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!

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.

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

Final Tony Award Predictions

The Tony Awards are right around the corner, so it is time for my final Tony predictions of the year.  Having read and reread all the precursor awards, looked at the statistics, and gotten the industry buzz, I think I've got a strong list here.  Let's see what happens come Sunday night!

Best Play
Will Win:  All the Way
Should Win: All the Way
Dark Horse: Mothers and Sons

Best Musical
Will Win:  A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Should Win: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Dark Horse: Beautiful

Best Book of a Musical:
Will Win:  A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Should Win: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Dark Horse: Beautiful

Best Score
Will Win:  Bridges of Madison County
Should Win: Bridges of Madison County
Dark Horse: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Best Revival of a Play
Will Win: 12th Night
Should Win: Glass Menagerie
Dark Horse: Glass Menagerie

Best Revival of a Musical
Will Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Should Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Dark Horse: Violet

Best Actor in a Musical
Will Win: Neil Patrick Harris
Should Win: Jefferson Mays
Dark Horse: Jefferson Mays

Best Actress in a Musical
Will Win: Jessie Mueller
Should Win: Kelli O'Hara
Dark Horse: Kelli O'Hara

Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Will Win: James Monroe Iglehart
Should Win: Danny Burstein
Dark Horse: Danny Burstein

Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Will Win: Linda Emond
Should Win: Anika Larsen
Dark Horse: Lena Hall

Best Actor in a Play
Will Win: Bryan Cranston
Should Win: Bryan Cranston
Dark Horse: Mark Rylance

Best Actress in a Play
Will Win: Audra McDonald
Should Win: Cherry Jones
Dark Horse: Cherry Jones

Best Featured Actor in a Play
Will Win: Mark Rylance
Should Win: Mark Rylance
Dark Horse: Reed Birney

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Will Win: Celia Keenan-Bolger
Should Win: Celia Keenan-Bolger
Dark Horse: Mare Winningham

Best Director of a Musical
Will Win: Darko Tresnjak
Should Win: Darko Tresnjak
Dark Horse: Michael Mayer

Best Director of a Play
Will Win: Tim Carroll
Should Win: John Tiffany
Dark Horse: John Tiffany

Best Choreography
Will Win: Warren Carlyle
Should Win: Warren Carlyle
Dark Horse: Casey Nicholaw

Best Orchestrations
Will Win: Jason Robert Brown
Should Win: Jason Robert Brown
Dark Horse: Steve Sidwell

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Will Win: Rocky
Should Win: Rocky
Dark Horse: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Will Win: Act One
Should Win: Machinal
Dark Horse: Glass Menagerie

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Will Win: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Should Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Dark Horse: Bullets Over Broadway

Best Costume Design of a Play
Will Win: 12th Night
Should Win: Casa Valentina
Dark Horse: Casa Valentina

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Will Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Should Win: Brigdes of Madison County
Dark Horse: Rocky

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Will Win: Glass Menagerie
Should Win: Glass Menagerie
Dark Horse: Of Mice and Men

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Will Win: Beautiful
Should Win: Beautiful
Dark Horse: After Midnight

Best Sound Design of a Play
Will Win: Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
Should Win: The Cripple of Inishmaan
Dark Horse: Machinal

59th Annual Drama Desk Award Winners Announced

The Drama Desk Awards were handed out last night in a ceremony hosted by Laura Benanti.  The winners, listed below, have strengthened my resolve in certain predictions for the Tony's and have gotten me to think harder about some of my dark horse candidates in other categories.  As I mentioned in my last set of predictions, I will be updating my pics over the weekend, right before Sunday's awards ceremony.  Without further ado, here are the winners of the 59th Drama Desk Awards.

