Is Mariah Carey’s ‘Glitter’ Movie Musical Next for Broadway?
With Britney Spears’ upcoming musical “Once Upon a One More Time” set to open on Broadway in May, it begs the question: why hasn’t Mariah Carey’s 2001 movie musical “Glitter” been adapted for the stage?
In a 2016 interview on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, a caller posed a question to pop icon Mariah Carey about the possibility of adapting her 2001 film, Glitter, into a Broadway musical. Carey responded with interest, sharing that she had already contemplated the idea since she owned the soundtrack and was fond of it. She also hinted that her attempt at creating a musical based on the film might have been ahead of its time.
So what’s holding it back? Here are a few possible reasons:
1. The film’s initial reception
When “Glitter” was released in 2001, it was widely panned by critics and was a commercial flop. The film’s poor reception could make producers hesitant to invest in a stage adaptation, for fear of repeating that failure.
2. The soundtrack’s success
While the movie itself was not successful, the soundtrack to “Glitter” performed much better. It debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200 chart, and the single “Loverboy” reached the top of the Dance Club Songs chart. A stage adaptation might struggle to live up to the success of the soundtrack, and could risk tarnishing its legacy.
3. The passage of time
It’s been over 20 years since “Glitter” was released, and audiences may have moved on from the movie’s style and aesthetic. A stage adaptation might not resonate with modern audiences in the same way it did with fans of the original film.
4. The cost of production
Stage musicals can be incredibly expensive to produce, and “Glitter” could require a substantial budget to recreate the film’s flashy, 1980s-inspired visuals and choreography. Producers may be hesitant to invest that kind of money in a show that doesn’t have a guaranteed audience, especially given the film’s initial reception.
Despite these potential obstacles, there are still reasons to believe that a “Glitter” stage musical could be successful. The film has developed a cult following in the years since its release, and Carey’s enduring popularity and vocal prowess could make her a draw for audiences.
Only time will tell if a “Glitter” musical will ever see the light of day, but for now, fans will have to content themselves with revisiting the movie and soundtrack that started it all.
