Spring Broadway Season Part Three
That’s right theatre fans. It’s time for the final part in my three-part series on the Broadway Spring season. So, let’s get to it.
First up? Room. Based on the 2010 best selling novel by Emma Donoghue, Room is set to begin previews at the recently renovated James Earl Jones Theatre on April 3, with opening night scheduled for April 17. The new play with music features a script by Donoghue, and music and lyrics by Kathryn Joseph and Cora Bissett, the latter of which who also serves as the show’s director. Adapted into an award-winning 2015 film starring Brie Larson in her Academy Award winning performance, Room stars Adrienne Warren in her return to the stage since her Tony Award winning triumph in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Starring along side her is Tony nominee’s Ephraim Sykes and Kate Burton, as well as Tina Benko, Michael Genet, Triney Sandoval, Aiden Mekhi Sierra, and Christopher Woodley. The show, which first premiered in London in May 2017, followed by productions in both Dublin, Ireland, and London, Ontario, will play a limited engagement through September 17, 2023.
Next up? The Thanksgiving Play. Now based on the title I’m guessing it’s not a show about the 4th of July or St. Patrick’s Day. What it is, is a brand-new comedy from playwright Larissa Fast Horse, who is making her Broadway debut, and directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown). Previews for The Thanksgiving Play are set to begin at the Hayes Theatre on March 23, with opening night scheduled for April 23. It was also just recently announced that the highly anticipated show will feature a bevy of Broadway and television favorites. Who you ask? Why none other than Tony Award winner Katie Finneran, and some of television’s most recognizable faces of the last several years. Chris Sullivan (This Is Us), Scott Foley (Scandal) and D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place). So, I know what you’re all thinking. What is the show all about? Well, according to the show’s press release, The Thanksgiving Play, “features a troupe of really, really well-meaning theatre artists who attempt to put on a culturally sensitive Thanksgiving school pageant, when things get messy. Hilarious and poignant, this delicious play skewers everything right, wrong, and woke in America.” Now that sounds like my type of play.
Another one of this season’s most highly anticipated new shows is Prima Facie by Australian/British playwright Suzie Miller. The solo show, which first premiered in Sydney, Australia in Spring 2019, will play a limited ten week engagement at the John Golden Theatre beginning on April 11, with opening night scheduled for April 23. So, why all the anticipation you ask? Well, it might have something to do with that fact that the show is starring Emmy Award winner Jodie Comer (Killing Eve). The show, which is being directed by Justin Martin, made its London debut in April 2022, where it opened to rave reviews from both critics and audiences alike during its two month run. So, what is the show all about? Well, according to the show’s press release Prima Facie states, “Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game: defending; cross examining and winning. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge." Expect the show’s star to be a big contender at this years Tony Awards.
Starring Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Sean Hayes (Will and Grace, Promises, Promises) and written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, War Paint) is Good Night, Oscar. The new play, which tells the real-life story of actor, comedian, composer, and radio and talk show host Oscar Levant, is set to begin previews at the Belasco Theatre on April 7, with opening night scheduled for April 24. Prior to its Broadway bow, the show played a critically acclaimed sold out run at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre last year where it received seven Joseph Jefferson nominations including Best Play, Best Principle Leading Actor, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress. Directed by Lisa Peterson. Good Night, Oscar also stars Emily Bergl, Peter Grosz, Ben Rappaport, and John Zdrojeski, and will play a limited twenty week engagement closing on August 23. I smell a hit.
Let me get this straight. A new play by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner David Auburn, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan, and starring Tony Award nominees Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht? Count me in theatre fans. Summer, 1976, which is being produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club, was originally scheduled to play at it’s Off-Broadway venue but will now instead play its main stage at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre with previews beginning on April 4, prior to its April 25 opening. Wise decision I have to say as it is more than worthy of a Broadway run based on the track record of its creative team and its two leading ladies. Set in Ohio during our nation’s Bicentennial, Summer, 1976 tells the story of two sisters who according to the show’s website, “navigate motherhood, ambition, and intimacy, and help each other discover their own independence.” Sounds like a great night in the theatre to me.
Last but certainly not least is a show that to be honest wasn’t on most folks radar at the beginning of the season, myself included. Yet here we are all these months later and New York, New York is about to take Broadway by storm this Spring. At least I think so. Based on Martin Scorsese’s 1977 film, the show will feature all of the film’s signature songs including the title number, all of which were written by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb, and thirteen new songs with music by Kander and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. You might know him from a little show by the name of Hamilton. Set in New York City following World War II, New York, New York, which features direction and choreography by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman and a book by David Thompson and Sharon Washington, is scheduled to begin previews at the St. James Theatre on March 24, with opening night set for April 26. Now I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see this show. Expect it to be a big contender at this year’s Tony Awards.
Well, there you have it. Sixteen exciting plays and musicals all set to open in the next couple months. Which ones will you see? Until next time theatre fans.
