Different shows with similar plots

[rjnyyz]

A friend recently explained all the similarities between the basic premise of The King and I and The Sound of Music which surprised me.  (Free spirited single woman meets authoritarian attached man, immediately at odds, helps raise the children, but eventually find love)

I noticed that despite the huge difference in tone and execution, both Come From Away was strikingly similar in premise to The Band's Visit.

Group of travelling foreigners get unexpectedly stranded. They are received by remote locals, who extend basic hospitality, food, and accommodation.   Both the hosts and their guests learn about each other and themselves in subtle and profound ways before the travelers leave for their original destination.

Does anyone have any other examples of shows that seem completely different yet share the same basic plot lines?

[TheGingerBreadMan]

You Can’t Take It With You and The Addams Family have a lot in common plot-wise.

[dramamama611]

Well it's said that all stories can be sorted into 3 basic conflicts:
Man v self
Man v man
Man v nature

So, if looking for it, ypu will easily find similarities.

[CATSNYrevival]

Beauty and the Beast, The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

[nasty_khakis]

Mamma Mia! has the same plot as flop musical Carmelina.

[ggersten]

I'd heard it framed as "There are only five stories in the world and the problem with Hollywood is that it only uses two of them"

But then there is this discussion: 7 Basic Srories or maybe 8 or maybe 36

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Be More Chill is very similar to Little Shop of Horrors, besides the ending - they're both different adaptations of Faust, I believe.  The nerdy, unpopular protagonist tries to get the girl through an influential, charismatic villain with unintended consequences.

[Broadway Buddy]

When I was watching Evan Hansen for the first time a couple weeks ago (same night as backfire which was scary) I was comparing it a lot with Be More Chill which I saw twice. They’re both about a high schooler who finds a way to get attention.

[copskid949]

Broadway Buddy said: "When I was watching Evan Hansen for the first time a couple weeks ago (same night as backfire which was scary) I was comparing it a lot with Be More Chill which I saw twice. They’re both about a high schooler who finds a way to get attention. "

I feel like that comparison is very, very broad.

[Someone in a Tree2]

MY FAIR LADY/
PRETTY WOMAN/
CINDERELLA/

the PASSIONELLA segment of THE APPLE TREE. 

There are probably another dozen shows that fit that template.

[Impossible2]

Natasha’s. storyline in Great Comet is pretty much Dangerous Liasons/Cruel Intentions.

[bwaylyric]

Summer / The Cher Show 

[Daniel M]

Dear Evan Hansen and The Book of Mormon (really just the plight of Elder Cunningham):

A teenager struggling to fit in creates a lie, initially well-intended, which grows out of control and eventually they must face the truth.

Totally different treatments, endings, and messages, though.

[clearastheday]

Hadestown and Moulin Rouge are a bit similar. (I’m aware that the latter is loosely based on the former.)

Penniless songwriter falls in love with a woman who wants a life of stability. They sing a song to promise each other that they will stay together no matter what hardships they face. (All I’ve Ever Known/Come What May). She dies or is forced to stay in Hadestown forever.

[VivianDarkbloom2]

All Shook Up seems like it tried to mirror the plot of Hairspray. Originally Wicked was going to be like Aida in terms of the love triangle and the contrasting female characters. You can still see a bit of that influence if you look hard.
Interestingly, my mom compared Rigoletto to Little Shop of Horrors, namely the idea that seeking revenge causes you to lose what you love (Audrey 1 vs Rigoletto’s Daughter, Gilda).

[Playbill_Trash]

Waitress and Sweeney Todd are basically the same:

People with troubled past relationships use baking to cope with their feelings. Each pie is inspired by someone they’ve encountered and contains their best qualities, making their business a success.

[haterobics]

La Boheme basically stole the plot of Rent.

[superiska123]

I always thought Sweeney Todd and Little Shop of Horrors were kind of similar (at least on paper): The main character gets sudden success in business by murdering people, halfway through he kills his nemesis as part of his ploy and in the end both he and his loved ones perish due to the choices he makes during the play.

[PatrickDC]

Victor/Victoria and The Producers

Two dissimilar people are brought together, one has a plan and the other grudgingly joins in but later becomes enamored with the fame it brings. They deceive the masses via a stage show. But love gets in the way. Eventually the ruse is uncovered and the two remain dear friends. 

[MollyJeanneMusic]

haterobics said: "La Boheme basically stole the plot of Rent."

That made me legit burst out laughing. Bravo!!! :)

[DoTheDood]

I don't think anyone noticed, but I feel like West Side Story has far too many similarities with Romeo and Juliet

[Fosse76]

Playbill_Trash said: "Waitress and Sweeney Todd are basically the same:

People with troubled past relationships use baking to cope with their feelings. Each pie is inspired by someone they’ve encountered and contains their best qualities, making their business a success."

That's a bit of a stretch. The baking in Sweeney Todd is about the disposal of evidence.

[copskid949]

Fosse76 said: "Playbill_Trash said: "Waitress and Sweeney Todd are basically the same:

People with troubled past relationships use baking to cope with their feelings. Each pie is inspired by someone they’ve encountered and contains their best qualities, making their business a success."

That's a bit of a stretch. The baking in Sweeney Todd is about the disposal of evidence."

Definitely a stretch but also funny as hell.

”Best qualities.”

[Elfuhbuh]

Cats and A Chorus Line have literally the same plot.

[SharksVsJets]

I like where this thread is going. Now please, someone explain to me how Cabaret and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee are the same.