Why Isn’t ‘Rocketman’ a Broadway Show Yet?
Broadway shows based on the songs of singers such as Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Cher, and The Four Seasons have demonstrated the popularity of the “jukebox” musical genre in recent years. These musicals frequently succeed because they bring audiences to the theatre and offer a distinctive means of narrating the tales of well-known performers. They also typically turn a profit because of the artist’s music’s inherent recognition. Elton John, however, is a legendary artist whose life begs for a stage adaptation.
A compelling Broadway production would emphasize John’s lengthy and prosperous musical career, which is characterized by his popular songs and cultural influence. The 2019 movie ‘Rocketman’ demonstrated how effectively his biography might work on stage, especially his ascent to popularity in the 1970s and battles with addiction. His poignant life story, connections, particularly with his partner Bernie Taupin, and musical prowess would provide an exciting and captivating performance. John’s tale is further complicated by his impact on popular culture, which includes his EGOT designation and his homage to Princess Diana.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Songs like ‘The Bitch Is Back,’ ‘Your Song,’ ‘Tiny Dancer,’ and ‘Crocodile Rock’ are readily transformed into large, ostentatious musical numbers or more subdued, personal ballads, making the Rocketman album an ideal choice for Broadway. It would also be fantastic to include the Oscar-winning song ‘I’m Gonna Love Me Again,’ which was written for the movie. John’s music is already well-known, with over 300 million recordings sold worldwide, so a Broadway cast album is likely to be a hit.
John’s work in Broadway productions like ‘The Lion King’, Aida, and Billy Elliot demonstrates he is no stranger to the stage and would have no issue bringing his story alive. Additionally, Taron Egerton’s portrayal of John in ‘Rocketman’ showed that the actor could effectively convey John’s exaggerated personality. A Tony Award-nominated performance might easily come from the Broadway adaptation.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
A ‘Rocketman’ musical would attract John’s music fans and introduce his library to new audiences—especially younger generations who might not be familiar with his lengthy career—by bringing his songs and story to the stage. Like ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’, this type of musical is an excellent means of bridging the gap between artists and younger audiences. It’s strange that a ‘Rocketman’ musical hasn’t been created yet, considering John’s hectic schedule, which includes important performances and projects like his 2023 Glastonbury performance and the documentary ‘Elton John: Never Too Late’. Fans can always watch the movie to witness John’s magic until then.
–Farheen Ali
