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Broadway's Best

Broadway’s Best Touring Shows

Photo by Joan Marcus

While “Broadway” refers to a specific set of Tony-eligible theatres located in midtown Manhattan, the term is metonymic of an entire industry. To theatergoers around the country and world, “Broadway” translates to high-quality musicals and plays performed by world-class artists; overall top-notch theatre. 

Since not everyone can make it to New York City, the magic of Broadway is brought to audiences across North America through touring productions. With the holidays approaching, these special productions can also serve as great family activities, or even just a great gift for your theatre-loving-loved-ones. Here’s a glimpse into some of Broadway’s best touring shows that are currently captivating audiences from coast to coast (and beyond).

Beetlejuice

Based on Tim Burton’s iconic film, Beetlejuice brings the afterlife to the stage with humor, irreverence, and spectacular special effects. After two Broadway runs, pre- and post-shutdown, the show has gone out across the country, where it continues to make headlines, both for what’s happening onstage and off…

The Lion King

Disney’s The Lion King continues its reign as a theatrical masterpiece, both on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre and in touring houses all over. Since opening on Broadway in 1997 and launching its first tour in 2002, the modern classic has had several national and international tour companies bringing Simba’s story far and wide. The latest tour launched in 2017 and is still going strong, with dates scheduled through summer 2024.

The Wiz

Ease on down the road with The Wiz, a soulful and energetic retelling of “The Wizard of Oz.” Set to hit Broadway in spring 2024 with Schele Williams at the helm and Wayne Brady in the title role following the tour, this production promises to bring a fresh and vibrant perspective to the beloved tale.

Mamma Mia

ABBA’s hits take center stage in Mamma Mia, now back on the road celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary. Since opening on Broadway in 2001, the jukebox musical has had many touring and international engagements, as well as two film installments (to date), becoming a global cultural phenomenon. You now have your shot to get in on the fun; the new tour kicked off in Elmira, NY in October 2023 and is scheduled to travel the country through at least summer 2024.

Funny Girl

After a bountiful Broadway run with Lea Michele in the leading role, the revival has hit the road. The classic musical Funny Girl tells the story of Fanny Brice, a legendary Ziegfeld Follies star. With a blend of humor, romance, and unforgettable music, this production showcases the indomitable spirit of a woman who dared to follow her dreams. Michael Mayer’s direction alongside choreography by Ellenore Scott is now on view in theatres around the country.

Wicked

Wicked has cast its spell on audiences for over 20 years as it explores the untold story of the Witches of Oz. This visually stunning production, featuring iconic songs like ‘Defying Gravity,’ ‘Popular,’ ‘For Good,’ and more, continues to captivate with its imaginative storytelling and powerful performances. The tour continues to make stops all over North America, with several international productions having played all over the world over the years. Even more theatre enthusiasts will also get to experience the magic of Wicked when Jon M. Chu’s two-part film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande hits movie theatres in 2024 and 2025.

Company

Britney Coleman leads the cast of this national tour as Bobbie. Following its 2021-2022 Tony-winning Broadway run, this Sondheim revival is traveling the country, with stops scheduled into late summer of 2024. In Marianne Elliot’s updated take on the classic concept musical, Bobbie is a 35-year-old woman reckoning with her love life as well as those of her mostly married friends, and haunted by the pressures of living in 21st century New York City.

Girl From the North Country

Playwright Conor McPherson’s narrative spin on the song catalog of Bob Dylan launched a cross-country tour in October 2023, kicking things off in Minneapolis. The folk musical played two separate engagements at the Belasco Theatre, closing in June 2022. The tour currently has stops scheduled into mid-2024 with more to be announced!

Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s revolutionary musical Hamilton remains a cultural phenomenon. This hip-hop-infused tale of Alexander Hamilton’s life has become a must-see for theater enthusiasts, and good thing then that there are so many opportunities to see it, with as many as three separate touring companies having launched, sometimes playing different ends of the country at the same time.  

