New plays, musicals plentiful on Broadway
New plays and musicals tend to open in the spring as everyone rushes to be up and running for Tony Award eligibility (May 7 this year) with nominees being announced May 13.
This year is no exception.
I'd like to give you a complete rundown of each show, but there are quite a few and space is a precious commodity in the newspaper business.
So, here's a one-sentence description of the musicals. Most of these shows opened recently or are set to open soon. (The shows with an asterisk have committed to a cast recording.)
"A Catered Affair," is a Harvey Fierstein musical comedy. That says enough doesn't it?*
"Adding Machine" is about a man who, after 25 years of service, is replaced by a mechanical adding machine.*
"Cry Baby," a stage version of the John Waters cult-favorite about the '50s.
"Glory Days," is about four best friends who reunite one year after high school.
"Gypsy," is a revival of the ol' classic, this time with the fabulous Patti Lupone and Laura Benanti.
"In The Heights," I can't write a better sentence than their marketing folks did so I'll borrow (is that cheating?) "Washington Heights, a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music."*
"South Pacific," I mentioned this show a few times, the wonderful Kelli O'Hara stars in this first, (yes first) revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic — hard to believe, huh?*
"Sunday in the Park With George," a revival of the Stephen Sondheim classic, this is the story of Georges Seurat.
Whew! See what I mean? Lots of new musicals.
How about some other Broadway news?
One bad turn deserves another? Do you remember the movie "Pure Country?" No? That's because it wasn't good. But guess what? Someone thought it was and they're bringing it to Broadway! Collective groan here ... Don't get me wrong, I like country singer George Strait; I own his best-of collection, I think he's great. But this was an awful movie, and I'm not very optimistic it'll do better on the stage.
"Phantom" part deux: Yes, it's true. There is going to be a sequel to "Phantom of the Opera." Andrew Lloyd Webber has assembled his creative team and they're ready to get working on it. After Phantom disappears and Christine and Raoul are reunited, what happens? Sir Webber won't say, but it is going to take place in New York, and I've heard it'll have historical characters, like past presidents.
"Wicked": The mega-hit will end it's Los Angeles run Jan. 11, 2009, but it'll open later that month for an open-ended run in San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre.
Groban groan: That's the sound you heard when it was announced that a concert version of "Phantom," with Groban in the title role, has been postponed. Sounds like everyone was too busy to make it happen. Seems like everyone should've pulled out their little calendars and checked dates before making the first announcement. But maybe that's just me. We'll have to wait a year or so.
Next week we'll chat about some of the plays on Broadway's and also the upcoming revival of "Damn Yankees."
Go see a show!
E-mail: ehansen@desnews.com
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