Together with its British counterpart, the West End, Broadway offers some of the best theatre in the world. Both are the crème de la crème, the epitome of theatrical artistry, and the dream destinations for every theatre enthusiast around the world. Over the years, the West End has been the starting point for many productions that have later found their home on Broadway. This transatlantic relationship dates back decades, allowing for the import of ideas and techniques that infused new life into musical theatre on both sides of the Atlantic.
The first wave of British musicals making their mark on Broadway can be traced back to the 1960s and 70s with the arrival of shows like Oliver! and Evita. Broadway creatives adapted the shows for American stages, making sure they resonated with the new audience without losing their original essence. This process often involved changes in the cast, tweaks in the script, and sometimes even alterations in the set design and choreography.
A number of currently running Broadway shows started their way on the West End's stages. Back to the Future: The Musical, a theatrical interpretation of the classic 1985 movie, made its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House in February 2020, transferring to the West End in 2021. With a cast of beloved characters led by Marty McFly and Doc Brown, this nostalgic production quickly became a fan favorite.
The creators - Bob Gale, Robert Zemeckis, and Alan Silvestri - stayed true to the original movie while inserting thrilling new additions to the score. After a successful run in the UK, a transition to Broadway followed suit. The first preview of Back to the Future: The Musical stateside was held on June 30, 2023. Broadway welcomed a new addition to the cast, with Casey Likes stepping into the iconic role of Marty McFly. Known for his role in Broadway’s Almost Famous, Likes brought a unique blend of youthful energy and depth to the character. Roger Bart and Hugh Coles, who played Dr. Emmett Brown and George McFly, respectively, in the West End production, reprised their roles on Broadway.
Another show that transferred to Broadway after a West End run is & Juliet, a riotous reinterpretation of Shakespeare's tragic love story Romeo and Juliet. Premiering at the Manchester Opera House in September 2019, & Juliet shook the West End with its eclectic pop score and unconventional plot. This modern spin on Bard’s timeless tale asks: 'What if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning?' This show is a story of self-discovery, empowerment, and a jukebox of hit pop songs like "...Baby One More Time" and "I Want It That Way.” The show's avant-garde approach turned heads, earning nine Olivier Award nominations and winning three, including Best Actress in a Musical for Miriam-Teak Lee's charismatic portrayal of Juliet.
The success of & Juliet in London paved the way for its eventual move to Broadway. Taking up residence at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, the show features an all-new cast, including Maya Boyd as Juliet and Betsy Wolfe and David Bedella, who play the roles of Anne and Lance, respectively.
SIX premiered at the Arts Theatre in London's West End in 2019, transforming the tragic tales of Henry VIII's six wives into a pop concert extravaganza. Each of the queens grabs the mic to tell their side of the story, sprinkling history with a dash of 21st-century girl power. On the West End, the show was met with rave reviews and several awards, not to mention a loyal fan base.
SIX, however, was not content with conquering just the UK. The show set its sights on Broadway and made its debut at the Lena Horne Theatre in 2020. Critical acclaim followed the musical across the ocean. Among its accolades were the 2022 Tony Award® for Best Original Score and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Broadway Musical.
With SIX’s move to Broadway came an entirely new cast that promised a fresh perspective on the fan-favorite show. Khaila Wilcoxon takes on the role of the first queen, Catherine of Aragon. Storm Lever portrays Anne Boleyn, while Jasmine Forsberg plays the gentle Jane Seymour. Olivia Donalson embodies the feisty Anna of Cleves. Didi Romero brings Katherine Howard to life, while Gabriela Carrillo rounds out the lineup as Catherine Parr.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child debuted at the West End's Palace Theatre in 2016 and soon earned both critical acclaim and commercial success. The extension of the beloved Potter universe teased out a new era of magic - now following the beloved characters as adults.
In 2018, the show premiered at New York's Lyric Theatre. When the play first premiered in the US, the original UK cast, led by Jamie Parker as Harry, transferred to Broadway in their respective roles. However, since then, the show has found new stars to carry the magical wand. Taking the lead as the titular character, Steve Haggard has stepped into the shoes of the Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter. Alongside him, Cara Ricketts has taken on the role of the brilliant Hermione Granger, while Daniel Fredrick is charming audiences as the lovable Ron Weasley. Rounding out the main cast, Erik C. Peterson and Joel Meyers play the younger generation of magicians - Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter, respectively.
While the London version was divided into two parts, the Broadway version has now been condensed into a single, streamlined narrative. This decision was made with the aim of making the show more accessible to audiences, providing them with the full Harry Potter experience in one sitting. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Harry Potter series or a newcomer to the wizarding world, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway promises a magical evening of theatre.
Recent transfers from the West End are currently making their Broadway debuts, ready to make a splash stateside, including Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is a reimagining of the iconic Cabaret, directed by Rebecca Frecknall and choreographed by Julia Cheng. Eddie Redmayne, known for his work on The Theory of Everything and the Fantastic Beasts franchise, reprises his role as Emcee.
The best part of live theatre is its ability to evolve with each new staging and performance, meaning that every production is unlike others. So, even if you've had the chance to witness these shows on the West End, the Broadway experience promises a new perspective on your old favorites. The stage is set, the tickets are booked, and Broadway is ready. Are you?