With the Tony Awards set for Sunday, June 16, 2024, the Broadway spring season is in full effect. From new plays to new musicals, this past year’s newly mounted and revival shows are preparing to compete for the crown jewel of theatre awards. There is a plethora of shows to check out from original new biographical musicals to nitty, gritty dramatic plays. Fashion Reverie is here to provide a guide for Broadway and live theatre lovers for the spring season.
Image courtesy o broadwaydirect.com
Lempicka
“Lempicka” began previews on March 19, and officially opened on April 14. This musical tells the story of Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka, who became best known for her Art Deco portraits of aristocrats and the wealthy, along with her highly stylized nudes.
Prior to its Broadway run, “Lempicka” saw sold-out performances at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and La Jolla Playhouse. This pop-infused score tells a story of a woman overcoming turmoil, who was seen as ahead of her time. Eden Espinosa, best known for playing the role of Elphaba in “Wicked,” both regionally and on Broadway, stars as the title character of this must-see show.
Image courtesy of broadway.com
The Great Gatsby
Broadway leading man Jeremy Jordan returns home to the Great White Way playing Jay Gatsby in the musical adaptation of the famed F. Scott Fitzgerald novel “The Great Gatsby,” that’s also been adapted for TV and film numerous times. Jordan is joined by Eva Noblezada, who plays Daisy Buchanan. The musical will have its official opening on April 25, 2024.
Image courtesy of broadway.com
Water for Elephants
He might be best known for playing the title character in The CW TV series “The Flash” but actor Grant Gustin proved his singing chops with his recurring role on Ryan Murphy’s “Glee” back when the show was on primetime. Now, he’s brought his vocal talents to Broadway in the musical adaptation of Sarah Gruen’s best-selling novel “Water for Elephants.” The musical is now open after its March 21 official premiere.
Image courtesy of thewizmusical.com
The Wiz
The famed hit musical “The Wiz,” the Black culture adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” returns to Broadway for the first time since the ‘80s in an all-new adaptation. The musical first made history as one of the first big-budget all-black cast musicals to have such a long Broadway run, playing for 1672 performances.
This new revival stars American television host, comedian, and actor Wayne Brady in the title role, and legendary R&B and pop diva Deborah Cox as Glinda. The show is now officially open, with an April 17 premiere.
Image courtesy of outsidersmusical.com
The Outsiders
S.E. Hinton’s novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s film “The Outsiders” has been given musical life in a Broadway adaptation. Set in 1967 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the story follows Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and their chosen family fight for survival and a purpose. The musical marks the Broadway debut of newcomer Brody Grant as Ponyboy.
Image courtesy of broadway.com
The Who’s Tommy
Following a successful run in Chicago, “The Who’s Tommy” returns to Broadway for a Broadway revival that opened on March 28. The Who’s acclaimed rock opera from 1969 features songs that have become synonymous with the pop culture zeitgeist, including “I’m Free” and “Pinball Wizard.” Rising Broadway star Ali Louis Bourzgui stars as the title character in this show-stopping musical.
Image courtesy of broadway.com
Hell’s Kitchen
Alicia Keys is best known for her multiple Grammy-winning albums and her impeccable piano skills. Now, the musician has put her pen to paper to write the music and lyrics for a new Broadway musical titled “Hell’s Kitchen,” set in the New York City neighborhood of the same name. Shoshanna Bean, one of Broadway’s biggest stars, plays the leading lady in this must-see musical that has critics raving.
Image courtesy of notebookmusical.com
The Notebook
Nicholas Sparks’ novel, “The Notebook,” which became a box office movie hit, is now getting the musical theatre treatment with a Broadway adaptation. The epic love story has been gifted the touch of songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, who has taken the tale of two lovers who are constantly dragged apart by outside forces, but ultimately write their love story. The Broadway run officially opened on March 14, following a successful Chicago run.
Image courtesy of broadway.com
Uncle Vanya
Steve Carrell is taking his talents from the television to the stage playing the title character in one of playwright Anton Chekhov’s best-known works, “Uncle Vanya,” adapted by contemporary American playwright and screenwriter Heidi Schreck.
Although a new adaptation, the play still sticks to the themes of people dealing with their unlived lives. Tony-winning actress Anika Noni Rose also joins the cast of this production as Yelena.
Image suffsmusical.com
Suffs
It’s 2024, and women are still fighting for rights from reproductive justice to equal pay. Despite the political battles women are fighting today, the course of women’s rights changed forever with the women’s suffragist movement in the early 20th century. In “Suffs,” a new musical written, composed by and starring singer and songwriter Shaina Taub, the 1913 women’s suffragist movement is documented in Broadway fashion. The producers behind this musical are none other than 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Pakistani women’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai.
Kristopher Fraser
Speak Your Mind