Summary
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, inspired by the hit Netflix show, gained popularity on TikTok with songs like "Burn For You," capturing fans' imaginations.
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, conceived by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, achieved a groundbreaking feat as it claimed the prestigious Grammy Award.
However, the staging of theatrical performances by Barlow and Bear gave rise to legal conflicts, ultimately resulting in a settlement with Netflix.
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical took the world by storm in 2021, captivating fans of Netflix's Bridgerton by bringing the beloved period drama to life through song. Based on Julia Quinn's romantic novels set in the Regency Era, Bridgerton quickly gained popularity for its passionate love stories, exquisite costumes, and unique blend of modern culture with historical storytelling. The show's success inspired a dedicated fanbase, with some enthusiasts going above and beyond in their expressions of adoration.
Like many exceptional films and television series, Bridgerton ignited the imaginations of its viewers. The integration of anachronistic elements in the show served as a catalyst for creating a captivating musical adaptation. The inherent grandeur of period dramas, from the elaborate costumes to the larger-than-life characters, lends itself perfectly to the theatrical world. Almost overnight, The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical became a sensation on par with its source material. The journey of bringing this production to life was a complex and compelling tale in its own right.
"Burn for You" Was Written When Abigail Barlow Asked, "What If Bridgerton Was A Musical?"
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical took its inspiration from Bridgerton's first season. Abigail Barlow, a singer, started writing songs from the characters' perspectives. She posted renditions of her songs on TikTok, and they gained attention, especially the track "Burn For You." This song tells the story of Daphne and Simon's passionate wedding night with lyrics like "If this is what you call a honeymoon, pacing 'round our separate rooms, running from our elaborate ruse, we're doomed."
Emily Bear, Barlow's friend, created the music for the songs. The songs, including "Burn For You," quickly became popular on TikTok, with fans performing them and speculating about the possibility of a real Bridgerton musical. The trend even caught the attention of Netflix, who shared clips on their Twitter page to support Barlow and Bear's work.
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Won A Grammy
The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical by Barlow and Bear gained a wider audience and recognition after its release as an album. It even received a nomination for the Best Musical Theater Album Grammy Award, making history as the first TikTok-based creation to be nominated. The Grammy win for the Unofficial Bridgerton Musical surpassed other notable albums like Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella and Les Misérables: The Staged Concert.
However, despite previously supporting Barlow and Bear's Bridgerton work, Netflix took legal action when the duo started staging theatrical performances of The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. Netflix viewed these for-profit concerts in London as a copyright violation and criticized them for stretching the boundaries of "fan fiction". Shonda Rhimes, the showrunner of Bridgerton, stood by Netflix's legal action, and the case was eventually resolved in September 2021.