Out with the snow and flurries, in with the flowers and pure sunshine (with a chance of showers on some days). Yes, my fellow readers. The season of Spring is coming around again. With it comes the annual arrivals of musicals, new and old, on the Great White Way. This year's bunch comes in different varieties that are sure to win many audiences' and critics' hearts (not to mention some Tony Awards in the process).
One has a "divine" star making her mark on the most iconic female role ever in musical theatre. Four of them are making their leap from the big screen to the big stage. Another one has two Tony-winning actresses in a show about a feud of beauty (I'm not even talking about that new show on FX). Plus, three of these shows reflect on the past events in American history from the Second World and Vietnam Wars to the sad, fateful day of September 11th, 2001. Now, in more detail, here is the list of the Spring Musicals of Broadway 17':
-Come From Away- Remember that 90's TV comedy-drama "Northern Exposure"? It was about a Manhattan doctor becoming a fish-out-of-water in a small Alaska town where anything can happen. Well, this musical is like that, except that it happened on the day that shattered and shocked America 15 years ago. Taking place up north in Newfoundland, Canada, the townspeople of Gander plays host to dozen of stranded passengers in the midst of the terrorist attacks shutting down all forms of aircraft. Expect to be uplifted and amazed, hopefully.
Playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 236 West 45th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Currently in previews. Opens March 12th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to comefromaway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Miss Saigon- As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say, "Bring Down Da Chopper". Yes, for those of you who doesn't know this musical, this show really uses a helicopter in a scene when the US Army is forced to evacuate. But I'm getting ahead of myself here. This first Broadway revival of this iconic musical (which, in fact, was based on the opera, "Madame Butterfly") has an interracial love story between a Vietnam bargirl and an American soldier at the center of it all. Plus, it even has one of the most touching and melodic scores on Broadway since "Les Miserables" (speaking of which, both shows have the same composers, Claude Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil). When it first opened on Broadway in 1991, it was relevant since the Gulf War happened at that time. Now, at a time when the nation has become divided, this is a musical that is needed currently more than ever.
Playing at the Broadway Theatre (where it played its original ten-year Broadway run until 2001), on 1681 Broadway (between West 52nd and 53rd Streets). Currently in previews. Opens March 23rd. Limited Engagement until Jan. 15, 2018. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to saigonbroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Amelie- Based on the critically acclaimed 2001 French-language film, this musical is about an eccentric girl who goes on some wild adventures in Paris such as looking for the owner of a box that was in her apartment before she even moved there, stealing a garden gnome, experiencing a sex shop while dressed as a nun and even falling in love. Playing the title character is Phillipa Soo, best known from her previous success as one of the original Schuyler Sisters in the mega-smash "Hamilton". She was nominated last year for the show as Best Actress in a Musical. She may be in the same category this year, this time with a different role and a chance being a front-runner or a big rival to another actress who is best known as being "divine" (more on that later).
Playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre on 219 West 48th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Previews begin March 9th. Opens April 3rd. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to ameliebroadway.com or call 877-250-2929.
-War Paint- Bette and Joan isn't the only feud happening this Spring. The other big feud in this musical is between the queens of the cosmetics industry, Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, spanning from the 1930's to the 1960's. They even got two Tony-winning actresses to fill in their shoes and iconic faces. Patti LuPone plays the regal Rubinstein while Ebersole is the ever-radiant Arden. I have a sense that this double act should play well to big business, especially into the pre and post Tonys weeks and hopefully into the summer.
Playing at the Nederlander Theatre on 208 West 41st Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 7th. Opens April 6th. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to warpaintmusical.com or call 877-250-2929.
-Groundhog Day- You may all know the 1993 Bill Murray fantasy-comedy in which a grinchly weatherman gets caught in the same day again and again. But you never thought it would make as a musical. Well, after a tryout run over in jolly old London (which received great reviews, by the way), it finally hits the Great White Way. Andy Karl (who is no stranger to these stage-to-screen transfers, being Broadway's "Rocky" three years ago) plays the weatherman tangled up in a time loop of which he tries to stop it. Here's hoping there won't be a shadow seen for this new musical comedy.
Playing at the August Wilson Theatre on 245 West 52nd Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Previews begin March 16th. Opens April 17th. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to groundhogdaymusical.com or call 877-250-2929.
-Hello Dolly- First, it was Carol Channing. Then, it was Barbra Streisand. Now, it's Bette Midler's turn to take on what I think is the greatest role ever for actresses in the history of the musical theatre. Not only will she will take on Jerry Herman's timeless score, the divine Miss M may have to save some room on her mantle for a Tony this time around. But Midler's not the only star around in this revival. Tony winner David Hyde Pierce (forever known as Niles Crane on "Frasier") becomes the object of Dolly's affections and musical comedy master Jerry Zaks ("Sister Act", "A Bronx Tale") directs the whole shebang. If I were you, get your tickets fast. It's going to be a hot-seller.
Playing at the Shubert Theatre on 225 West 44th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 15th. Opens April 20th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to hellodollyonbroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- Based on the classic book and the legendary 1971 film, that world of "pure imagination" comes to the Big Apple after a big five-year run in London. The same Tony-winning creative pros behind the Broadway smash "Hairspray" are working on this one too. These pros are director Jack O'Brian and composers Marc Shairman and Scott Wittman (don't worry fans, the classic songs from the movie, "The Candy Man" and "Pure Imagination" will be used in the show). Putting on the big Wonka hat this time is two-time Tony winner Christian Borle ("Something Rotten"). Like "Aladdin", it may be destined for family musical success.
Playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 205 West 46th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Previews begin March 28th. Opens April 23rd. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to charlieonbroadway.com or call 877-250-2929.
-Anastasia- About everyone remembers this 1997 Fox animated musical feature about an orphan girl who finds out that she's the lost princess of Russia. Now, it comes to three-dimensional life with the songs ("Once Upon a December", "Journey to the Past") from the movies beloved by fans, and new ones added for this stage adaptation. The movie's songwriters, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens ("Ragtime"), handle the same duties here. Yet, like many stage adaptations, "Anastasia" has made many changes in its transition from screen to stage. Let's pray that the film's many admirers won't be disappointed once they see it.
Playing at the Broadhurst Theatre on 235 West 44th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 23rd. Opens April 24th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to anastasiabroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Bandstand- Despite the title, this is not about the classic pop hits TV show, "American Bandstand". Taking place in the 1940's right after World War II has ended, this show is about a singer/songwriter forming a band to complete in a contest for the chance of being the hottest-and-upcoming swing band sensation in the nation. The target audience the show is aiming for are war veterans, baby boomers, teenagers and 18 to 34 years old (the previous two demos were big fans of "Newsies"). Starring in this snappy yarn are Corey Cott (a "Newsies" veteran himself) and Laura Osnes ("Cinderella") and directing and choreographing it is Tony-winning pro Andy Blankenbuehler ("Hamilton").
Playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (which is next door to the Schoenfield Theatre), on 242 West 45th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 31st. Opens April 26th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to bandstandbroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
One has a "divine" star making her mark on the most iconic female role ever in musical theatre. Four of them are making their leap from the big screen to the big stage. Another one has two Tony-winning actresses in a show about a feud of beauty (I'm not even talking about that new show on FX). Plus, three of these shows reflect on the past events in American history from the Second World and Vietnam Wars to the sad, fateful day of September 11th, 2001. Now, in more detail, here is the list of the Spring Musicals of Broadway 17':
-Come From Away- Remember that 90's TV comedy-drama "Northern Exposure"? It was about a Manhattan doctor becoming a fish-out-of-water in a small Alaska town where anything can happen. Well, this musical is like that, except that it happened on the day that shattered and shocked America 15 years ago. Taking place up north in Newfoundland, Canada, the townspeople of Gander plays host to dozen of stranded passengers in the midst of the terrorist attacks shutting down all forms of aircraft. Expect to be uplifted and amazed, hopefully.
Playing at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 236 West 45th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Currently in previews. Opens March 12th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to comefromaway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Miss Saigon- As Arnold Schwarzenegger would say, "Bring Down Da Chopper". Yes, for those of you who doesn't know this musical, this show really uses a helicopter in a scene when the US Army is forced to evacuate. But I'm getting ahead of myself here. This first Broadway revival of this iconic musical (which, in fact, was based on the opera, "Madame Butterfly") has an interracial love story between a Vietnam bargirl and an American soldier at the center of it all. Plus, it even has one of the most touching and melodic scores on Broadway since "Les Miserables" (speaking of which, both shows have the same composers, Claude Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil). When it first opened on Broadway in 1991, it was relevant since the Gulf War happened at that time. Now, at a time when the nation has become divided, this is a musical that is needed currently more than ever.
Playing at the Broadway Theatre (where it played its original ten-year Broadway run until 2001), on 1681 Broadway (between West 52nd and 53rd Streets). Currently in previews. Opens March 23rd. Limited Engagement until Jan. 15, 2018. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to saigonbroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Amelie- Based on the critically acclaimed 2001 French-language film, this musical is about an eccentric girl who goes on some wild adventures in Paris such as looking for the owner of a box that was in her apartment before she even moved there, stealing a garden gnome, experiencing a sex shop while dressed as a nun and even falling in love. Playing the title character is Phillipa Soo, best known from her previous success as one of the original Schuyler Sisters in the mega-smash "Hamilton". She was nominated last year for the show as Best Actress in a Musical. She may be in the same category this year, this time with a different role and a chance being a front-runner or a big rival to another actress who is best known as being "divine" (more on that later).
Playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre on 219 West 48th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Previews begin March 9th. Opens April 3rd. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to ameliebroadway.com or call 877-250-2929.
-War Paint- Bette and Joan isn't the only feud happening this Spring. The other big feud in this musical is between the queens of the cosmetics industry, Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, spanning from the 1930's to the 1960's. They even got two Tony-winning actresses to fill in their shoes and iconic faces. Patti LuPone plays the regal Rubinstein while Ebersole is the ever-radiant Arden. I have a sense that this double act should play well to big business, especially into the pre and post Tonys weeks and hopefully into the summer.
Playing at the Nederlander Theatre on 208 West 41st Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 7th. Opens April 6th. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to warpaintmusical.com or call 877-250-2929.
-Groundhog Day- You may all know the 1993 Bill Murray fantasy-comedy in which a grinchly weatherman gets caught in the same day again and again. But you never thought it would make as a musical. Well, after a tryout run over in jolly old London (which received great reviews, by the way), it finally hits the Great White Way. Andy Karl (who is no stranger to these stage-to-screen transfers, being Broadway's "Rocky" three years ago) plays the weatherman tangled up in a time loop of which he tries to stop it. Here's hoping there won't be a shadow seen for this new musical comedy.
Playing at the August Wilson Theatre on 245 West 52nd Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Previews begin March 16th. Opens April 17th. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to groundhogdaymusical.com or call 877-250-2929.
-Hello Dolly- First, it was Carol Channing. Then, it was Barbra Streisand. Now, it's Bette Midler's turn to take on what I think is the greatest role ever for actresses in the history of the musical theatre. Not only will she will take on Jerry Herman's timeless score, the divine Miss M may have to save some room on her mantle for a Tony this time around. But Midler's not the only star around in this revival. Tony winner David Hyde Pierce (forever known as Niles Crane on "Frasier") becomes the object of Dolly's affections and musical comedy master Jerry Zaks ("Sister Act", "A Bronx Tale") directs the whole shebang. If I were you, get your tickets fast. It's going to be a hot-seller.
Playing at the Shubert Theatre on 225 West 44th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 15th. Opens April 20th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to hellodollyonbroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Charlie and the Chocolate Factory- Based on the classic book and the legendary 1971 film, that world of "pure imagination" comes to the Big Apple after a big five-year run in London. The same Tony-winning creative pros behind the Broadway smash "Hairspray" are working on this one too. These pros are director Jack O'Brian and composers Marc Shairman and Scott Wittman (don't worry fans, the classic songs from the movie, "The Candy Man" and "Pure Imagination" will be used in the show). Putting on the big Wonka hat this time is two-time Tony winner Christian Borle ("Something Rotten"). Like "Aladdin", it may be destined for family musical success.
Playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on 205 West 46th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Previews begin March 28th. Opens April 23rd. Tickets (Ticketmaster): Go to charlieonbroadway.com or call 877-250-2929.
-Anastasia- About everyone remembers this 1997 Fox animated musical feature about an orphan girl who finds out that she's the lost princess of Russia. Now, it comes to three-dimensional life with the songs ("Once Upon a December", "Journey to the Past") from the movies beloved by fans, and new ones added for this stage adaptation. The movie's songwriters, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens ("Ragtime"), handle the same duties here. Yet, like many stage adaptations, "Anastasia" has made many changes in its transition from screen to stage. Let's pray that the film's many admirers won't be disappointed once they see it.
Playing at the Broadhurst Theatre on 235 West 44th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 23rd. Opens April 24th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to anastasiabroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
-Bandstand- Despite the title, this is not about the classic pop hits TV show, "American Bandstand". Taking place in the 1940's right after World War II has ended, this show is about a singer/songwriter forming a band to complete in a contest for the chance of being the hottest-and-upcoming swing band sensation in the nation. The target audience the show is aiming for are war veterans, baby boomers, teenagers and 18 to 34 years old (the previous two demos were big fans of "Newsies"). Starring in this snappy yarn are Corey Cott (a "Newsies" veteran himself) and Laura Osnes ("Cinderella") and directing and choreographing it is Tony-winning pro Andy Blankenbuehler ("Hamilton").
Playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (which is next door to the Schoenfield Theatre), on 242 West 45th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). Previews begin March 31st. Opens April 26th. Tickets (Telecharge): Go to bandstandbroadway.com or call 212-239-6200.
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