Teenagers flock to the movies weekly, viewing a plethora of new releases from action films to horror movies to comedies to dramas. There are enough movie genres to satisfy any palate. One genre is the movie musical - theater hits translated into film format.

"I've seen so many musicals, like 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' 'Cats,' and 'Oklahoma!' I've also been in quite a few in school and community theater," said Elizabeth Falstreau, a junior at George Washington High School.

"I've also seen a lot of movie adaptations," she continued. "But I'd rather see stage performances because in theaters, you watch the same movie over and over again. On stage, it's one shining moment. On stage, it's different every time."

Megan Sydnor, a senior at Hurricane High School agrees with Falstreau but also realizes the difficulties and costs associated with viewing a live production.

"You get an excitement from seeing musicals live," Sydnor said. "But it's more convenient to see the movies."

With "Mamma Mia!" having arrived in movie theaters Friday, musical lovers will have an opportunity to see a movie adaptation of a classic stage musical.

"Mamma Mia!," which showcases the music of the '70s Swedish pop group ABBA, tells the story of a young woman who invites to her wedding three men who might be her father in order to try to find out which one he is.

When it comes to musicals like "Mamma Mia!," who do teens think have it harder - stage actors or film actors?

Teenagers flock to the movies weekly, viewing a plethora of new releases from action films to horror movies to comedies to dramas. There are enough movie genres to satisfy any palate. One genre is the movie musical - theater hits translated into film format.

"I've seen so many musicals, like 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' 'Cats,' and 'Oklahoma!' I've also been in quite a few in school and community theater," said Elizabeth Falstreau, a junior at George Washington High School.

"I've also seen a lot of movie adaptations," she continued. "But I'd rather see stage performances because in theaters, you watch the same movie over and over again. On stage, it's one shining moment. On stage, it's different every time."

Megan Sydnor, a senior at Hurricane High School agrees with Falstreau but also realizes the difficulties and costs associated with viewing a live production.

"You get an excitement from seeing musicals live," Sydnor said. "But it's more convenient to see the movies."

With "Mamma Mia!" having arrived in movie theaters Friday, musical lovers will have an opportunity to see a movie adaptation of a classic stage musical.

"Mamma Mia!," which showcases the music of the '70s Swedish pop group ABBA, tells the story of a young woman who invites to her wedding three men who might be her father in order to try to find out which one he is.

When it comes to musicals like "Mamma Mia!," who do teens think have it harder - stage actors or film actors?

 "I think it's harder for actors in the movie industry," Falstreau remarked. "They have to jump in and out of character with every 'cut.'"

Kristen Pennington, a George Washington senior, disagrees. "I think performing on stage is harder because the actor has to bring truth on a grander and more pronounced scale."

Capital High School senior Cameron Burford agrees with Pennington. "On stage, you only get one chance."

"[Stage musicals are] more interactive, more in your face," Burford added. "And you get a realness from them - no recordings, no movie special effects."

Even though these teens prefer watching musicals on stage rather than in movie theaters, they all agree that they're more likely to see a musical when it's in theaters.

"You can even go back and watch them over and catch small details you might have missed," Falstreau said of movie musicals. "On stage, it's different every time."

"Movies have bigger budgets, too," Sydnor laughed.

Anyone can enjoy a musical, be it on the stage or at the movies. Just like regular movies, the genres are limitless, so there's something for everyone.