Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Hit Musicals Are Coming to YouTube for Free

Both Broadway and London’s West End, two of the world’s most iconic theater destinations, have been shut down for three weeks now while everyone tries to fight the global spread of the coronavirus. In the absence of live performances, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and the Metropolitan Opera have both gotten creative with ways the keep the public entertained (for free!) and still show their art and hard work to the viewers at home. And now, starting this weekend, Broadway is joining in the trend and coming to Youtube. With the launch of The Shows Must Go On! Youtube channel, some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous musicals will be online to watch completely for free, beginning with “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

Universal Home Entertainment announced today that the 2000 version of Webber’s musical would be available to watch tomorrow (April 3) at 2/1c, no login-in or sign-up required. Just head to The Shows Must Go On! on Youtube and click play. Each production will be available to stream for 48 hours once it goes online, and charitable donations to organizations like Acting for Others, Broadway Cares and Actors Benevolent Fund are encouraged from viewers, but they’re not required.

The 2000 production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” premiering tomorrow afternoon stars Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins, and is inspired by the West End production. The musical comedy is based on the Book of Genesis story “The Coat of Many Colors,” and premiered in 1972 in Scotland but landed on Broadway in 1983. Osmond, who stars as the titular character, played Joseph for five years and over 1,800 performances in total.

After “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” leaves Youtube, The Shows Must Go On! will premiere “Jesus Christ Superstar” next on April 10 (a.k.a., Good Friday). The 2012 version of the musical stars Tim Minchin, Melanie C — known to Spice Girls fans as Mel C — and Chris Moyles. The rock opera tells the story of the last weeks of Jesus’ life and the struggles and conflict between him and Judas. It’ll be available on Youtube at 2/1c, also for 48 hours.

In between uploads of new shows, theater fans can watch clips of behind-the-scenes footage and scenes from other performances on The Shows Must Go On!. Although the full lineup of performances isn’t currently available, it will be announced in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, you can cue up “Joseph” this weekend and sing along to hits like “Any Dream Will Do” and “Joseph’s Coat.”