As a culture vulture, I always have my finger on the pulse of Broadway. I recently wrote about seeing Hamilton on Expedia. It was one of the best plays I’ve seen on Broadway in a long, long time. Here are 5 other Broadway shows to see on your next NYC visit:
FUN HOME, a Broadway play based on a book by Alison Bechdel (yes, of the famous Bechdel Test), and directed by the wonderful Sam Gold, is pure magic. Based on the best-selling graphic memoir, “Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic,” by lesbian writer/cartoonist Alison Bechdel about her dysfunctional family and childhood in rural Pennsylvania, it’s also about the power of memory and how our childhoods shape our entire lives. Lisa Kron’s adaptation, Jeanine Tesori’s score and the stupendous cast of actors makes FUN HOME a memorable one.
It Shoulda Been You is a wedding inspired musical about a wedding that doesn’t go fully according to plan. The bride and groom have a different vision than their parents, relatives and wedding party and it just about all goes to pot until true love steps in to save the day. The show is directed by David Hyde Pierce and features a great cast including the legendary Tyne Daly. It will have you in stitches – just go after you’ve had a few drinks and with good friends.
Finding Neverland is based in the London of 1904. Though it feels surprisingly modern, it is a refreshing reminder to step back, step away from the seriousness that surrounds us and join a band of pirates, chase a fairy, or just let our imaginations soar. The show centers around the Author behind the tale of the boy who never wanted to grow up, Peter Pan. J.M. Barrie finds himself a celebrated playwright in London with all the trappings, yet none of the joy. Matthew Morrison’s, (J.M Barrie) mere entrance on stage in the opening scene is enough to cause more than half the audience to applaud wildly. Fortunately, he deserves it. Kelsy Grammer is terrific as the Producer and even more so as Captain Hook (was he channeling Captain Jack?). Bring on the Fairy dust.
Lincoln Center Theater has done it again with their revival of the Rogers and Hammerstein musical classic, The King and I. This production, with its spectacular set and lavish costumes, immediately transports the audience to 19th century Siam. Under the direction of Bartlett Sher, the familiar story seems fresh and exciting. And then there’s the cast. Broadway veteran Kelli O’Hara and movie star Ken Watanabe are perfectly cast as Anna and the King. It’s a joy to watch them act and sing their hearts out on the stage.This is definitely a show that leaves the audience whistling a happy tune.
Broadway’s recent adaptation of the famous story of Gigi features fancy sets, costumes, musical numbers, wonderful dancing and a well-chosen cast that brings the show to 2015 with a splash. Written famously by Colette, Gigi is the story of a young ingénue, played by Vanessa Hudgens, fresh off the tween/teenage screens of High School Musical. who lives under the strict guard of her strict grandmother, Mamita, and her great-aunt, Alicia, retired courtesans who are potential wealth in the form of a wealthy libertine, Garson Lachaille. They fall in love…and the rest of the story is a fairytale, but there is nothing wrong with that. The result is a big Broadway musical that pulls out all the stops to enchant audience members.
Disclosure:Disclosure: I partnered with Expedia’s TRIP as a contributor, but all opinions are my own.
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I miss living in NYC and having access to Broadway. I can’t wait to be there in August for almost 2 weeks and plan to see a show every night! I definitely want to see Fun Home (it’s been on my list) and I saw It Shoulda Been You a few months ago (it was ok, not great) . I hadn’t considered Finding Neverland but will now. King and I and Gigi…as much as I love a good musical, I think there are so many other shows I haven’t seen that I have to put these at the bottom of the list for now. Thanks for sharing via #mlblvd.
I’m a big fan of Broadway productions — it’s probably spoiled me for local theater! Thanks for the great recap of what to see on my next trip.
Kimberly
http://FiftyJewels.com
I’ve always wanted to see a Broadway play! Now I know which ones to go to!
Thanks for the tip! It’s been awhile but I always love when I can work in a good show. Last one we saw was Rocky! I don’t think it’s out there anymore. My kids liked it. 🙂
I’d love to see a show on Broadway one day. We saw Les Miserables in London the last time we were there. I wasn’t really expecting to like it to be honest but I was blown away with how good it was. Thanks for the tips!