Hadestown

Hadestown offers a unique and mesmerizing take on the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus & Eurydice and Hades & Persephone. This Tony Award-winning Best Musical combines folk, jazz, and blues music to sing this “old song” again and again and again. With short stints through the United States on offer until May 2024, don’t miss catching Anaïs Mitchell’s hauntingly beautiful score and lyrics while you can!

Broadway enthusiasts can catch so many more sensational productions currently on tour, including Aladdin, MJ The Musical, To Kill a Mockingbird, Moulin Rouge!, Mrs. Doubtfire, SIX, and more!

Broadway’s best touring shows offer a taste of the magic and excitement that define the New York City theater scene. Whether it’s a timeless classic, a contemporary hit, or a reimagined tale, these productions bring the thrill of Broadway to audiences across North America and around the world. So, grab your tickets, sit back, and let the enchantment unfold in a city near you!

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Creative

Where’s That Cast Now? Spamalot Edition

Photo by Joan Marcus

With Spamalot having returned to Broadway 18 years after its debut, readers may be curious about what the original 2005 cast is up to now. Below, Broadway’s Best Shows is celebrating the original cast of the spoof-filled musical and the careers they’ve enjoyed since.

Hank Azaria

A voice acting legend for his 30+ years of work on The Simpsons, Azaria made his Broadway debut as Sir Lancelot in Spamalot. He later appeared in the 2007 Aaron Sorkin play The Farnsworth Invention on Broadway and has appeared in many TV shows and movies, most recently starring in Brockmire and The Idol, while continuing on The Simpsons.

SNL alum Taran Killam plays Lancelot in 2023, with Beetlejuice’s Alex Brightman set to take over the part in January 2024.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Christian Borle

Borle had maybe the craziest track in a show where everyone played 2-5 characters. In the program, he was listed as “Historian, Not Dead Fred, French Guard, Minstrel, Prince Herbert.” He went on to Legally Blonde, and Falsettos, two performances seen far and wide after they were recorded for television, and has two Tonys, for Peter and the Starcatcher and Something Rotten. He was nominated again for 2023’s Some Like It Hot. Oh yes, and he was on Smash. 

Spongebob’s erstwhile simple sponge Ethan Slater steps into the track in 2023. 

Photo by Joan Marcus

David Hyde Pierce

Pierce was possibly the most famous actor coming into Spamalot, after eleven years on Frasier. While he had acted on Broadway before, he learned to sing and dance for the production. After his turn at the Round Table, he won a Tony for his performance in Curtains, appeared in Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike, and worked opposite Bette Midler in Hello, Dolly! He can currently be seen at The Shed in the final Sondheim musical Here We Are, and on the MAX series Julia. 

Michael Urie plays his role in the 2023 production. 

Photo by Joan Marcus

Sara Ramirez

Ramirez has recently reentered the zeitgeist with their attention-grabbing role as Che Diaz on And Just Like That, but theater fans know them as the Tony-winning Lady of the Lake in Spamalot. In the intervening period, they worked on eleven seasons of Grey’s Anatomy as Callie Torres, breaking barriers for queer representation in television. 

Beetlejuice’s Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer steps into the part for 2023. 

Photo by Joan Marcus

Christopher Sieber

After his Tony-nominated stint as Sir Galahad in the original Spamalot, Sieber did a series of impressive physical comedy roles, including originating the role of Lord Farquaad in Shrek, garnering another Tony nom, replacing as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, and rolling around the floor of the Jacobs doing martial arts with Jennifer Simard in 2022’s Company revival. The role of Trent Oliver in The Prom was written specifically for him.

Broadway stalwart Nik Walker takes over the role in 2023.

Tim Curry

Tim Curry made his fourth Broadway appearance, as King Arthur, in Spamalot. His post-Spamalot work is sadly limited, due to a stroke in 2012, although he did make a winning turn narrating the 2016 Rocky Horror Picture Show remake. He has also worked extensively as a voice actor, including in the critically acclaimed animated series Over the Garden Wall.

