In an age of Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, it was only a matter of time before theatre made its way into the universe of streaming services. BroadwayHD premiered this year and made watching bootlegs of your favorite plays and musicals an actual legal thing. In June, they took things a step further and showcased Roundabout Theatre Company’s She Loves Me as the first online live stream of a Broadway musical. Streamed productions have come under some scrutiny, with opponents arguing that much of the “magic of theater” is tied up in the “in the moment” experience shared by audience and performers in the same physical space (after all, a TV screen will never do “Defying Gravity” justice). However, making the The Great White Way’s latest smash hits easily accessible with a click of a button might just have its perks. Here’s why:

1. It might just help ‘mainstream’ theatre.

Alright, so we aren’t expecting everyone to start streaming Shakespeare. That doesn’t mean accessible theatre wouldn’t attract a new audience that would otherwise never be exposed! Instead of telling your friends about the shows you love, why not show them? (Did someone say live streaming party?!)

2. That theatre nerd in Ohio can tune in too!

We think everyone should have the equal opportunity to experience Laura Benanti singing “Vanilla Ice Cream” in PJs on the Studio 54 stage. Thanks to this trial run for Broadway online streaming, thespians from Alabama to Arizona were able to experience great live theatre.

3. It’s way more affordable.

For many, traveling to NYC is a huge investment and grabbing a pair of mezzanine tickets is even more pricey. If online streaming continues, theatergoer-wannabes can pay cheap fees to see both classic performances and the latest Tony-nominated hit.

4. You can watch, rewatch and then rewatch again.

In case you didn’t find Zachary Levi completely adorable the first time around when tuning into She Loves Me Live, you can stream the show again. Being able to watch musicals an unhealthy amount of times is every theatre-lover’s dream.

5. It’ll never replace the magic of truly seeing a Broadway show.

Your couch might be comfy, but nothing will ever beat sitting in a real theatre. For those performing arts diehards, or those curious tourists awaiting their first glimpse of Broadway magic, tickets to a show in New York will always be worth the price of admission.

Did you tune into She Loves Me Live? Tell us what you thought of Broadway’s first online live stream in the comments below!