The Broadway Collection News for August
August is the last and most bittersweet month of summer in New York City. Make the most of it with the countless events available to locals and visitors to the Big Apple.
There are countless entertainment possibilities in August such as the FringeNYC arts festival, which will celebrate its 18th Anniversary August 8th – 24th. If you prefer music to film and theater, catch the last of the live summer music performances in and around Manhattan. Follow this link for a complete August listing, courtesy of Time Out NY.
For a variety of summer dining options, get outside to the various NYC parks and beaches throughout the boroughs. What is better than sampling an eclectic mix of cuisines while soaking up the final rays of warm summer sunshine? If you are staying inside the borough of Manhattan, check out the Summer Streets events on Saturdays August 2nd, 9th, & 16th. Seven miles along Park Avenue and Lafayette Street are traffic free from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm and filled with free activities like mini golf, zip-lining, art installations, yoga lessons, trumpet playing, dog parks and more!
If you’re looking for cultural events on your trip to NYC, visit Flushing Meadows Park Saturday August 9th and Sunday August 10th for the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. This rain or shine two-day event offers free admission, an exciting view of 120 dragon boat teams on Meadow Lake, and a wide array of international music, martial arts, crafts, dance and cuisine. To finish out the month of August, visit Historic Richmond Town at 441 Clarke Avenue in Staten Island NY where the Richmond County Fair will occur. A Staten Island tradition since 1979, the event includes circus performers, a petting zoo, cartoon characters, live music, rides, food and even a pie eating contest!
In Broadway News:
Acclaimed British actor Earl Carpenter will join Cameron Mackintosh’s smash hit new production of Claude-Michel Schönberg & Alain Boublil’s Les Miserables in the role of Javert for a limited engagement August 12th – October 3rd, 2014. Carpenter recently performed as Javert opposite Tony Award nominee Ramin Karimloo as Valjean.
Sadly, the Broadway productions of Rocky, Newsies, and Bullets Over Broadway will all close in August. Rocky will close August 17th after a run of 28 previews and 188 performances. Newsies and Bullets Over Broadway are both set to close August 24th. Newsies enjoyed a much longer run than the originally intended 12-week limited Broadway engagement when it opened in 2012. Come see these great shows on Broadway while you still can!
We have some new additions to The Broadway Collection! The 2014 Tony Award winner for Best New Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder has joined the Broadway Collection in addition to Sting’s The Last Ship and On the Town, both of which open for previews on Broadway in September. Also joining the collection is On the Twentieth Century which will star Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher; previews begin February 12, 2015 prior to a March 12 opening night. Finally, the Spring 2015 revival of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s musical The King and I has joined the Broadway Collection and will play at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder tells the story of Monty Navarro, who discovers he is both part of a noble family and in line to become the next Earl of Highurst. The only complication, there are eight other predecessors whom Navarro eliminates in creative and side-splitting ways as the musical unfolds.
The Last Ship was inspired by Sting’s childhood experiences, and is set in the English seafaring town of Wallsend. In this close-knit community, life revolves around the local shipyard, but main character Gideon Fletcher breaks the mold and sets out to travel the world. Upon his return 14 years later, he finds the shipyard’s future in grave danger and his childhood sweetheart engaged to someone else. The Last Ship will open for previews on September 29th, with an official opening date of October 26th, 2014.
On the Town, one of America’s classic musical comedies, is back on Broadway! This fantastic revival tells the story of three sailors on 24-hour shore leave in New York City. While “on the town” they make the most of their time, absorbing all the city has to offer while taking a chance at love with their dream girls. On the Town will open for previews on September 20th, with an official opening date on October 16th, 2014.
On The Twentieth Century tells the story of Oscar Jaffee, a bankrupt theater producer travelling aboard a luxury train (the Twentieth Century) with his former flame and Hollywood starlet, Lily Garland. As the madcap musical comedy unfolds, he must reignite their love, collaborate on an entirely new musical with her and convince her to return to Broadway as the star. He only has from Chicago to New York City to succeed in swaying her in this Roundabout Theater Company-produced revival (they also produce the current revival of Cabaret).
The King and I is set in 1860’s Bangkok, and tells the story of a British schoolteacher and tutor to the many wives and children of the King of Siam. As the musical unfolds, the two develop an unconventional and tempestuous relationship. This new production will star Ken Watanabe and Kelli O’Hara. Watanabe is known for starring in The Last Samurai opposite Tom Cruise, as well as many Japanese stage productions. Hailing from Japan, his performance as the King of Siam will mark his Broadway debut. O’Hara previously starred in both the 2008, Tony-Award winning Broadway revival of South Pacific and a previous Broadway Collection member, The Bridges of Madison County.
Extensions announced through Broadway Inbound include:
On The Town– extended early bird special through September 1st
& added student rate in the Balcony
Jersey Boys– extended Group Sales through September 6th, 2014
Aladdin and The Lion King– extended Group Sales through March 15th, 2015
Blue Man Group– extended Group Sales through January 4th, 2015
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder– re-vamped Group rates
If you’re planning on visiting NYC this August, take advantage of the various culinary, cultural, and entertainment events going on in the area, and don’t forget to book your tickets to one of the many Broadway Collection shows through Broadway Inbound!