James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin, Hamilton) plays the part in 2023.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Michael McGrath

McGrath, Spamalot’s loyal Patsy and a beloved New York character actor, appeared in an incredible nine Broadway shows afterward. Most recently he understudied Matthew Broderick in Plaza Suite, and starred as Ladislav Sipos in Roundabout’s 2016 revival of She Loves Me, among many other credits. Sadly, McGrath passed away in fall 2023.

Christopher Fitzgerald (Waitress) plays Patsy in 2023. 

And a special bonus…

Hannah Waddingham

Waddingham starred as the Lady of the Lake when the production moved to London, and also came to New York near the end of its run. In 2020, Waddingham vaulted to stardom as football club owner Rebecca Welton on Ted Lasso, winning an Emmy for her performance. She was also the “Shame Nun” on Game of Thrones and a helicopter parent on Sex Education. 

Waddingham is releasing a Christmas special on Apple TV, and an accompanying album, both out on November 22nd.

Categories
Creative

The Broadway Guide to Watching the 2023 Thanksgiving Day Parade

When is the Thanksgiving Day Parade? 

This year’s parade broadcast is on Thursday, November 23rd and starts at 8:30 am ET, a half hour earlier than usual. The event will end at 12 pm noon.

How do I watch the parade (especially the Broadway shows in the parade)?

NBC is the primary broadcaster for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you don’t have a TV but you have a cable provider login information, you can watch on NBC.com. Alternatively, you can sign up for Peacock for $5.99/month. (Peacock does not offer free trials, but, note to our younger readers – they offer a student plan for $1.99/month.)

CBS will also broadcast the parade starting at 9 am. Similarly, you can log in on CBS.com with your cable provider, or you can stream on Paramount+ for $5.99/month after a one-week free trial. 

What Broadway shows will be in this year’s parade? 

Eight Broadway shows will perform as part of the parade this year, five on NBC and three on CBS. The five shows performing live on NBC are & Juliet, Back to the Future, Shucked, How to Dance In Ohio, and Spamalot. Performances from Broadway shows take place at the parade end point at Macy’s Herald Square. Macy’s does not announce precisely when each show will perform, but they always occur during the first 90 minutes of the broadcast, while the parade itself meanders from the Upper West Side to Macy’s. So make sure to wake up early if you want to catch your favorite shows!

Purlie Victorious star Leslie Odom, Jr. and Gutenberg duo Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad will also stop by the parade route to chat with the NBC hosts, and Mean Girls star Ashley Park will be on the Sesame Street float. Expect to see Leslie, Andrew and Josh, between 8:45 am and 10 am, and Ashley between 11 am and 12 pm.

The CBS broadcast will include exclusive pre-taped performances from Chicago, Aladdin, and A Beautiful Noise. Chicago will feature ‘The Hot Honey Rag,’ performed by current Velma Kelly Kimberly Marable, and a unique appearance by CBS newscaster and former Rockette Keltie Knight. Expect these three performances to be spread out across the three-hour broadcast. 

Due to copyright restrictions, the performances won’t be on YouTube after. If there’s a particular show you don’t want to miss, check the show’s social media pages the morning of Thanksgiving – sometimes they’ll offer hints as to when exactly the show goes on TV. 

More Helpful Info

The parade features many exciting performers beyond Broadway, including 11 university and high school marching bands, Bhangra, Salsa, and tap dance troupes, the Big Apple Circus, and this year’s Miss America, a nuclear physicist and classical violinist from Wisconsin. 

If you’re interested in viewing the parade in person, the 2.5-mile parade route starts at the Natural History Museum on 77th and Central Park West, curves East on 59th St, and travels down 6th Avenue from 59th to 34th. 

On Wednesday, November 22nd from 12-6pm, New Yorkers can view the massive balloons as they get filled with helium outside the Natural History Museum on 77th and Central Park West. The entrance and security check are down on 72nd st and Columbus.

