The High Broadway Exhibits to See This Spring, Based on a Theater Skilled

The massive information on Broadway this spring is George Clooney. The mega star makes his Broadway debut in  “Good Night time, and Good Luck,” a reboot of his 2005 movie. In becoming old-school fashion, Clooney held a press convention previous to the beginning of previews, throughout which he admitted to feeling “abject terror.” 

One factor he gained’t be is alone. Historically, March and April have a number of openings, as exhibits attempt to squeeze in earlier than the cutoff for Tony nominations on the finish of April. Becoming a member of Clooney on different phases can be Broadway royalty like Bernadette Peters in a tribute to Stephen Sondheim and TV stars like David Hyde Pierce in an up to date “Pirates of Penzance.”  These are the exhibits I’m most enthusiastic about.

“Boop! The Betty Boop Musical”

Broadhurst Theatre,  235 W. forty fourth St.; boopthemusical.com

The beloved cartoon character involves Broadway after a Chicago tryout that one reviewer described as a mixture of “Enchanted,” “Completely Fashionable Millie” and “Barbie.” There’s a while journey, a good-looking main man, and a frazzled aunt (performed by stage veteran Religion Prince), however principally the present rests on the efficiency of Broadway newcomer Jasmine Amy Rogers, whose Betty needs nothing greater than a day without work from her superstar life.

“Smash”

Imperial Theatre, 249 W. forty fifth St.; smashbroadway.com

The hit NBC collection from 2012 involves the stage with most of the identical songs from the present, together with a number of new ones. However the premise appears acquainted—a bunch of theater bigwigs making a present about Marilyn Monroe known as “Bombshell.”  The TV present’s Megan Hilty could be discovered a block away in “Demise Turns into Her,” so the function of Ivy (Marilyn in “Bombshell”)  can be performed by Robyn Hurder (“Moulin Rouge!”).

“Good Night time, and Good Luck”

Winter Backyard Theatre, 1634 Broadway; goodnightgoodluckbroadway.com

Legendary CBS broadcaster Edward R. Murrow virtually at all times ended his broadcasts the identical manner: “Good night time, and good luck.” George Clooney borrowed these phrases to title his 2005 movie about Murrow and his battle with Senator Joseph McCarthy, and now—in one of the vital anticipated exhibits of the spring season—he’ll make his Broadway debut bringing the story to the stage.

“Sondheim’s Outdated Mates”

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. forty seventh St.; manhattantheatreclub.com

This present began out as a one-night gala in London, however with its star-studded credentials each on an off stage, a for much longer life was clearly within the playing cards. Devised by Cameron Waterproof coat and starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, “Outdated Mates” is a glittering tribute to Sondheim. The revue options lots of his best hits, together with “Youngsters Will Pay attention” from “Into the Woods” and “Ship within the Clowns” from “A Little Night time Music.”

“Floyd Collins”

Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. sixty fifth St.; lct.org

Contemporary from “The Nice Gatsby,” Jeremy Jordan returns in a gripping musical a couple of man trapped in a cave. The Lincoln Heart manufacturing is predicated on a real story.  Collins was an explorer who hoped to show Sand Collapse Kentucky right into a vacationer attraction, till he someway managed to get caught 200 ft underground.  The story turned one thing of a nationwide obsession—and a media circus.

“Simply in Time”

Circle within the Sq. Theatre, 235 W. fiftieth St.; justintimebroadway.com

Following his finest actor in a musical Tony from final yr,  Jonathan Groff (“Merrily We Roll Alongside”) turns his consideration to  Bobby Darin. He performs the singer/songwriter  on this new musical, which options hits like “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and “Past the Sea.”  Producers promise to show the theater into an immersive nightclub with a stay onstage huge band.

“Stranger Issues: The First Shadow”

Marquis Theatre, 210 W. forty sixth St.; strangerthingsbroadway.com

Followers of the Netflix horror collection gained’t wish to miss the theatrical prequel to the present. The manufacturing ran in London in 2023, with many reviewers speaking in regards to the over-the-top particular results (smoke, numerous smoke). However for these hooked on the TV collection, it’s all in regards to the backstory of Henry Creel, the sociopath on the coronary heart of season 4. Excellent news: The present works as pure spectacle, even for those who’ve not seen a single episode on TV.

“Actual Girls Have Curves: The Musical”

James Earl Jones Theatre, 138 W. forty eighth St.; realwomenhavecurvesbroadway.com

The 1993 play and the 2002 movie starring America Ferrera come to the stage in a brand new musical with the same message. A celebration of girls’s our bodies—and all of the sizes and shapes they arrive in—the story can also be in regards to the curves that life throws our manner and the way we take care of them. Nonetheless, the empowering scene the place ladies working in a brutally sizzling Los Angeles manufacturing unit strip all the way down to their underwear sounds prefer it’s well worth the worth of admission.

“Pirates! The Penzance Musical”

Todd Haimes Theatre, 227 W. forty second St.; roundaboutheatre.org

David Hyde Pierce takes on the enduring, tongue-twisting Main Fashionable Normal on this reimagining of the famed Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. Image the pirate ship docking in New Orleans, permitting for a jazzy Caribbean-infused rating and plenty of French Quarter aptitude.

“Lifeless Outlaw”

Longacre Theatre, 220 W. forty eighth St.; deadoutlawmusical.com

In yet one more true story, we meet Elmer McCurdy (performed by Andrew Durand, latest Drama Desk finest actor nominee for “Shucked”). He’s described as “an outlaw, turned corpse, turned superstar.”  Appears that in demise, Mr. McCurdy had far more adventures than he ever did in life. Final yr’s  off-Broadway manufacturing made a number of “finest theater” lists, together with The New York Instances and New York Journal.