On June 11th the 2007-08 Broadway Season officially began. For those of you not keeping track let me get you up to speed.
Old Acquaintance (June 28) We can always count on the Roundabout Theatre Company to provide theatregoers with a "classic" revival to get us through the hot summer months.
Xanadu (July 10) The show that everybody was expecting to be the "Big Bomb" of the season has turned out to be the unexpected "hit" of the season. This new "cult" hit has been breaking Box Office records at the Helen Hayes Theatre ever since. Which let's be honest isn't too hard considering it only has 500 seats and hasn't had a hit since Romance/Romance in 1988.
Grease (August 19) So is Grease still the word? Well according to every critic from here to the West Coast that would be a big fat NO!!!! But they have a $15 million dollar advance and they ain't going anywhere. Just remember Wicked didn't get very good reviews and it is one of the most successful shows in Broadway history.
Mauritius October 4) To be honest the first time someone called and wanted to buy tickets for this show I thought they were making it up. Evidently it is a new play Theresa Rebeck and directed by Tony Winner Doug Hughes. It stars Bobby Cannavale (Will & Grace) and Tony Nominee Allison Pill.
Pygmalion (October 18) Starring Tony winner's Jefferson Hayes and Boyd Gaines. And making her Broadway debut, Claire Danes. Classic.
A Bronx Tale (October 18) Oscar nominee Chazz Palminteri brings his masterpiece to the stage. Be sure to get your tickets fast as it is a limited engagement.
Cyrano De Bergerac (November 1) Once again a star studded revival with a limited run. Starring Kevin Kline, Jennifer Garner, and Daniel Sunjata this is one of the most highly anticipated shows of the season.
Rock n Roll (November 4) The latest work from one of London's greatest playwrights. This new drama from Tom Stoppard (Last seasons Tony Winner for The Coast of Utopia) just finished a sold out run in London.
Young Frankenstein (November 8) I'll be honest I've never seen the movie. I didn't even see The Producers when it was on Broadway. My feeling was that anything built up that much was not going to be worth all the hype. How could it be? But I think I might give this one a shot. Why you ask? Well I have four words for you. Megan Mullally and Sutton Foster. I first discovered Ms. Mullally back in 1994 in another horrible production of Grease. She was the best thing about it. But I fell in love with her when she played Rosemary opposite John Stamos in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Yes I said John Stamos not Matthew Broderick. People forget that John began his Broadway career with this show. He did not disappoint. Now on to Sutton Foster. How can you not love this girl. I first met Ms. Foster back in 1998 when I was an assistant at a New York Casting office. She always greeted me with a smile and was always the nicest girl in the room. Now while I did not like Thoroughly Modern Millie I adored her. Same thing with The Drowsy Chaperone. Hated the show. Loved her. Who knows I might even buy a ticket for this one.
Dr. Seuss A.K.A The Grinch ( November 9) This was the unexpected hit of last season. I for one didn't expect to like it. But I have to admit that big green freak warmed my heart and even made a big lug like me cry a few tears. I said a few. Looks to be a holiday staple for many many years.
The Farnsworth Invention (November 14) Now this is the one that I am really looking forward to this season. It is a new drama written by Aaron Sorkin. For those few that don't know his work he was the writer and creator of The West Wing and the creator and writer of one of my favorite show of the last 10 years. I am of course talking about the now cancelled and underrated show "Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip" It comes out on DVD October 27th. Well enough of my shameless plugs this new drama is about the advent of television. It stars Tony nominee Hank Azaria and directed by Two-time Tony Winner Des McAnuff. I can't wait.
The Seafarer (November 15) Once again a show I know very little about. According to their press release, The Seafarer is a new show by Conor McPherson about the sea. Ireland, and the power of myth. It stars David Morse. Know idea but I am always up for a new play.
Well that's Part 1 of the Broadway Season. Which will succeed and which will fail? We are about to find out. Stay tuned.
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