Playbill recently shared a list of shows that are coming to the Great White Way sometime soon, and there were quite a few that intrigued me. So I am sharing the upcoming theatre that I’m looking forward to.
The Mousetrap
The longest-running play in the world is coming to New York and after having seen it on the West End, I am interested to see what Broadway plans to do with the iconic Christie mystery.
Here Lies Love
Here Lies Love is a disco-inspired musical based on a concept album about former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos. Sounds kind of wild, doesn’t it? I feel like this show could go one of two ways: be absolutely brilliant or a complete trainwreck. So I’m keeping an eye on it to see how it develops.
Ain’t Supposed to Die a Natural Death
There are a few things that attracted me to this musical, starting with the brief about that Playbill provided. I then decided to look a little bit more into this show, which just added to my interest. Utilizing funk, soul, and jazz music, the musical is a series of 19 politically outspoken, darkly comic, and sexually charged musical monologues that explore the negative aspects of African-American street life and the ghetto experience. It was actually first produced at my alma mater, Sacramento State.
Coco
The Pixar film about Dias de los Muertos is in the works to being a stage show, and of all Disney IP that could have this I am pleasantly surprised that they chose Coco to be their next show. It will be the first Pixar film to go to Broadway, and with how vibrant and cultural the film is, it is sure to be a visually impressive experience.
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The Devil Wears Prada
This show based on the novel and film of the same name has already debuted in Chicago, but has always had its sights set on Broadway. The Devil Wears Prada is honestly one of my favorite films, so I’ve been cautiously watching the development of this show for a while.
Dreamgirls
A long awaited revival of the Tony-winning musical about the show business behind the aspirations and successes of R&B acts is said to be in development for a New York transfer after a hit run in London. Dreamgirls is one of my brother and I’s bucket list shows, so hopefully it does take a Broadway stage again and maybe go on tour too.
Gatsby
The Great Gatsby is the inspiration behind not one but two different musicals currently in development. I’m keeping an eye on both, but one of them in particular has my attention. Titled simply as “Gatsby”, this show has a creative team featuring some stellar artists. The music and lyrics are being done by Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine Fame and the director is Rachel Chavkin who is the Tony-winning mind behind my favorite musical ever Hadestown. The styles of these two artists has me excited for what they will create for the classic story of the 1920’s.
Marie, Dancing Still
Edgar Degas is a renowned painter who often depicted ballet dancers in his, and a particular sculpture he did of a fourteen-year-old dance at the Paris Opera Ballet has become the subject of this new musical. Marie van Goethem is the subject of the sculpture, and the musical follows her and the aftermath of the fame she gained from posing for the artist. The musical made its world premiere back in 2014 and has been undergoing more development, including numerous title changes, since then. As a former ballet dancer myself, I’m very intrigued with this show.
The Queen of Versailles
I have to admit that my interest in this musical is largely because Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) is behind the music and lyrics, Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown ) is set to star, and Michael Arden (Once on This Island revival and Deaf West Theatre’s Spring Awakening revival) is the director. The show is based on a documentary with the same name that followed Jackie Siegel and her family as they build their private residence – Versailles, one of the largest and most expensive single-family houses in the United States – and the crisis they face as the US economy declines. I can’t say the subject matter really interested me, but the big names have caught my eye.
Untitled Giulia Tofana Musical
Country artist Jennifer Nettles, who has Broadway credits as Roxie Hart in Chicago and Jenna in Waitress, is penning the music for this musical about the infamous 17th-century professional poisoner. Allegedly, Giulia Tofana set up a poisoning ring in 1600’s Italy that sold poison to women who wanted to escape abusive or inconvenient spouses under the guise of it being cosmetics. I’ve heard about Tofana thanks to Bailey Sarian’s murder mystery series so seeing a musical about her as well was honestly surprising. There is nothing set in stone for this beyond a handful of songs written during the pandemic, but I do hope something comes from this idea because it is intriguing.
New theatre is being developed every day, and it is exciting to see what inspires creatives to bring new stories to the stage, Broadway or not.
