Sideways: The Musical

Sideways: The Musical on Broadway Background

After a protracted development time, the award winning movie Sideways, finally makes its Broadway debut as Sideways: The Broadway Musical. The show follows a similar story line of the first book from the trilogy of the same name. The book was written by the American novelist, Rex Pickett in 2004 and was made into a hit Hollywood movie in the same year. The movie adaptation, starred the acclaimed actor Paul Giamatti as the main character, Miles Raymond. The notable film went on to receive many awards and had a considerable effect on popular culture. When Giamatti uttered his famous line "If anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving”, a substantial impact on the wine industry was felt. American Merlot sales were reported to have dropped by over 8%, while Pinot Noir, which is highly regarded by the main character, saw its sales increase about 16%. The adaptation to Broadway was helped by Rex Pickett who wrote the book for the musical production.

What's Sideways: The Musical Like?

The musical follows the main character Miles Raymond, who is a failed, depressed, divorced, English teacher and wine aficionado who lives in northern San Diego and is continuing his search for personal success and new love. He takes his soon-to-be-married best friend, Jack Cole on a road trip through the greater wine country of California, as his "best man" present to Jack. The show quickly becomes a drunken pleasure-fest with late night accidental drunk calls, pre-marital affairs and the two of them finding dates at their wine tastings. Miles tries to pitch his manuscript to different people along the way but, with little to no luck, until the end of the show when he gets a very hopeful call. The star of the show is really the great wine that is being drunk the entire time, but the musical focuses on the different/complicated sexual relationships that the two main characters each have with women.

Is Sideways: The Musical Good for Kids?

The musical focuses less on the movie "buddy comedy" aspect and more on the romance, so this show is not appropriate for children under 14, who might find it very dry.