Ryan Murphy’s new shows exemplify his commitment to Broadway

When Ryan Murphy signed his mega Netflix deal, Broadway fans were ecstatic. And as more projects are revealed, it’s clear that Murphy has big plans for Broadway.

Ryan Murphy has created some of the most iconic shows. From Glee to American Horror Story, the versatile creator and producer has definitely left his mark on pop culture. With all this success, Murphy has found a way to bring Broadway and its stars to a wider audience.

As part of Murphy’s Netflix deal, more shows and series are starting to be unveiled. Just this week, it was announced that A Chorus Line will have a ten-part miniseries. This production joins previously announced plans for The Boys in the Band and The Prom.

While Broadway has seen a resurgence in the past couple of years, Murphy’s commitment to bringing pivotal productions to a larger audience is vital. These shows can often tell a story that isn’t being told in other entertainment venues.

For example, Murphy won a Tony for his revival production of The Boys in the Band. With a cast of well-known actors and a few tweaks in the production, this story found the merit of the play. It pushed forward the difficult conservations that some people avoid. Even though the play focuses on the gay community, the concept of self-loathing and acceptance are universal.

By bringing this type of Broadway show to Netflix, Murphy expands the conversation even more. While middle-America many not travel to the Great White Way, the topics of a show like The Boys in the Band are everywhere. Through Netflix, those topics and conservations reach a new level and hopefully pose a new understanding.

While more big name celebrities are embracing the Broadway community, Murphy continues find the balance between star power and vital stories. Looking at the adaptation of The Prom stars like Meryl Streep and James Corden draw a wide audience to a musical that might hit a national tour for a while.

Again, the combination is key to part of the success. People want to see those big name stars, but they are almost met with a compelling story that makes them think. It is surprising that more producers do not adapt this type of combination.

Additionally, Murphy has found a way to give hard working Broadway stars a new voice and audience. A prime example of this situation is Billy Porter in Pose. While Porter had paid his dues on Broadway for decades and finally won a Tony for Kinky Boots, his role in Pose has made him a household name.

In a role created specifically for Porter, Murphy used the show and the role to bring a huge talent to the forefront. Granted, the show’s story is compelling — but that show would not be as successful without Porter in that role.

Time and time again, Murphy is and continues to give Broadway actors an opportunity in his productions. Whether it is creating The Politician specifically for Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen) or bringing legends like Patti LuPone to the upcoming Hollywood series, Murphy gives Broadway a stronger voice in the entertainment industry.

As more and more productions are unveiled under the Ryan Murphy Netflix agreement, it will be interesting to see what other Broadway shows and talents will get exposed to a wider audience. Hopefully, some other Broadway long-timers will get their moment in the spotlight.

What Broadway productions would you like to see Ryan Murphy bring to Netflix?