Broadway Inbound & The Broadway Collection Introduce New Members
Along with the summer rush of tourists comes a new season of The Broadway Collection; eight forward-thinking productions have joined the tourism-focused marketing and press initiative. A majority of new members have opened or will open by the conclusion of 2016; the remainder will open in 2017.
Waitress is a new American musical currently on Broadway. With Music & Lyrics by five-time Grammy Award nominee Sara Bareilles, it has received critical acclaim as the first Broadway musical in history to feature four women in the essential creative team roles. Caught in a loveless marriage, main character Jenna must find the courage to pursue both her dreams and new love, as her friends serve up recipes for happiness.
In addition to Waitress, new members which will open in 2016 include: A Bronx Tale The Musical, Dear Evan Hansen, Roundabout Theater Company’s Holiday Inn and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.
Two-time Oscar winner and Academy Award winner for his role in The Godfather: Part II, Robert De Niro will co-direct A Bronx Tale, set to open December 1st. A streetwise musical set in The Bronx in the1960’s, it will feature a doo-wop score and weave the tale of a son caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be.
Meanwhile, Dear Evan Hansen will tell the story of an isolated teen with social anxiety who creates a fake friendship with a deceased classmate to foster a connection with the grieving family. The production will open for Broadway previews November 14 and has been called “a new story for the digital age.”
On September 1, performances of Holiday Inn: The New Irving Berlin Musical will begin, as a part of Roundabout Theater Company’s 2016‐2017 Season. The musical will feature over 20 classic songs from the Irving Berlin catalogue including “Steppin’ Out With My Baby,” It centers on a farmhouse turned Inn in Connecticut, where new associates and friends Jim and Linda put on performances at each holiday. This is disrupted when an outsider discovers Linda’s talent and attempts to steal her away to be his Hollywood dance partner.
Last but not least, blazing into Broadway’s Imperial Theater for previews on October 18th will be Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. Created by Dave Malloy, “The Great Comet” is an adaptation of a 70-page excerpt from Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Set in Moscow, the epic tale of romance and passion will star Josh Groban in his Broadway debut. The set design will put audiences inches from the action.
Following these debuts, musicals opening on Broadway as part of the Broadway Collection in 2017 will be Anastasia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Miss Saigon. Visit The Broadway Collection and Broadway Inbound sites for news updates.
