SHOWBUSINESS: THE ROAD TO BROADWAY

RYAN: We just experienced the perfect marriage of two of our favorite things: film and Broadway.

CAROLINE: It was so exciting to see a documentary about the musicals of the 2004 Tony Awards season in this movie “Show Business: The Road to Broadway.” Hell, I’d watch one for every season.

RYAN: I really enjoyed this too. Especially because it featured the development of my all-time favorite Broadway musical, “Wicked.”

CAROLINE: Remind me – how many times have you seen that show?

RYAN: Thirty-five. Why?

CAROLINE: Just thought our readers should know.

RYAN: I’m proud. It’s the most brilliant show.

CAROLINE: Whatever. “Show Business” is sadly only in limited release, so you may not be able to see it in your city. But we wanted to make sure it’s on your radar because it’s just that good.

RYAN: It’s really well made and the pacing is great. It details the rehearsal process and Tony campaigns of “Wicked,” “Taboo,” “Caroline, or Change” and “Avenue Q.”

CAROLINE: It’s real behind-the-scenes stuff.

RYAN: It reveals real Broadway producers, creators, cast… and then is balanced out with scenes of theater critics who are so stodgy and wrong about their predictions. They’re the opposite of everything we stand for.

CAROLINE: If you love theater, you’ll want to see this documentary. It’s so fun to see the stuff you don’t normally get to see.

RYAN: So if you can’t see it on the big screen, you’ll definitely want to rent it when it comes to DVD. Bottom line?

CAROLINE: I loved it! I love a Broadway musical, and the next best thing to seeing one is watching a movie about it.

RYAN: I agree, though I would have liked to see more actual production numbers in it. But maybe they didn’t have access to that.

CAROLINE: True, maybe it was a licensing issue.

RYAN: But overall, it’s a funny, endearing documentary. And even though we already knew who won the 2004 Tonys, it was still just as tense to watch it again.

CAROLINE: And Alan Cumming is in the movie, whom we love… and recently interviewed on our radio show.

RYAN: He also co-produced it.

CAROLINE: Vive le Broadway! And here’s the film’s trailer for you to enjoy: