"Wicked" and "The Lion King" are great, sure. But new stuff is so much more fun! New shows! Revivals! New cast albums! New "Good Morning America" performances! New Broadway stars to obsess over! Life does not get better than this.
Here are some incredibly important musicals, in my humble opinion. Some of them have already opened on Broadway, and others are opening later this spring. So get to New York (or wait for the national tours) because these shows are going to rock.
1. "Hamilton"
No one will ever stop talking about this show, and that is totally OK. By the looks of it, this show will be on Broadway for a really, really long time, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Lin-Manuel Miranda once blessed us with "In The Heights," and now he graciously gives us the story of Alexander Hamilton. It's the hottest, completely-worth-the-price ticket in town, and if you get an opportunity to see this show, go.
2. "Allegiance"
Star Trek favorite George Takei stars in a new musical based on his own life during World War II. Alongside Lea Salonga, the cast alone is reason enough to see this show. "Allegiance" is on Broadway now.
3. "The Color Purple"
The West End production hit New York this winter, and we are beyond grateful. The revival, featuring the Oscar- and Grammy-winning Jennifer Hudson, "Orange is the New Black" star Danielle Brooks, and London star Cynthia Erivo (who will single-handedly bring you to tears), will blow you away.
4. "Spring Awakening"
It's back, guys! The score and the story you know and love are reinvented in a completely new show, simultaneously presented in both spoken English and American Sign Language, featuring a cast of hearing and non-hearing actors. Hurry and see this! Deaf West's production is only running until Jan. 24.
5. "Tuck Everlasting"
Featuring Broadway favorites like Terrence Mann(!) and Andrew Keenan-Bolger, the timeless story of the Tuck family will hit the New York stage in April after a previous engagement in Atlanta.
6. "Waitress"
Jessie Mueller and Sara Bareilles. I just sold this show for you, didn't I? Probably. Let me clarify. Starring Tony-winning Jessie Mueller with music and lyrics by Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles, the 2007 movie is a brand new musical coming to Broadway in April. And we are EXCITED.