Categories
Capsule Reviews

Spamalot

Photo by Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman

by Maxwell Sterling

Following a triumphant stint at The Kennedy Center, the Broadway revival of Spamalot opened last night at the St. James Theatre with a stellar cast who is having so much fun, you can’t help but have a great time. Standout performances include Taran Killam, who masterfully tackles some of Monty Python’s most famous characters including the closeted Sir Lancelot, the French Taunter, and the Knight Who Says “Ni!”. Michael Urie does a phenomenal job as the not-so-brave Sir Robin. Leslie Kritzer, as the Lady of the Lake, steals the show with a powerhouse rendition of ‘Whatever Happened to My Part?’ Her commanding presence and vocal prowess bring the house down. Expertly directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, the over-the-top comedy makes this an unmissable spectacle of joy, absurdity, and charm.

Categories
Long Form

From Jazz Age to the Modern Stage: A History of Tap Dance on Broadway

Courtesy of New York Public Library

Broadway has witnessed the evolution of various dance forms, but none have left as indelible a mark as tap dance. The rhythmic, percussive art of tap dance has not only entertained audiences but has also played a crucial role in shaping the very essence of musical theatre. Today, tap dance takes a starring role in Casey Nicholaw’s Tony Award-winning choreography for Some Like It Hot, and Rodgers & Hart’s classic Pal Joey gets a Savion Glover-powered jazzy choreographic makeover in New York City Center’s revival. In celebration, Broadway’s Best Shows is taking you on a journey through time to explore the rich history of tap dance on Broadway, highlighting shows and artists who have left an impact on the form.

The Birth of Tap Dance

There was no one individual ‘inventor’ of tap dance. Instead its roots can be traced back to the fusion of African, Irish, and British folk dances in the United States. This dance form evolved from the rhythmic body and foot movements of enslaved people from Africa and the “jigs” brought by Irish immigrants. The elements coalesced in Lower Manhattan in the mid-19th century after the abolition of slavery in New York State in 1827. The poorest New Yorkers – the formerly enslaved, and the Irish – were forced to live together in slums, combining their cultural traditions and creating a unique American art form that would eventually find its way to Broadway.

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson: A Pioneering Force

One of the earliest and most influential figures in the history of tap dance on Broadway was Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. Robinson’s legendary career began in vaudeville but quickly transitioned to Broadway, where he starred in the famous “Blackbirds of 1928.” Robinson’s grace, precision, and charisma paved the way for other African-American dancers, challenging racial barriers during a time of segregation. 

“Shuffle Along:” A Groundbreaking Musical

“Shuffle Along,” on Broadway in 1921, was a turning point in the history of tap dance. This show, with Broadway’s first all-Black cast and creative team, introduced syncopated tap routines that would become iconic. The choreography by Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, along with the performances of Paul Robeson, and later on the national tour, Josephine Baker, showcased the energy and innovation of tap dance. It ran for 484 performances 1921-1922, an incredibly long run for the era.

The story of the show’s creation was later chronicled in the 2016 Broadway musical “Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed,” which starred a who’s who of Black Broadway stars including Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Joshua Henry, Brandon Victor Dixon, Adrienne Warren, and more. It was directed George C. Wolfe and choreographed by the legendary Savion Glover (who we’ll discuss more further down).

Eleanor Powell: The Queen of Tap

Eleanor Powell was another tap sensation who made waves on Broadway during the 1930s and 1940s. Her performances in shows like “At Home Abroad,” among others, and films including “Born to Dance” demonstrated her remarkable technical skills and her ability to tell a story through dance. 

The Golden Age of Musicals

The 1930s and 1940s also marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Musicals on Broadway, and tap dance played a pivotal role. Musicals like “On Your Toes” (1936) incorporated show-stopping tap numbers that showcased the athleticism and charisma of their dancers. The choreography of the great George Balanchine, in “On Your Toes,” combined ballet (“Slaughter on Tenth Avenue”) and tap, pushing the boundaries of the art form.

The Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold Nicholas, were two teenagers from Philadelphia, aged 18 and 11, when they were plucked from performing at the Cotton Club in New York City to dancing on the big screen in 1930s MGM musicals. Their influence was far and wide – everyone from Michael Jackson to Mikhail Baryshnikov were fans of their acrobatic, athletic partnered dancing. 

Gene Kelly, another important performer of the era, took tap dance to new heights with his athleticism and innovative choreography. His work in “Pal Joey” and “Anchors Aweigh” displayed the versatility and expressiveness of tap dance, bridging the gap between Broadway and Hollywood.