Outstanding Play:  All the Way
Outstanding Musical:  A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Outstanding Revival of a Play:  12th Night
Outstanding Revival of a Musical:  Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Outstanding Actor in a Play:  Bryan Cranston, All the Way
Outstanding Actress in a Play:  Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill
Outstanding Actor in a Musical (tie):  Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Outstanding Actress in a Musical:  Jessie Mueller, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play:  Reed Birney, Casa Valentina
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play:  Celia Keenan-Bolger, The Glass Menagerie
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical:  James Monroe Iglehart, Aladdin
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (tie):  Anika Larsen, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Lauren Worsham, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Outstanding Director of a Play:  Tim Carroll, 12th Night
Outstanding Director of a Musical:  Darko Tresnjak, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Outstanding Choreography:  Warren Carlyle, After Midnight
Outstanding Music:  Jason Robert Brown, The Bridges of Madison County
Outstanding Lyrics:  Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Outstanding Book of a Musical: Robert L. Freedman, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Outstanding Orchestrations:  Jason Robert Brown, The Bridges of Madison County
Outstanding Set Design:  Rocky
Outstanding Costume Design: Bullets Over Broadway
Outstanding Lighting Design:  Rocky
Outstanding Projection Design:  A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Outstanding Sound Design in a Play:  Machinal
Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical:  Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Outstanding Solo Performance:  John Douglas Thompson, Satchmo at the Waldorf
Unique Theatrical Experience:  Cirkopolis

3rd Round of Tony Predictions

The Tony ceremony is only a week away, so it's time for a third set of predictions.  I will post one more set either Saturday or next Sunday right before the ceremony.

Best Play
Will Win:  All the Way
Should Win: All the Way
Dark Horse: Casa Valentina

Best Musical
Will Win:  A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Should Win: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Dark Horse: Beautiful

Best Book of a Musical:
Will Win:  Beautiful
Should Win: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
Dark Horse: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Best Score
Will Win:  Bridges of Madison County
Should Win: Bridges of Madison County
Dark Horse: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Best Revival of a Play
Will Win: 12th Night
Should Win: Glass Menagerie
Dark Horse: Glass Menagerie

Best Revival of a Musical
Will Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Should Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Dark Horse: Violet

Best Actor in a Musical
Will Win: Neil Patrick Harris
Should Win: Jefferson Mays
Dark Horse: Jefferson Mays

Best Actress in a Musical
Will Win: Kelli O'Hara
Should Win: Kelli O'Hara
Dark Horse: Sutton Foster

Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Will Win: Danny Burstein
Should Win: Danny Burstein
Dark Horse: Nick Cordero

Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Will Win: Anika Larsen
Should Win: Anika Larsen
Dark Horse: Linda Emond

Best Actor in a Play
Will Win: Bryan Cranston
Should Win: Bryan Cranston
Dark Horse: Samuel Barnett

Best Actress in a Play
Will Win: Cherry Jones
Should Win: Cherry Jones
Dark Horse: Audra McDonald

Best Featured Actor in a Play
Will Win: Mark Rylance
Should Win: Mark Rylance
Dark Horse: Reed Birney

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Will Win: Celia Keenan-Bolger
Should Win: Celia Keenan-Bolger
Dark Horse: Mare Winningham

Best Director of a Musical
Will Win: Michael Mayer
Should Win: Darko Tresnjak
Dark Horse: Darko Tresnjak

Best Director of a Play
Will Win: Tim Carroll
Should Win: John Tiffany
Dark Horse: John Tiffany

Best Choreography
Will Win: Warren Carlyle
Should Win: Warren Carlyle
Dark Horse: Casey Nicholaw

Best Orchestrations
Will Win: Jason Robert Brown
Should Win: Jason Robert Brown
Dark Horse: Steve Sidwell

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Will Win: Rocky
Should Win: Rocky
Dark Horse: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Will Win: Machinal
Should Win: Machinal
Dark Horse: Machinal

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Will Win: Bullets Over Broadway
Should Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Dark Horse: Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Best Costume Design of a Play
Will Win: Casa Valentina
Should Win: Casa Valentina
Dark Horse: 12th Night

