In an article entitled “A Slimy Scandal in Musical Theatre?” Valentina Sandoval describes the secret life of ‘slime tutorials’ for readers of the student newspaper at Glendale High School in California.
Curtain call for Death Becomes Her on Broadway (Dave Malkoff/Flickr Creative Commons)Her article discusses the controversy surrounding the video clips, which are pirated recordings of live musical theatre performances disguised as instructional videos on making slime.
While these videos are illegal, the author argues they can benefit the theatre community by making Broadway productions more accessible and encouraging viewers to attend shows in person.
The author shares a personal example: after watching a “slime tutorial” of Death Becomes Her, a current Broadway musical starring Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams, she became eager to see the show live once it reaches the West Coast. The article notes that some productions, including Hamilton, have tolerated clips online as a promotional strategy.
Ultimately, the author concludes that despite their illegality, “slime tutorials” help promote theatre and provide access to those who can’t afford tickets or travel, making them less harmful to the theatre community than critics suggest.