The Nicholas brothers’ most famous routine, from the 1943 movie Stormy Weather: 

“42nd Street:” A Tap Extravaganza

The 1980 Broadway production of “42nd Street” took tap dance to a whole new level. This musical, choreographed by Gower Champion, featured extravagant tap numbers that became legendary in their own right. The opening sequence alone, with a chorus line of over 60 dancers, is still celebrated as one of the most iconic tap dance moments in Broadway history. The long-running revival of the musical that opened in 2001 further cemented its place in dance history. 

Savion Glover: Revolutionizing Tap Dance

In the modern era, Savion Glover emerged as a revolutionary force in tap dance. Known for his lightning-fast footwork and innovative choreography, Glover has been a driving influence on the art form. He gained recognition for his work in several Broadway productions, including “Black and Blue” (1989) and “The Tap Dance Kid” (1983). Opening on Broadway in 1983, “The Tap Dance Kid” is a musical about a 10-year-old New Yorker who longs to be a dancer like his uncle and grandfather and his attorney father who forbids him from dancing. Choreographer Danny Daniels won the Tony Award and Astaire Award for his work. A year into the show’s run, a 10-year-old dancer Savion Glover took over the role of Willie. In 2022, Glover directed the Encores! Presentation of the show.

Glover’s exceptional talent and contributions to the Broadway stage were further highlighted when he won a Tony Award for his choreography in “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk” (1996), a groundbreaking production that fused traditional and modern tap. His performance in the show also earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.

Savion Glover’s continued dedication to preserving and advancing tap dance has solidified his status as a legend of the art form. His unique style and storytelling through rhythm have influenced countless tap dancers and choreographers. Recently, his work on the revisal of “Pal Joey” fused tap, ballet, and traditional Broadway.

The history of tap dance on Broadway is a testament to the power of creativity, diversity, and innovation within the world of musical theatre. It continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of performers and choreographers, ensuring that the rhythm of Broadway will always be one filled with the joy and energy of tap dance.

Categories
Capsule Reviews

Gutenberg!

Photo by Matthew Murphy

by Jackson Court

Alex Timbers, Josh Gad, and Andrew Rannells equal a non-stop night of laughs. A parody of the writing and producing process, Gutenberg! follows the one-night-only presentation of Gutenberg the Musical, written by and starring Bud (Josh Gad) and Doug (Andrew Rannells). The two present their larger-than-life musical idea to an audience full of “Broadway Producers,” but having spent all their budget on the theater, the two must play every character, alternating between literal hats labeled with character names. This gleefully self-aware comedy hits the mark, showcasing the unmatched chemistry between Gad and Rannells. 

Gutenberg! The Musical! Is playing through January 28th, 2024, at the James Earl Jones Theatre. 

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Broadway's Best

Broadway’s Best Spooky Shows

Broadway has a long history of captivating audiences with a wide range of shows, from heartwarming musicals to thought-provoking dramas. But when Halloween season rolls around, there’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a spine-tingling and eerie performance. In celebration of the annual spookfest, we’re throwing back to some of Broadway’s scariest offerings.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

“The Phantom of the Opera”

Though the famed Phantom is no longer haunting Broadway’s Majestic Theatre, the Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece enthralled audiences for decades. With its haunting score and the enigmatic Phantom lurking beneath the Paris Opera House, this classic tale of love and obsession surely gets the title of Broadway’s Best Spooky Show.

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”

A macabre musical masterpiece by Stephen Sondheim, “Sweeney Todd” tells the tale of a vengeful barber who dispatches his victims to be baked into meat pies. With dark humor, chilling themes, and memorable songs, it’s a must-see for Halloween. You can still catch stars Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford attending the tale on Broadway for another couple of months… We recommend you get your meat pie fix.

“Jekyll & Hyde”

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, this musical explores the dual nature of man. Dr. Jekyll’s transformation into the sinister Mr. Hyde is a perfect metaphor for the darkness that lies within us all. And who can forget the horror of David Hasselhoff’s starring 2000-2001 turn?

