When Broadway went dark, most shows simply shut their doors and waited. But not Diana: The Musical. The creative team behind the stage production made a bold, rebellious move fit for the People’s Princess herself by turning a pandemic crisis into an unexpected cinematic triumph.
Streaming now on Netflix, Diana: The Musical is more than just a filmed play. It’s a statement—about resilience, reinvention, and the sparkle of theatre, even when the lights go out.
From stage to screen: Diana refuses to be silenced
Tony Award-winning duo Joe DiPietro and David Bryan (Memphis) created Diana: The Musical with the intention of a high-profile Broadway run. With director Christopher Ashley at the helm—a man known for his emotionally resonant productions like Come From Away—the show was set to bring Diana’s life to the stage with grandeur, emotion, and yes, a fair bit of glam.
Then the pandemic hit.
The pandemic brought Broadway, along with most of the world, to a halt. “We thought it’d be three weeks,” Ashley said. In reality, it turned into nearly two years of silence. But theatre people aren’t known for sitting still. The team behind Diana decided to adapt—and in doing so, made history.
Zoom rehearsals and the use of tiaras are part of the effort to reinvent the rehearsal room.
With live audiences off the table, rehearsals for Diana moved online. Choreography, blocking, vocal warm-ups—everything was done via Zoom. The project presented a formidable challenge.
“Artists are tenacious,” Ashley explained. “They’ll search for the opportunity to tell stories in any way they can.” And they did.
By the time they filmed the musical at the Longacre Theatre, it had become a fully reimagined production. Shot over just four days, without a live audience, curtain calls, or backstage buzz, it was theatre—but not as we knew it. The cast and crew delivered their performances straight to the lens, bringing the intimacy of the stage directly to viewers’ living rooms.
The result? The result is a dazzling hybrid of stage and screen, capturing both the spirit of live theatre and the polish of film.
Lights, camera… tiara: Netflix steps in
With the help of producer Frank Marshall, whose ties to Netflix proved invaluable, the team secured a spot on the world’s biggest streaming platform.
Suddenly, DiAmazing Facts About Princess Diana: The musical wasn’t just a postponed Broadway show. It was a Netflix original, reaching global audiences long before the curtain ever rose on a traditional stage.
Instead of waiting for the theatre’s return, they launched a bold experiment in storytelling. Could the magic of live theatre be captured on film and still connect emotionally?
The answer was a glittering yes.
The success of Come From Away exemplifies the future of filmed theatre.
Diana wasn’t the only project to benefit from this screen-to-stage revolution. Ashley also directed the filmed version of Come From Away, released on Apple TV+. That production, too, proved that theatre can thrive on screen if handled with care and heart.
As Ashley noted, “There’s a real buzz around plays becoming films. It keeps the essence of live theatre but lets us explore it in new, dynamic ways.”
For performers, directors, and audiences alike, this hybrid model offers something unique: a chance to preserve the ephemerality of theatre while granting it permanence through film.
A new (stage) world: Reinventing theatre for a streaming generation
Ashley’s career has spanned decades, from the cult classic Jeffrey to mainstream Broadway hits. But even he admits that the pandemic forced an evolution he never expected.
“It’s the first time in my life the whole industry went silent,” he reflected. “Eighteen months of… nothing. Unless you count Zoom readings from the bathroom.”
But necessity birthed innovation. And what began as a workaround is now a growing trend—one where filmed theatre finds its place alongside traditional cinema and episodic streaming.
Close-ups have replaced front-row seats. Sweeping camera movements have taken the place of static balcony views. And the emotional intensity of performance? That’s as raw and powerful as ever.
Why Diana: The Musical stands out
There have been many musicals about real-life icons, but few have taken the creative leap that Diana has. With bold costumes, punchy pop numbers, and unapologetic flair, it’s not a quiet tribute; it’s a statement.
It celebrates Diana’s fashion, her strength, her vulnerabilities, and, yes, her drama. While it acknowledges royal controversy, it doesn’t overshadow it. The musical balances reverence with irreverence and offers something fresh in every frame.
You’ll see tiaras. You’ll hear gossip. You might even tear up. By the end, you’ll experience the thrill of being seated in the front row of a theatre that defies convention.
Long live the (musical) queen
Diana: The Musical is streaming now on Netflix. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of the royal family, a Broadway buff, or someone who just loves a delightful costume change, this is a performance you won’t want to miss.
It’s theatre. It’s a film. It’s a royal spectacle. And it’s proof that even in the face of shutdowns, storytelling always finds a way.
