Seems like spring is the beginning of the new Broadway season. Guess they have to get in to hit that Tony deadline. In any case, I see a gaggle of revivals, hollywood turned stage productions (for better or worse), and one-man shows among the already established shows.
It appears that there is a new revolving door musical aiming to hit a certain demographic (in this case screaming adolescent females). Daniel Radcliffe ended his employ at the World Wide Wicket company back in early January. Darren Criss (from Glee) Succeeded him for a two week run. And now, Nick Jonas is in the Business until July. Hope that this does not become the next Chicago with every teenage heartthrob stepping into the role of J. Pierpont Finch. A good show should stand on its own. On a side bar, Radcliffe and Criss have more in common than H2$. Darren’s production company (began at all places at the dreaded school up north) created the internet sensation “A Very Potter Musical.”
Opening soon for a limited run is the newest entry in Disney’s production juggernaut. Newsies, a little movie musical from the 80s that starred a young little-known actor named Christian Bale. I do not think it was a major hit but has legions of cult fans 😀
Ghost: The Musical. The less said the better. Sounds like a mess and I don’t mean because of the famous clay scene.
In the new revival scene there is a play and a favorite musical about to hit NYC. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is going to fill Willy Loman’s shoes along with Andrew Garfield (the Amazing Spider-Man not the musical the new reboot of the cinematic saga) in Death of a Salesman.
Now for the show that I have had my eye on ever since the news arrived. Lord Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece is coming back! Starlight Express that WONDERFUL engine that could will be skating back into the heart of theatre goers in March. Jesus Christ Superstar enjoyed a new production in Canada last summer and is making its way to the Neil Simon Theatre in March. I just hope that this production is better than the 90s offering that was dreadful and they had the audacity to film it for all to see (not that the 1973 version was the work of genius but King Herod was much more interesting).
Finally…. for a very limited run, the performing wunderkind known as William Shatner will be gracing the stage for the first time in 50 years in a one-man production all his own. I can only imagine…
The kids love watching Jesus Christ Superstar on dvd, especially Christopher. Show tunes aren’t really my thing, so I have to admit that hearing it all the time is kind of annoying 🙂 Who would have thought that the actor I know as Drop Dead Fred is not very musically talented imo?
Yeah, who woulda thunk that?
I still refuse to endorse Superstar though I can understand that the sometimes blasphemous portrayal of Jesus could be viewed simply as Judas’s unbelieving perspective of Jesus.
How would Starlight Express be redone I wonder? Skating as far as I know has mostly died off, though I could be wrong.
I remember Newsies! I guess since it’s already a musical, not much more would have to be done with it than with any Broadway revival.
I don’ see Starlight being done anytime in the forseeable future. I always enjoyed Newsies… at least it is an already made musical unlike most of the “brilliant” movies turned musicals.
Interesting view, Derek, I never thought of it that way. When I first saw it, I wasn’t crazy about the costumes making light of the situation and didn’t like the inaccurate whimsical portrayal of the very serious story. But I’ve come to appreciate how pop culture such as this can introduce people to Christ.
JCS is the reason why Christopher became curious about Jesus’ “owie hat” (=crown of thorns)