Must-See New Musicals of 2017
2016 was quite a year for new musicals on Broadway. We welcomed the revival of Broadway’s longest-running show Cats, got in line to conga with On Your Feet! and were immediately moved by Dear Evan Hansen. 2017 marks the dawn of new musicals, and we’ve rounded up a few that you absolutely cannot miss this year.
Miss Saigon
Direct from its smash London run, Cameron Mackintosh’s stunning new production of Boublil and Schonberg’s legendary musical Miss Saigon lands on Broadway in March, 2017, featuring its acclaimed stars Eva Noblezada and Jon Jon Briones.
Set in 1975 during the final days of the American occupation of Saigon, Miss Saigon is an epic love story about the relationship between an American GI and a young Vietnamese woman. Orphaned by war, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work as a bar girl in a sleazy Saigon nightclub, owned by a notorious wheeler-dealer known as “The Engineer.” John, an American GI, buys his friend Chris the services of Kim for the night—a night that will change their lives forever
What Critics Are Saying: “Thrilling, soaring and spectacular! Eva Noblezada is sensational. Jon Jon Briones brilliant, avaricious charm.” -The Times
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is the story of Phil Connors, a cynical Pittsburgh TV weatherman who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, PA, when he finds himself caught in a time loop, forced to repeat the same day again and again…and again. As each day plays out exactly the same as before Phil becomes increasingly despondent, but is there a lesson to be learned? Will he ever unlock the secret and break the cycle?
The 1993 Columbia Pictures film, with a screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, starred Bill Murray. Now widely regarded as a contemporary classic, Groundhog Day was cited by the Writers Guild of America as one of the 101 Greatest Screenplays ever written.
What Critics Are Saying: “This profound musical has its own dizzying brand of joy Groundhog Day is an amazing treat.” -London Evening Standard
Anastasia
Inspired by the beloved films, the romantic and adventure-filled new musical Anastasia comes to Broadway.
From the Tony Award®-winning creators of the Broadway musical Ragtime, this dazzling show transports us from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920’s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family.
Anastasia features a book by noted playwright Terrence McNally and a lush, original score by Stephen Flaherty (music) and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). Tony Award-winning director Darko Tresnjak directs.
What Critics Are Saying: “’Anastasia’ musical might give ‘Hamilton’ a run for its money.” –New York Post
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl’s most treasured tale is coming to the land where sweet dreams come true—Broadway—in a delicious new musical!
Willy Wonka, world famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous—and mysterious—factory is opening its gates…to a lucky few. It’s a world of pure imagination.
Two-time Tony Award® winner Christian Borle (Something Rotten, Peter and the Starcatcher) is the magical maestro Willy Wonka himself. And who better to conjure up these confectionary wonders than three-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O’Brien, the Grammy® and Tony-winning songwriters of Hairspray, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, internationally acclaimed playwright David Grieg, and Emmy®-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse. Audiences around the world have long adored the best-selling book and films, but none have experienced the magic of Wonka quite like this—until now.