Current Broadway Musicals Fall Winter 2009 2010
What Broadway Musicals Are Playing This Season in New York?
Oct 5, 2009
Fall is the start of a new theatre season in New York, as many long-running Broadway musicals shuffle cast members for the lead-up to the holiday season. Here are some of the most popular musical productions currently running in New York, with news of their current cast members.
Chicago
Originally written by Kander and Ebb in the 1970s and produced with Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera, this dark and cynical musical about murderesses in Chicago of the 1930s was evidently ahead of its time, since it’s had its biggest success in this millennium – especially since the release of the 2002 movie version with Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah.
As of October 5, 2009, Brent Barrett has returned to the cast as lawyer Billy Flynn, a role he will portray until November 29. Other cast members include Bonnie Langford (Roxie Hart), Deidre Goodwin (Velma Kelly), Raymond Bokhour (Amos Hart) and Kecia Lewis-Evans (Matron "Mama" Morton). Chicago plays at the Ambassador Theatre (219 West 49th Street).
Jersey Boys
This multi-Tony-winning musical traces the rise to fame of the real-life ‘50s pop group Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo have staged a slick, fast-paced show that showcases great songs like “Sherry”, “Walk Like a Man” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry”. Most recently, Sebastian Arcelus has replaced Andrew Rannells in the part of Bob Gaudio after a stint in Happiness at Lincoln Center. Jersey Boys runs at the August Wilson Theatre (45 West 52nd Street).
Mamma Mia!
The recent film version of the ABBA-inspired wedding romance has done nothing to hurt the popularity of this longstanding favourite. As of September 22, Mamma Mia! sees big cast changes. Tony Award winner Beth Leavel of The Drowsy Chaperone succeeds Carolee Carmello in the role of Donna Sheridan, and Tony nominee John Dossett of Gypsy takes on the role of Sam Carmichael.
Also joining the cast as of that date: Allison Briner as Rosie, Halle Morse as Lisa, Michael Mindlin as Pepper, Patrick Boll as Bill Austin, Alyse Alan Louis as Sophie, David Andrew Macdonald as Harry Bright and Eric William Morris as Sky. Judy McLane continues as Tanya. Mamma Mia! Plays at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway).
Rock of Ages
Hair metal bands of the ‘80s are the inspiration for Rock of Ages. As of September 18, Kerry Butler, who was nominated for a Tony for Xanadu, has started a six-month engagement to perform six shows per week as Sherrie, the part previously played by Savannah Wise. Tom Lenk (Andrew from television’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer), makes his Broadway debut as Franz, the part previously portrayed by Wesley Taylor. Lenk has also signed on for six months. Rock of Ages is installed at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street)
Billy Elliot the Musical
Ten-time Tony winner Billy Elliott by Elton John and Lee Hall, with choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, is a the story of a little working-class British boy with improbable dreams of dancing. Since October 3, Alex Ko has taken over for Kiril Kulish, as one of three young Billy Elliots who share the role. As of October 6, Toronto actor Kate Hennig fills the spot of dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson, previously filled by Haydn Gwynne. Billy Elliot the Musical plays at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street).
At the time of writing, all these productions are currently open for an indefinite run, with no closing date yet announced, and it is possible to buy Broadway tickets online via the official New York travel information site Nycgo.com. Read on to find out about five more current Broadway musicals, all based on fantasy themes, or about Broadway musicals in Chicago or Toronto.
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