Broadway's 'Beaches' Musical Adaptation Fails to Capture Magic of Beloved 1988 Film

A new stage musical based on the classic tearjerker has premiered on Broadway, but critics argue the production lacks the emotional depth and charm that made the original film a cultural phenomenon.

The musical adaptation of "Beaches" brings to the stage a story centered on a lifelong bond between two women, complete with dramatic moments and the iconic ballad "Wind Beneath My Wings." However, reviewers suggest the theatrical version struggles to translate the source material's emotional resonance into a compelling live performance.

Production Background

The stage musical has been in development for approximately twelve years, with its most recent iteration premiering in Calgary in 2024 before making its way to Broadway. The production draws from the 1985 novel by Iris Rainer Dart, which previously served as the foundation for the 1988 Touchstone Pictures film that starred Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey. Dart co-wrote the original film's screenplay alongside Mary Agnes Donoghue.

What Audiences Expect

Theatergoers attending the musical are typically prepared for the familiar narrative: an exploration of female friendship spanning decades, infused with sentimental moments, witty banter, and a memorable musical centerpiece. Yet the current Broadway iteration apparently falls short of delivering a fresh or engaging theatrical experience that justifies the journey from page to stage to screen and back again.