Friday, August 29, 2014

New Shows on the Broadway Horizon

There are several Broadway aimed shows that have been talked about or announced in varying levels of certainty over the last several weeks that I would like to bring to your attention.  In no particular order, they are:

Frozen:  Although there is no clear timeline for this one, it has been confirmed that the hit Disney movie Frozen will be coming to Broadway.  One of the film's producers has gone on the official record to state that there will be a Broadway adaptation in the property's future.

Finding Neverland:  The Broadway-bound adaptation of the 2004 Johnny Depp/Kate Winslet movie had its premier at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has been breaking box office records.  The musical is going to hit Broadway in March and is being rumored to enter the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, following the January departure of that theater's current tenant -- Motown: The Musical.

Shakespeare in Love:  This musical adaptation of the 1998 Gwyneth Paltrow/Joseph Fiennes movie opened to smash-hit success in London.  Though no official plans have been put in place, the producers of the London version are eyeing a Broadway run starting in the 2014-2015 season.

It Shoulda Been You:  An Equity casting notice has led to speculation that the show will be hitting Broadway in March of 2015.  The show was originally produced at the George Street Playhouse in New Jersey.  Let's see what will be!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Full Casting for Upcoming "Elephant Man" Revival Revealed

Several sources are reporting that the full cast for the upcoming revival of Bernard Pomerance's Tony-winning play The Elephant Man has been revealed.  In addition to previously announced stars Bradley Cooper as John Merrick, Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson as Mrs. Kendall, and Alessandro Nivola as Dr. Frederick Treves, seven new actors have been announced as joining the cast.  They are, in no particular order, Chris Bannow, Peter Bradbury, Lucas Calhoun, Amanda Lea Mason, Marguerite Stimpson, and Emma Thorne.  Mr. Cooper, a two-time Academy Award nominee, previously played John Merrick in a 2012 production at Williamstown Theatre Festival.

The team behind the scenes includes Scott Ellis taking on the direction of the piece (he previously directed Mr. Cooper in the Williamstown production), Timothy R. Mackabee designing the sets and the projections, Clint Ramos on costumes, Philip S. Rosenberg for lighting design, and John Gromada designing the sound as well as composing original music for the piece.

The production will begin previews on November 7th in anticipation of a Devember 7th opening night.  The production will play a limited run through February 15th, 2015 at the Booth Theatre.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The New Broadway Season

It's that time of year again … time to start off the blog for another season.  As is my tradition for the new year, I will start off the year by posting a list of what the upcoming year has in store -- the shows that have been announced for the year, the theater where it will be playing, opening dates, and, in the case of limited runs, closing dates.  The shows are in order of their opening dates (which sometimes change as the dates get closer).


This is Our Youth -- September 11th -- Cort Theatre

Love Letters -- September 18th -- Brooks Atkinson Theatre

You Can't Take it With You -- September 28th -- Longacre Theatre

The Country House -- October 2nd -- Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime -- October 5th -- Ethel Barrymore Theatre

It's Only A Play -- October 9th to January 4th -- Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

On the Town -- October 16th -- Lyric Theatre

Disgraced -- October 23rd -- Lyceum Theatre

The Last Ship -- October 26th -- Neil Simon Theatre

The Real Thing -- October 30th to January 4th -- American Airlines Theatre

The River -- November 16th to January 25th -- Circle in the Square

Side Show -- November 17th -- St. James Theatre

A Delicate Balance -- November 20th to Fenruary 22nd -- John Golden Theatre

The Illusionists -- December 4th to January 4th -- Marquis Theatre

The Elephant Man -- December 7th to February 15th -- Booth Theatre

Constellation -- January 13th -- Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Honeymoon in Vegas -- January 15th -- Nederlander Theatre

A Fish in the Dark -- March 5th -- Cort Theatre

The Audience -- March 8th to June 28th -- Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

On the 20th Century -- March 12th -- American Airlines Theatre

The Heidi Chronicles -- March 19th -- Music Box Theatre

Skylight -- April 2nd -- Golden Theatre

Hand to G-d -- April 7th -- Booth Theatre

Gigi -- April 8th -- Neil Simon Theatre

Wolf Hall: Parts 1 & 2 -- April 9th -- Winter Garden Theatre

An American in Paris -- April 12th -- Palace Theatre

It Shoulda Been You -- April 14th -- Brooks Atkinson Theatre

Finding Neverland -- April 15th -- Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

The King and I -- April 16th -- Vivian Beaumont Theatre

Fun Home -- April 19th -- Circle in the Square

Living on Love -- April 20th -- Longacre Theatre

Dr. Zhivago -- April 21st -- Broadway Theatre

Something Rotten -- April 22nd -- St. James Theatre

Airline Highway -- April 23rd -- Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

The Visit -- April 23rd -- Lyceum Theatre