \u2018You\u2019re a Mean One, Mr Grinch\u2019 and \u2018Welcome, Christmas\u2019, written by Albert Hague, with lyrics by Dr Seuss himself.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song: <\/strong>\u2018You\u2019re a Mean One, Mr Grinch\u2019<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-nightmare-before-christmas\"><strong><em>The Nightmare Before Christmas<\/em> (1994)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>If you\u2019re one of those who like to start Christmas early, here\u2019s a great one to get things going in October. That\u2019s right, Tim Burton\u2019s cult classic animated musical is set at Halloween <em>and<\/em> Christmas. Composer Danny Elfman wrote the songs and score for this dazzlingly dark tale about the King of Halloweentown, who decides he want to take over Christmas, too, and bring a little joy to his fellow ghouls.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018What\u2019s This?!\u2019<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-scrooge\"><strong><em>Scrooge<\/em> (1970\/92)<\/strong><\/h3> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\""Thank You Very Much" [Lyrics] - 1970's Scrooge\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wYxHBmVq4GM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>The late composer\/lyricist Leslie Bricusse adapted Charles Dicken\u2019s <em>A Christmas Carol<\/em>, creating this seminal seasonal musical in the process. Originally an <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/tv-and-film-music\/all-the-oscar-winners-and-nominees-for-best-original-score\">Academy Award-nominated<\/a><\/strong> 1970 film starring Albert Finney in the title role, Bricusse returned to it in 1992 and reiomagined it as a stage production. The classic tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge was brought vividly to life on screen and stage, with the latter seen around the world in many touring productions.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018Thank You Very Much\u2019<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-christmas-carol\"><strong><em>A Christmas Carol<\/em><\/strong> <strong>(1994\/2004)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken (<em>Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin<\/em>) turned his hand to Dickens for a new stage musical of the story in 1994. With lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, the show was an annual fixture at Madison Square Garden in New York City for a decade.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/the-best-musicals-by-andrew-lloyd-webber\/\">The best musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/the-best-musicals-by-leonard-bernstein\/\">Leonard Bernstein: his best musicals<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>It attracted some big names in the lead role, including F. Murray Abraham, Jim Dale, Roger Daltrey and Frank Langella. It was adapted into a TV movie in 2004, starring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge. Concert performances of the show have also taken place since.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018Christmas Together\u2019<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-muppet-christmas-carol\"><strong><em>The Muppet Christmas Carol<\/em> (1992)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>The story is familiar, but the faces are a little fuzzier. Michael Caine stars as Scrooge in this memorable retelling of Dickens\u2019s spooky festive tale. Gonzo the Great guides us through the story, which is peppered with toe-tapping songs by Oscar-winning songwriter\/composer Paul Williams \u2013 a Muppet regular, having written Kermit\u2019s classic \u2018Rainbow Connection\u2019.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018One More Sleep \u2018til Christmas\u2019<strong> <\/strong><\/p> <p><strong>Buy the soundtrack on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B000GGU1I4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-elf\"><strong><em>Elf <\/em>(2010)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>Yes <em>Elf<\/em> is also a musical. This Broadway musical by Matthew Sklar and Chad Begulein is becoming a bit of a modern classic. Based on the uber-popular 2003 film of the same name, starring Will Ferrell, it tells the same story of Buddy \u2013 a human, raised by Elves who returns to New York to find his Dad.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018Sparklejollytwinklejingley\u2019<\/p> <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-best-christmas-musicals\">More best Christmas musicals<\/h2> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-meet-me-in-st-louis\"><strong><em>Meet Me in St. Louis<\/em><\/strong> <strong>(1944)<\/strong><\/h3> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas | Meet Me In St. Louis | Warner Archive\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CreWsnhQwzY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>Released in time for the US holidays in 1944, <em>Meet Me in St. Louis<\/em> isn\u2019t only about Christmas. That said, this year in the life of the Smith family (1903\/04), has Christmas at its heart and features what has become one of the most universally loved Christmas songs.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-songs-from-musicals\">10 of the best songs from musicals<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <p>\u2018Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas\u2019 was written for the film by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and is memorably performed by Judy Garland. She sings it it to her little sister, who is sad about moving to a new city and worried Santa won\u2019t find them. Just one of the moments that make this one of the best and most uplifting Christmas musicals.