When I first approached Broadway, it was like another world. I was captivated by the giant marquees, the Broadway posters hanging on the street walls, the bright neon lights and the overall magic in the air. The fact that one street in an entire city could make a person feel so alive was pretty remarkable. The other aspect that I found incredible over the years was the amount of time and effort applied to each production.
Of course I wish I had the money to watch every Broadway show, but here are five returning and upcoming Broadway shows that you absolutely cannot miss.
1. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL
Returning to Broadway for 18 weeks straight, through the grapevine, is Motown the Musical based on Berry Gordy’s autobiography. This musical tells the story of how music from a few of my personal favorites and classics, like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and many more, has shaped history. The previews for this production will begin July 12 at The Nederlander Theatre.
2. CATS
This Tony-winning musical is a personal favorite of mine and is the fourth longest running production with 7,485 performances. At just two years old, my mother exposed me to this Broadway show and I was completely captivated. The story is about a tribe of Jellicle cats who have to make a choice of which cat will go to the Heaviside Layer, based on a book by T.S Eliot and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It's coming to the Neil Simon Theatre opening July 31, 2016 with Leona Lewis, Quentin Earl Darrington, Jeremy Davis and many more.
3. NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
A musical adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, music by Dave Malloy and directed by Rachel Chavkin, it tells the story of a woman who visits Moscow awaiting her fiancée, Andrey, to return from war. During her time in Moscow she is allured by a married man, Anatole. The only person who can help fix her love life and reputation is Pierre, who also happens to be in love with Natasha. Previews begin at the Imperial Theatre October 18, 2016 and opens November 14, 2016, starring Josh Groban.
4. HOLIDAY INN: The New Irving Berlin Musical
This is a Broadway musical about a dancer, Jim, who leaves show business and goes to a farmhouse in Connecticut. There, he meets a schoolteacher, Linda, who helps him turn his farmhouse into a Holiday Inn. The production will finally be brought to life on Broadway at Studio 54 opening October 13, 2016. Music and lyrics are by Irving Berlin, based on the book by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge.
5. HEISENBERG
This stars Mary-Louise Parker who plays a woman, Georgie, who kisses a man named Alex (Denis Arndt) at a London train station. The play then dives into the electrifying relationship that these two strangers have together. Written by Tony winner Simon Stephens, directed by Mark Brokaw, the first preview is September 20, 2016. Opening night is October 13, 2016 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
There are Broadway shows that appeal to every kind of person, and if you’ve never been to Broadway, what better time to go than now? The shows above are just a few productions Broadway has to offer soon. So get to it! Hopefully you’ll be able to see a show before I do.
