Nerdy It Happy: 2017 Nerdy Jazz-Hands Worthy Broadway Shows

Huzzah! A new year and tons of new things to look forward to, including Broadway Shows! Check out the four shows we are excited for below this 2017. For a complete list of shows, see more at Playbill.

(Us to Broadway)

Rach’s Pick: Amélie

To say I’m excited about Amelie coming to Broadway is a lie. I am like a unicorn flying over rainbows of happiness excited. Not only is this fun, quirky, lovable Parisian gracing us with her presence on the Great White Way, she is being played by the equally fun and lovable, Phillipa Soo. You may recognize her from her Tony nominated role as Elizabeth Schuyler in a tiny little production called, Hamilton. Also joining Pippa is one of my Broadway favs, the mega talented, Adam Chanler-Berat of Next to Normal fame. Needless to say, if you find yourself in the Big Apple, get yourself to the Walter Kerr this spring for whimsy, magic, and fun!

• Theatre: Walter Kerr
• Previews: March 9, 2017
• Opening: April 3, 2017
• Written by Dan Messé (music), Nathan Tyson (lyrics), Craig Lucas (book)
• Director: Pam MacKinnon
• Cast: Phillipa Soo and Adam Chanler-Berat
(Information from Playbill.com)

Jams’ Pick: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory

Coming to Broadway on this Spring is Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical! Whenever something from your childhood becomes a Broadway musical it can either be pure magic, or pure disappointment. One cannot go into something like this trying to compare it to what you already know. We all know that no one can compare to the world of pure imagination that Gene Wilder brought to us. That doesn’t mean that Christian Borle can’t fill Wonka’s shoes in his own way. You can check out Borle’s pipes at Feinstein’s/54 Below – A Night of Cut Songs from Something Rotten.

I personally am looking forward to a fresh new take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, especially if it is a Broadway musical. If that doesn’t have you convinced, check out this teaser trailer for the musical:

• Theatre: Lunt-Fontanne
• First Preview: March 28, 2017
• Opening: April 23, 2017
• Written by David Greig (book), Marc Shaiman (music & lyrics), Scott Wittman (lyrics), Roald Dahl (novel)
• Director: Jack O’Brien
• Cast: Christian Borle as Willy Wonka
(Information from Playbill.com)

Jen’s Pick: Anastasia

I remember watching Anastasia as a child and being immediately swept away by its wonderful music. It is one of the few non-Disney animated films that has become a classic with songs like “Once Upon a December”, “Learn to Do It”, and my personal favourite, “At the Beginning”. Let’s face it, what young girl wouldn’t love to discover that she is the lost princess of a country?

I’m excited to see that the main cast for the Broadway production is the same cast as the production that ran in Hartford. More importantly, the music and lyrics for both productions are in the capable hands of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, the creatives behind the music in the 1997 film. Playbill has reported that only six of the original songs from the movie were kept and an additional sixteen songs were created for the stage production. We’ll just have to wait and see which songs made the cut. In the meantime, here is a sneak preview of “Journey to the Past” sung by Anya herself, Christy Altomare!

• Theatre: Broadhurst
• First Preview: March 23, 2017
• Opening: April 24, 2017
• Music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, book by Terrence McNally
• Director: Darko Tresnjak
• Cast: Christy Altomare, Derek Klena, Ramin Karimloo, Mary Beth Peil, John Bolton, and Caroline O’Connor
(Information from Playbill.com)

Roni’s Pick: Groundhog Day

A musical adaptation of one of the more subtle time-manipulation films in history, a staple of my childhood? The 1993 Bill Murray film about the cynical TV weatherman who is begrudgingly sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event is one of my favorite films of all time. I can watch it whenever it’s on. I’m intrigued to see it in a musical format, but the original story and characters are strong enough to lend it itself to a new medium of storytelling. I hope to get the chance to see Phil Conners’ never-ending day on Broadway. “Just put your ‘lil hand in mine…” “Smash!”

• Theatre: August Wilson
• Previews: March 16, 2017
• Opening: April 17, 2017
• Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, book by Danny Rubin
• Director: Matthew Warchus
• Cast: Andy Karl
(Information from Playbill.com)

Is your inner theater nerd compelled to make it to New York this year? As Gene Kelly sings, “That’s the Broadway melody!”

Nerd On!
~Roni