New plays, musicals plentiful on Broadway

This is the best time of year to go to New York, if Broadway shows are what you're after.

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."*

"Passing Strange," is a "moving and hilarious" story of a young black man in search of himself. "Strange" is a journey across time, place and identity (Sounds deep).

"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?