“Into the Woods”

Stephen Sondheim strikes again with this enchanting yet eerie twist on classic fairy tales. “Into the Woods” explores the consequences of characters’ wishes, reminding us that not all fairy tales have happy endings. 1987 audiences were surprised by how dark a story featuring Cinderella and Rapunzel could get. Though you may have missed your opportunity to catch the 2022 Broadway revival and its subsequent tour, the latest Broadway cast recording might suffice.

“Carrie: The Musical”

An adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic horror novel, “Carrie: The Musical” explores the trauma and torment of a telekinetic teen in a small, unforgiving town. With intense emotions and shocking scenes (the prop list does call for buckets of blood), it’s not for the faint of heart. Surely there’s a high school or community theater running the show this month. 

“Beetlejuice”

A comically macabre tale of the afterlife, “Beetlejuice” is a fun and quirky Halloween pick. Follow the antics of the obnoxious yet lovable demon, Beetlejuice, as he helps a recently deceased couple navigate the netherworld. The production is out on tour through June 2024, so make sure to take advantage when the undead man himself comes to haunt your hometown!

“The Rocky Horror Show”

While not originally a Broadway production, this cult classic, the basis for the legendary 1975 movie, has become a staple in Halloween entertainment, and did have a couple of Broadway stints, in 1975 and 2000. Join the Time Warp and celebrate all things spooky and sensational with the eccentric characters of Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s castle. Check your local listings; there’s always a production or two on offer at this time of year, as well as opportunities to see “shadow casts” perform along with the movie. 

Whether you’re into classic horror stories, dark comedies, or supernatural tales, there’s something for everyone in these captivating and eerie shows. So, this Halloween season, grab your tickets and prepare for a night of thrilling entertainment, whether on Broadway, on tour, or on the stage of your local community theatre.

Categories
Capsule Reviews

Here We Are

by Lulu Diamond

The collaborative genius of Stephen Sondheim and David Ives is evident in every note, every line, and every scene of Here We Are, which opened Off-Broadway on October 22nd at The Shed. Sondheim’s signature melodic complexity intertwines seamlessly with Ives’ sharp and witty dialogue, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and intellectually stimulating. Under the expert guidance of director Joe Mantello, the production comes alive with energy and precision, showcasing the immense talent of this all-star cast. Rachel Bay Jones and Bobby Cannavale are in their element, giving performances filled with humor and heart. David Zinn’s scenic design is a true marvel and incorporates some of the most innovative transitions seen in an Off-Broadway theater. Though the show’s score is notably unfinished, Here We Are still delivers an enjoyable evening of entertainment, living up to the legacy of Sondheim.

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Broadway's Best

Broadway’s Best Women Composers & Lyricists

In the world of Broadway, where melodies and lyrics transport audiences to new realms of emotion, the spotlight has long shone on remarkable talents responsible for crafting the songs that define our favorite musicals. While the overwhelming majority of composers and lyricists are men, a roster of brilliant women has long been making waves, breaking barriers, and leaving an indelible mark on the Main Stem. Here, we celebrate Broadway’s Best Women Composers & Lyricists, highlighting the small but mighty group of women who composed for the stage in the 20th century. 

Mary Rodgers

Rodgers is perhaps best known for the 1959 musical Once Upon a Mattress. Later writing credits included 1978’s Working. Her sardonic memoirs were published posthumously in 2022 with the help of her friend, New York Times critic Jesse Green, and they detail, with her signature sense of humor, how she found it nearly impossible to be both a composer and a parent, eventually transitioning into writing children’s books, such as the original Freaky Friday. Mattress will receive a production in January 2023 at City Center Encores!, starring Sutton Foster and Michael Urie, and directed by Lear DeBesonnet (Into the Woods). 

Sarah Jessica Parker performs “Shy” from Mattress

Carol Hall

Carol Hall was one of the first composers to introduce country western styles to Broadway audiences, with her score for 1978’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The musical was turned into a film starring Dolly Parton, and it turned Hall’s song “Hard Candy Christmas” into a holiday season standard. Her body of work is not entirely “adult” material – Hall contributed music to the landmark 1972 children’s album Free to Be You and Me, along with Mary Rodgers, and wrote songs for the early seasons of Sesame Street.

