It’s happening quietly, but movie musicals are making a comeback, thanks perhaps entirely to Zac Efron. After all, High School Musical 1 and 2 were huge hits on the Disney Channel, and the third one is hitting theaters later this year. And who didn’t swoon when Efron combed his hair and gazed at Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray?
Now another Disney Channel sensation, the Jonas Brothers, are doing even more to pave the way for the revival of the movie musical. Matthew Diamond, who directed the Jonases in the TV movie Camp Rock, has signed with United Artists to direct the musical and dance film Move. Variety says the studio is keeping mum about what the plot entails—maybe that’s because the Jonases are involved? Or maybe that’s because the Jonases aren’t involved and no one wants to disappoint the rabid fans.
I am way, way too old to be part of the Jonas Brothers target audience, but I’m still very excited for what their success means for movies. Camp Rock, from what I can tell, was an honest-to-goodness musical, not just a crappy movie with some crappy pop songs thrown in (like From Justin to Kelly, which yes, I have actually seen). I’ve had enough of letting our young stars get away without knowing how to sing AND dance AND act. Not that I’m ready to see us turn into an nation of Jonas Brothers fans, but when the musical future arrives, I’ll be ready with my tap shoes on.
