Download JH WEEKLIES ISSUE #10

JH WEEKLIES ISSUE #10
2012-2013
BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS
The following eight musicals are all currently running on Broadway. Some have been performed
for many years, while others are new to the circuit. All have garnered well-deserved praise for
both musical brilliance and stage performance. Curtain Up.
Chicago
Debuted- 1975, 46th Street Theatre (Richard Rodgers Theatre)
Revived- 1996, Shubert Theatre and Ambassador Theatre (currently)
Tonys- 11 1975 Tony nominations, (no wins)
Six 1997 Tonys:
(including)
Best Revival
Best Performance by a Leading Actor- James Naughton
Best Performance by a Leading Actress- Bebe Neuwirth
Best Direction- Walter Bobbie
Best Choreography- Ann Reinking
The Windy City buzzes in this Prohibition-era production that glamorizes crime and
deception and argues that the thrill of having your name in lights is more important than having a
clear conscience. Legendary dancer Bob Fosse choreographed the original stage show that saw
flappers and stage girls naughtily making their way to the top. Good girl Roxie Hart soon
catches the bad girl bug and will stop at nothing, not even murder, to reach the summit of show
business.
The music satirizes the corruption of criminal law and the glitz of being a household
name. Highlights include the unstoppable opener “All That Jazz,” the hearty “When You’re
Good to Mama,” and the sultry “Cell Block Tango.”
Since its revival in 1996, the show has run for nearly 7,000 performances, making it the
longest running revival in Broadway history, the fourth longest Broadway show, and the longest
American Broadway show. Chicago has also run for 15 years in London’s West End, the
longest-running American musical in West End history. It was adapted into a hit 2002 film
starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere.
Evita
Debuted- opened off Broadway
Premiered- 1979, Broadway Theatre
Currently- 2012, Marquis Theatre
Tonys- Seven 1980 Tonys:
(including)
Best Musical
Best Original Score
Best Book
Best Performance by a Leading Actress- Patti LuPone
Best Performance by a Featured Actor- Mandy Patinkin
Best Direction- Harold Prince
Originally developed as a rock opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice developed
this musical to highlight the life and accomplishments of the second wife of Argentinean
President Juan Peron. Eva, known by the nickname Evita, creates an image all her own in
Buenos Aires, initially desiring to become famous through dance and film. She eventually sees
that her true calling is to serve the people of Argentina and is celebrated through this endeavor
more than she ever dreamed possible. The tragedy of her death shakes her country but elevates
her to a saint-like level attained by few.
Lloyd Webber created music based on traditional Latin culture and featured a score
consisting of tangoes, paso dobles, and other lively dance numbers. Highlights include the
reflective “Oh What a Circus,” the sorrowful “Another Suitcase in Another Hall,” and the
instantly recognizable “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina.”
The musical has served as a valuable piece of history, celebrating the life of a polarizing
figure who was relatively unknown to American audiences. The show was adapted into a 1996
film that starred Madonna as Eva Peron and Antonio Banderas as her husband, Juan.
The Lion King
Debuted- 1997, New Amsterdam Theater
Currently- 2006, Minskoff Theatre
Tonys- Six 1998 Tonys:
(including)
Best Musical
Best Direction- Julie Taymor
Best Choreography- Garth Fagan
Adapted from the wildly successful 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, The
Lion King features cast members in both animal costumes and hollowed out puppets. The plot of
the stage production mirrors that of the motion picture, with the young Simba forced to reclaim
the throne of the Pridelands that was taken by his evil uncle Scar.
The music for the show was created by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice, the same duo
that composed the original music for the Disney film. Highlights include the seat-shaking
opener “Circle of Life,” the playful “Hakuna Matata,” and the hilariously romantic “Can You
Feel the Love Tonight.”
The show has experienced great success during its 15-year run. With over 5,000
performances, The Lion King is now Broadway’s fifth longest-running show in history; and at
over $850 million dollars in ticket sales, it is Broadway’s highest-grossing show of all time.
Mamma Mia!
Debuted- opened off Broadway
Currently 2001, Winter Garden Theatre
Tonys-Five 2002 Tony nominations, (no wins)
In 1975, the band ABBA topped the charts with their hit “Mamma Mia.” Taking the
name from this song, playwright Catherine Johnson composed an entirely original production
using the songs recorded by ABBA, with an arch taking shape based on the song’s lyrics. The
show features Sophie, an idealistic 20-year old who is engaged to be wed. For her wedding, she
wishes to be walked down the aisle by her father, a man she has never met. Sophie is taken on a
whirlwind journey as she discovers her true father and herself in turn.
ABBA members Bjorn Ulaveus and Benny Andersson were involved in the production
from the show’s inception and helped to mold the music and the plot together. Highlights
include the locomotive “Take a Chance on Me,” the eye-opening “Honey, Honey,” and the finale
encore “Dancing Queen.”
