Shows Worldwide 

Forgotten Christmas Musicals

Drew Janine,
Forgotten Christmas Musicals
As the festive season continues, the magic of Christmas comes alive through snow-dusted streets but some forgotten Christmas musicals are left behind. These productions once held a cherished place in the hearts of audiences, blending timeless stories, memorable songs, and the warmth of holiday cheer. This is a look back at some tales of Christmas in musicals that are lost year after year.

“A Christmas Carol: The Musical”

Charles Dickens’ timeless novella has been reimagined countless times, but the musical adaptation brings a special kind of joy to audiences. With music by Alan Menken (whose work is best known for productions likeBeauty and the Beast,The Little Mermaidand many more), the production features hauntingly beautiful melodies and vibrant ensemble numbers that enhance the journey of Ebenezer Scrooge from a miserly curmudgeon to a man filled with the Christmas spirit.

“Elf: The Musical”

Based on the 2003 comedy film, Elf: The Musical has quickly become a modern holiday favorite but barely lasts the winter season even in prime locations like Broadway. Following the journey of Buddy, a human raised by Santa’s elves, the musical’s heartwarming humor, quirky charm, and catchy songs like “Sparklejollytwinklejingley” ensure that it’s great with audiences of all ages.

“The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! The Musical”

Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of the Grinch and his fiendish attempts to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville comes to life in this lively stage adaptation. Featuring songs like the iconic “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” the musical combines nostalgia, comedy, and a heartfelt message about the true meaning of the holiday season.

“Meet Me in St. Louis”

Though not exclusively a Christmas musical,Meet Me in St. Louis earned its place on holiday playlists thanks to Judy Garland’s breathtaking rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The stage adaptation of the 1944 film retains its timeless charm, telling the story of the Smith family as they navigate love, change, and tradition.

“Scrooge: The Musical”

Hear from the set designer of Scrooge the Musical!

Another adaptation of Dickens’A Christmas Carol, this version, originally a 1970 film starring Albert Finney, features rousing musical numbers like “Thank You Very Much” and “Happiness.” The stage version retains its uplifting spirit, but struggles to bring the magic of the holidays for theater companies around the world.

“Holiday Inn”

Another Irving Berlin classic, Holiday Inn first hit the silver screen in 1942, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire both well known for their musicals. The musical adaptation, introduced in 2014, includes iconic songs such as “White Christmas” and “Happy Holiday,” taking audiences on a nostalgic journey through a year of celebrations, culminating in a Christmas finale. The musical opened on Broadway in late 2016 and closed only a few months later in January 2017 with no revivals since then even though it’s only been a few years.

Why Christmas Musicals Momentarily Succeed yet Eventually Fail

The appeal of Christmas musicals lies in their ability to blend the emotional resonance of the season with the universal language of music. These productions remind everyone of the importance of love, family, and generosity while delivering breathtaking performances and show-stopping songs that leave audiences humming long after the curtain falls.

Yet, despite beloved classics like White Christmas and recent hits like Elf: The Musical, the financial and logistical challenges of staging holiday shows are undeniable. These productions typically run from mid-November to early January, with months of preparation and rehearsals beforehand. The limited run and significant investment often outweigh the profits, making holiday musicals a risky endeavor for many companies.

The struggles of these forgotten Christmas musicals underscore how difficult it is to create enduring works tailored to the most magical time of the year.

Main image from iStock Photos.
Drew Janine
Live Sound Engineer -EUROPE
Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive as working behind the scenes in theatre as a live sound engineer. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020 and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending time on tour across the North American continent and Europe. Drew’s favourite by far though has been the chance to work on Broadway and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry and hopes to inspire others to continue working in theatre.

Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.

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Drew Janine

Janine has always been a part of music and performing. The first show that inspired her to go into theatre was the Velveteen Rabbit which she saw as a child, and Drew works to keep that magic alive as working behind the scenes in theatre as a live sound engineer. When Drew was accepted into an internship program for audio engineering at a recording studio, she jumped at the opportunity. That was at the start of 2020 and so much has happened since then, both in her career and in the world. Since then, Drew has taken several opportunities to work at recording studios, concerts, festivals, and even large theatres while spending time on tour across the North American continent and Europe. Drew’s favourite by far though has been the chance to work on Broadway and West End shows, as this was a dream come true. Drew is honoured to get to share these experiences from being inside the entertainment industry and hopes to inspire others to continue working in theatre.