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 \u2018Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas\u2019<\/strong><\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>The Nutcracker<\/em> (various)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>OK, it’s technically a ballet, by the great <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/tchaikovsky\">Tchaikovsky<\/a><\/strong> no less. But <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/the-nutcracker\">The Nutcracker<\/a><\/strong><\/em> has had many stage and film adaptations that have incorporated musical theatre elements, so we reckon it deserves an honourable mention here. Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score, combined with spectacular choreography and sometimes additional dialogue or narration, has made it <em>The Nutcracker<\/em> one of the best-loved holiday traditions.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/tchaikovsky-queen-of-spades-pique-dame\"><em>Queen of Spades<\/em>: the opera Tchaikovsky labelled his finest achievement<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/nine-unexpected-uses-tchaikovskys-nutcracker\">Nine unexpected uses of <em>The Nutcracker<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mouse battle scene from The Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker \ud83d\udc2d\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kRayVFD1Njk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>The story of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the magical journey to the Land of Sweets has enchanted audiences worldwide, and its Christmas setting, featuring magical toys and adventures, fits perfectly with the holiday season.<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-white-christmas\"><strong><em>White Christmas<\/em><\/strong> <strong>(1954\/2000)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>The title rather gives away the most famous song in this musical, though Irving Berlin didn\u2019t write it for this. It actually featured in a 1942 film called <em>Holiday Inn<\/em>, but was brought back for this fully seasonal offering starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.<\/p> <p>A musical about Broadway stars putting on a show in a Vermont hotel at Christmas to help an old Army chum, it\u2019s as charming, warm and funny as you\u2019d expect. It also features the popular number \u2018Sisters\u2019. It was adapted for the stage in 2000.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018White Christmas\u2019 (obviously)<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-polar-express\"><strong><em>The Polar Express<\/em> (2004)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>Okay, as Christmas musicals go this one isn\u2019t wall-to-wall song and dance, but it has its moments\u2026 and some of them are a bit dark. Based on Chris van Allsburg\u2019s children\u2019s book of the same name, director Robert Zemeckis broke new ground with this film. Utilising the very latest performance capture technology, it was animation as audiences had never seen it before.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-christmas-ballets\/\">The best Christmas ballets of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\"> <div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Polar Express (2004) - When Christmas Comes Scene (3\/5) | Movieclips\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uKwwpmC02IQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/> <\/div> <\/figure> <p>Tom Hanks plays multiple roles in the story, which follows a mysterious\/magical train that gives children the ride of their lives on one memorable Christmas night. The original songs are by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018When Christmas Comes To Town\u2019<\/p> <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer\"><strong><em>Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer<\/em> (1964)<\/strong><\/h3> <p>This has become a bit of an institution in the US, where it has screened on television every year since it premiered in 1964. It of course tells the tale of everyone\u2019s favourite reindeer \u2013 the one with the very shiny nose. That song is at the heart of the story, but it features a clutch of other numbers, also written by \u2018Rudolph\u2019 composer Johnny Marks, that have become synonymous with the season for millions.<\/p> <p><strong>Best Song\u2026 <\/strong>\u2018Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer\u2019<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Published: Thursday, 05 December 2024 at 18:21 PM Who doesn\u2019t love snuggling up with a cocoa to watch Michael Caine sing with The Muppets? Just as \u2018regular\u2019 musicals, the stage and screen have regularly fed off of each other, meaning there are Christmas musicals based on Christmas films based on musicals. Confused? Don\u2019t worry, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":50191,"template":"","categories":[1,17],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs.jpg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs.jpg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/12\/christmas-musicals-11-of-the-best-festive-singalongs.jpg",1200,800,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Published: Thursday, 05 December 2024 at 18:21 PM Who doesn\u2019t love snuggling up with a cocoa to watch Michael Caine sing with The Muppets? Just as \u2018regular\u2019 musicals, the stage and screen have regularly fed off of each other, meaning there are Christmas musicals based on Christmas films based on musicals. Confused? Don\u2019t worry,…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/50190"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}