Fall Broadway Preview Part IV

That’s right theatre fans. It is time for Part IV of my “Fall Broadway Preview” where I will discuss three more upcoming productions set to open before the end of the year. So, let’s get to it.

First up, and one that I will admit when first announced I wasn’t quite sure what to feel about. Then a couple of weeks ago I happened to be channel surfing and came upon the show’s commercial. Suffice to say I was suddenly a lot more intrigued than before. Now I know what you are all thinking. What is this mysterious show that is now suddenly on my radar? Well, I’ll tell you.

It is none other than & Juliet. And no, that is not a typo. It’s the actual name of the show, and even better, it’s a brand-new musical featuring some of the biggest pop tunes of the past thirty years. Not to mention, a book by Emmy winner David West Read, who just happened to win his award for writing a little show by the name of Schitt’s Creek, only one of the greatest television comedies of all-time. Previews for the show are set to begin at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on October 28, with opening night scheduled for November 17. Boy, if I wasn’t excited before, I sure am now.

Let me just start off by saying that I consider the 1959 film Some Like It Hot to be one of the greatest comedies of all time. Right up there with The Producers, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Both of which were turned into beloved musicals that won a slew of Tony Awards including Best Musical of the Year and enjoyed years of success both on Broadway and London's West End. Now for those theatre buffs like me, you might recall that there has already been a Broadway musical based on the Billy Wilder masterpiece. It was called Sugar, and it opened on Broadway in 1972 where it ran for over five hundred performances and was nominated for Best Musical of the Year.

A moderate success you might say. Somehow though I have a feeling this one might just fair a little better. Why you ask? Well, for starters, it features music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman whose show Hairspray won eight 2003 Tony Awards and ran for over seven years. The show also features a new book by last year’s Tony Award winner Matthew Lopez (The Inheritance) and critically acclaimed television talk show host and author Amber Ruffin. And last, but certainly not least, it is being directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). Previews are set to begin at the historic Shubert Theatre on November 1, with opening scheduled for December 11. Something tells me that this is going to do very well come Tony nomination time. We shall see.

Full disclosure. I am a HUGE Neil Diamond fan. Which as why you can guess that I am counting down the days until A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical opens on Broadway. Having said all that, I was still a little skeptical at first. I mean for every Jersey Boys, Beautiful, or Ain’t Too Proud, there is a Lennon, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, or Ring of Fire. Thankfully, my apprehension dwindled right away after hearing that Tony Award nominee Will Swenson (Hair, Rock of Ages) and fellow Tony Award nominee Mark Jacoby (Ragtime, Showboat) would be playing Neil during various stages of his life and career. Not to mention the show is being directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, Hedwig and the Angry Inch). 

Oh, and did I mention it got amazing reviews and played to packed house during its recent summer engagement at the Colonial Theatre in Boston? Well, it did. Previews are set to begin at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 2, with opening night scheduled for December 2. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait.

So, there you have it theatre fans. Three exciting new shows for you to check out this Fall. Look out for more of my show previews in the coming days. Oh, and of course don’t forget, we sell them all, along with every other play and musical both On and Off-Broadway. Which one will you see? Until next time theatre fans.

JWB