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Will Win: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Should Win: Brigdes of Madison County
Dark Horse: Rocky

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Will Win: Machinal
Should Win: Glass Menagerie
Dark Horse: Glass Menagerie

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Will Win: After Midnight
Should Win: Beautiful
Dark Horse: Beautiful

Best Sound Design of a Play
Will Win: Machinal
Should Win: The Cripple of Inishmaan
Dark Horse: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Elizabeth Moss Rumors

Could Peggy Olson return to Broadway?  The answer seems to be yes.  Elizabeth Moss, four-time Emmy-nominated star of Mad Men is in negotiations to return to the Great White Way in The Heidi Chronicles.  The play, a 1989 Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning work by Wendy Wasserstein, is considered to be the playwright's magnum opus.  It focuses, in episodic structure, on the title character's ever changing views on politics, feminism, men, and motherhood, as well as her emotional journey from the 1960's through the 1980's.  Nothing has been finalized, however, pending other casting and theater availability for the production which is aiming to hit Broadway in late fall, 2015.

Ms. Moss' representatives have made no comment, but Jeffrey Richards, who will be a producer on this production and who produced Ms. Moss' previous Broadway outing (David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow), had this to say about the production: "All I can say is that Elizabeth is a wonderful stage actress and I had the huge privilege of working with her on 'Speed-the-Plow'.  And I am riveted by her Peggy on 'Mad Men' and would love to work with her again some day."

Though unconfirmed by anyone involved, Pam MacKinnon -- a 2013 Tony winner for her direction of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which also won the 2013 Tony for Best Revival of a Play -- is being courted to direct the project.

More Tony Performances Announced

More of the performances we can expect to see on the June 8th Tony Awards ceremony have been announced.  In addition to previously reported performances, there will be performances by Neil Patrick Harris and the cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Sutton Foster and the cast of Violet, Alan Cumming and the cast of Cabaret, and Idina Menzel, who will perform a song from her current Broadway show, If/Then.

The cast of Wicked, celebrating its 10th anniversary on Broadway, will perform at this year's awards ceremony.  Sting will perform a number from his upcoming Broadway bound musical.  Also, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, and Fantasia will perform with the Tony-nominated musical After Midnight.

Tony Performances Announced

The 68th Tony Awards, which will be held on June 8th, 2014, and will be hosted by Hugh Jackman, will begin with a performance from Best Musical nominee After Midnight.  That show's performance will include performances from Fantasia Barrino, Patti LaBelle, k.d. Lang, and Gladys Knight.  Hugh Jackman may even join in the fun.  During the Tony telecast, Sting will perform a number from his upcoming musical, The Last Ship.  There will also be performances by Jessie Mueller of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Neil Patrick Harris of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and the cast of Aladdin performing the showstopper "Friend Like Me".

You Heard it Here First!

There are two news items that I just came across that I wanted to  bring to your attention.  The first of them comes with a prediction about a show that I think will come to Broadway, even if the producers don't know it yet.  The second is about a production whose producers have stated that they are eyeing Broadway.

Playbill.com has reported that the London revival of Miss Saigon, which opened last night, has already recouped its £4.5 million ($7.6 million) initial investment.  Producer Cameron Macintosh said in a press release, "The show's budget was £4.5 million -- which is not a huge amount.  I didn't need to spend more than that and I think it looks every penny.  We have recouped already."  This production set a record for single-day ticket sales, making Broadway and West End history, when tickets went on sale in September.  This makes it all the more likely that the production will transfer to Broadway at some point in 2015.

In other news, Broadway.com has published an article saying that James Corden, who won a Leading Actor in a Play Tony in 2012 for One Man, Two Guvnors, is in talks to return to Broadway.  Corden could return to Broadway in a revival of the Bert Shevelove / Larry Gelbart / Stephen Sondheim musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum under the direction of Tony-nominee Alex Timbers.  The production is hoping to open on the Main Stem in the spring of 2015.