2023-24 Broadway Season Preview - Part Three

First up is The Notebook. Based on Nicholas Spark’s 1996 best-selling novel, the musical features a new book by Bekah Brunstetter (This Is Us), and music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson (Lights Out, Stranger Songs), with direction by Michael Greif and Schele Williams. The show, which had its world premiere last Fall at the Chicago Shakespeare Festival, is set to begin previews at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on February 10, with opening night scheduled for March 14. Now for those of you who have never read the book or seen the 2004 film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, I have included a synopsis of the musical to give you a better idea of this tender and powerful love story, courtesy of the show’s official press release. “Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart, in a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.” Well, I’m sold. As of now, no official casting has been announced. However, if I were a betting man, I would reckon to guess that the show will be headlined once again by Jordan Tyson (Young Allie), Joy Woods (Middle Allie), Tony Award winner Maryann Plunkett as Older Allie, John Cardoza as Young Noah, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, and John Beasley as Older Noah, all of whom received rave reviews during the show’s Chicago engagement. We will soon find out.  

Next up? Water for Elephants. However, unlike The Notebook, I have no previous knowledge of the story or its journey from the page to the stage, or the phenomenally successful film version that opened in 2011. What I do know however, is that this new musical features a book by Tony Award nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter and the Starcatcher), music and lyrics by the PigPen Theatre Co., and direction by Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo). Oh, and most importantly, the show is set to begin previews at the Imperial Theatre on February 24, with opening night scheduled for March 21. For those of you, who like me, who know absolutely nothing about this critically acclaimed and award-winning tale, I have included a detailed synopsis of the show to give you a much clearer idea as to what it is all about from the show’s website. "After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life-and love-beyond his wildest dreams.” Now while I may not have known anything about the show prior to now, I will say that this brief description made me more than a little intrigued. Not to mention I am even more interested in reading Sara Gruen’s 2006 critically acclaimed novel that is the basis for this eagerly anticipated new musical. As of now no official casting has been announced. Stay tuned to this blog site for further updates in the coming weeks.  

Next up is My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) Now that is a title you will not soon forget. The critically acclaimed play which comes to Broadway by way of the West End is a brand-new autobiographical solo show written by and starring Rob Madge that received a 2023 Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play. So, what is it all about you ask? Well, according to the author/performer, My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) tells the story of when Rob was twelve, they attempted a full-blown Disney parade in their house for Grandma. As Rob donned wigs and played Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their dad doubled as Stage Manager, Sound Technician, and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues and pushed all the floats in the wrong direction. Mom mistook Aladdin for Ursula. The costumes went awry. Grandma had a nice time though.” Previews for the sixteen-week engagement are set to begin at the Lyceum Theatre on February 27, with opening night scheduled for March 12. Look out Broadway cause here comes Madge! 

Last but certainly not least is The Outsiders. Now while I consider myself quite the film buff, particularly those films from the 19080’s that deal with teen angst and turmoil, I have never, I repeat, never seen the 1983 film The Outsiders, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Nor have I read the 1967 S.E. Hinton novel on which the film is based. I am however a fan of the show's book writer Tony Award nominee Adam Rapp whom I worked with almost twenty years ago as an intern on his film directorial debut. The show, which also features music and lyrics by folk rock band Jamestown Revival and direction by Dananya Taymor is scheduled to begin previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on March 16, with opening night scheduled for April 11. So, what is the show all about?

Well, according to the musical’s official press release, The Outsiders tells the story of “Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade and their fellow greasers as they navigate the turbulence of adolescence and their confidence with the “Socs” - short for “Socials, "their upper-class rivals –in 1960’s Tulsa.” Another interesting note about this Broadway bound show is that during its critically acclaimed run at La Jolla Playhouse earlier this year, the show was attended by none other than Academy Award winner Angelie Jolie who signed on as a producer shortly after seeing the production. Now that is what I call one high profile seal of approval. As of now, there is no casting information, or on sale date has been announced. Be sure to check back here in the coming weeks for further updates.