Since its debut in 1999, over 42 million patrons have seen over 4,000 performances,
making Mamma Mia! Broadway’s tenth-longest running show of all time. The show was
adapted into a 2008 film starring Amanda Seyfried as Sophie and Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth,
and Stellan Skarsgard as Sophie’s potential fathers.
Wicked
Debuted- 2003, Gershwin Theatre
Tonys-Three 2004 Tonys:
(including)
Best Actress- Idina Menzel
Author Gregory Maguire imagined the World of Oz prior to the disruption created when
Dorothy Gale’s house came crashing down. His vision came to life in the 1995 novel Wicked:
The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The novel was based on the 1939 film The
Wizard of Oz which was taken from the classic story written by L. Frank Baum. The musical
tells the tale of Elphaba, our future Wicked Witch, and her journey through life as an outcast,
lover, and friend. Ultimately, the world around her believes her to be wicked, and she must
choose a path to follow: good or wicked.
Composer Stephen Schwartz created a sweeping score full of catchy musical numbers
and grandiose finales. Highlights include the bubbly solo “Popular,” the heartbreaking duet “For
Good,” and the exceptional closing number “Defying Gravity.”
Despite debuting in 2003, Wicked has already become Broadway’s 12th-longest running
production. It also holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing single-week earner, setting
the record multiple times, including most recently in January of 2012 with nearly $3 million in
sales for the first week of the year.
Jersey Boys
Debuted- 2005, August Wilson Theatre
Tonys-Four 2005 Tonys:
(including)
Best Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actor- John Lloyd Young
Best Performance by a Featured Actor- Christian Hoff
The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is told in this honest and gritty musical
that features some of the most toe-tapping hits ever featured on stage. Frankie and his group
were one of the most compelling groups of the 1960s, outshone only by their tumultuous story.
Told in documentary style, the show follows the origins of the group, their rise to stardom, and
their fateful end, all with the soaring falsetto of Frankie overhead.
Officially listed as a jukebox musical, the music was written by Four Seasons member
Bob Gaudio, with many selections retooled from their chart-topping hits. Highlights include the
snappy “Short Shorts,” the sing-along “Walk Like a Man,” and the smash hit “Can’t Take My
Eyes Off You.”
Critics have claimed the show mesmerizes the audience, convincing them that Frankie
Valli may actually be performing on the feature stage. Across the world, reports even indicate
audience participation is encouraged on some of the more notable hits. The show is slated to be
adapted into a major motion picture, with casting that began in August of 2012.
Mary Poppins
Debuted- opened off Broadway
Currently- 2006, premiering New Amsterdam Theatre
Tonys- One 2007 Tony:
(including)
Best Scenic Design
P.L. Travers created the iconic English nanny Mary in 1934, and continued to write of
her exploits in a series of children’s books. Mary then appeared alongside Dick Van Dyke’s Bert
in Disney’s 1964 musical film, a film that earned Julie Andrews the Oscar for Best Actress.
Acclaimed writer Julian Fellowes helped to adapt the music written for the film by the Sherman
Brothers to incorporate the original tale into a stage show. The resulting production is a fusion
of stories from Travers’ books and scenes from the film in which Mary comes to care for the
Banks children.
The Shermans composed the music for the film and earned Academy Awards for
Original Music Score and Best Song. Highlights from the musical include the Oscar winning
“Chim Chim Cher-ee,” the sweeping “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and the cheerful “A Spoonful of
Sugar.”
The show differs from the film in the removal of certain scenes and songs and
augmentations in the placement of certain plot points and songs to adjust for time. In 2011, the
show became Broadway’s 30th-longest running show.
The Book of Mormon
Debuted- Eugene O’Neill Theatre in 2011
Tonys- Nine 2011 Tonys:
(including)
Best Musical
Best Book
Best Original Score
Best Performance by a Featured Actress- Nikki M. James
Best Direction- Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone began developing this religious satire in
2004 in much the same way that is displayed by their Comedy Central show. The production is
based on the creator’s upbringing in Colorado and their close connection to Mormonism. In the
show, young Elder Kevin Price is a Mormon missionary sent to Uganda. Accompanying him is
Elder Arnold Cunningham, and the two struggle to share their teachings to a war torn group of
locals who are more interested in their immediate survival than in religious conversion.
Ironically, Cunningham is shown to have never actually read the Book of Mormon.
Parker and Stone collaborated with Avenue Q co-composer Robert Lopez to create this
romp that pokes holes in both religion and musical theater. Highlights include the hilarious
“You and Me (But Mostly Me),” the clever and confusing “Sal Tlay Ka Siti,” and the sobering
“Tomorrow Is a Latter Day.”
The show debuted to unanimous praise in both theater circles and other entertainment
avenues. The show won the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the
original Broadway cast recording became the highest-charting Broadway album in over 40 years.