The original Broadway cast performs “Hard Candy Christmas” 

Micki Grant

Micki Grant first rose to prominence as an actor, appearing in the Langston Hughes Broadway shows Tambourines to Glory and Jericho-Jim Crow in the 1960s. In 1972, she was the first woman, and the first African-American, to write both the music and lyrics for a musical, for Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope. She became a 3-time Tony nominee that season, as well as receiving an OBIE award. Grant, like Rodgers, later contributed songs to 1978’s Working, and also contributed writing to Your Arms Too Short to Box With God and Eubie. 

“If I Could’ve Been”, the act 1 finale of Working, contributed by Grant:

The entirety of the Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope LP is on YouTube:

Lucy Simon

Lucy Simon began her songwriting career with her sister, Carly Simon. After contributing songs to the Off-Broadway revue A…My Name Is Alice, she composed the music for 1991’s The Secret Garden, for which she was nominated for a Tony. Garden was the first musical to have an all-female writing and directing team.

“Lily’s Eyes” from The Secret Garden

Elizabeth Swados

Elizabeth “Liz” Swados won an OBIE award and was nominated for 5 Tonys for her 1978 musical Runaways. Originating at the Public Theater, the unconventional revue told the stories of homeless youth in New York City who had run away from home. Swados also directed and choreographed the production. After the success of Runaways, Swados contributed the music to the Broadway musical Doonesbury, and later became an off-Broadway stalwart. She influenced generations of theater artists as a professor at NYU. 

“I Can Have It All” from Doonesbury

The Encores! Off-Center revival of Runaways.

A soon-to-be member of this list is Shaina Taub, a celebrated composer-lyricist set to make her Broadway debut as both writer (and star?) of Suffs. The new musical is due to open at the Music Box Theatre in April 2024 after Purlie Victorious’s limited engagement ends in February. 

The world premiere of Suffs at the Public Theater

Categories
Capsule Reviews

Merrily We Roll Along

Photo by Matthew Murphy

A BROADWAY MASTERPIECE REIMAGINED! Brace yourselves, theater lovers, because the revival of ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ now running at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre is an absolute triumph! With Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez leading the charge, this production breathes new life into a timeless classic that has long been awaiting a production worthy of its material. Viewers of original 1981 Merrily cast member Lonny Price’s celebrated documentary “Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened,” recounting how the original Broadway production flopped, might not have expected how director Maria Friedman’s new take on the musical would ‘get’ what Merrily is, and allow it to soar. But those lucky enough to grab a ticket should get ready for an unforgettable journey through friendship, ambition, and the passage of time (in reverse chronological order, of course).

Jonathan Groff’s portrayal of Frank Shepard brings unparalleled depth to this complex character, making us feel every twist and turn as his own actions perpetrate an unfortunate end to his relationships, platonic and romantic alike. Daniel Radcliffe, as Charley Kringas, is equally impressive. His transformation from a wide-eyed dreamer to a man grappling with success and the decay of his oldest friendship is a testament to his versatility as an actor, as well as his charismatic presence and impeccable comedic timing. Lindsay Mendez as Charley and Frank’s lifelong friend, sardonic writer Mary Flynn, gets to show off her extraordinary vocal range, and strikes a perfect balance between wit and vulnerability.

Krystal Joy Brown shines as the glamorous and ambitious actress Gussie Carnegie, showcasing her extraordinary range and commanding stage presence. Even amidst the high wattage of Radcliffe/Groff/Mendez, Brown manages to stop the show at the top of Act Two with “Gussie’s Opening Number.” 

Stephen Sondheim’s haunting melodies and poignant lyrics, and Jonathan Tunick’s brilliant orchestrations, sweep the audience into a sea of emotions. The plot finally feels deserving of his work, now earning the emotional depth the score affords it. This production is a celebration of friendship, dreams, and the enduring power of Sondheim’s music.