Broadway Blog editor Matthew Wexler takes a look at some of Broadway’s biggest hits, which are bidding adieu this January.
Keke Palmer and Joe Carroll in “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” (photo: Carol Rosegg via The Broadway Blog.)
As 2014 comes to an end, so do the runs of many of our favorite Broadway shows. The current crop of new productions hasn’t been revelatory (perhaps with the exception of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), so it will be especially sad to bid adieu to some of our favorite standbys. But with a slew of vacant theaters comes January, perhaps some new blood will transfuse the Great White Way and get our hearts beating again. In the meantime, let’s take a last look at three of our favorites (plus a couple of bonuses) before they take their final bows…
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
The original television musical, which aired in 1957, was magically reinvented for the Broadway stage. Originally starring Laura Osnes, the show has seen a several star turns since, including Carly Rae Jepsen and now Keke Palmer. Beyond the gorgeous tunes and innovative design, Douglas Carter Beane retooled the book to make it appealing for a new generation.
Closes January 3, 2015
Josh Kaufman in “Pippin” (photo: Joan Marcus via The Broadway Blog.)
It was Bobby Fosse at his best when the original production of Pippin opened on Broadway in 1972. The fantastical reimagining by director Diane Paulus with circus creations by Gypsy Snider took the story to a whole new level. Andrea Martin brought the house down (and won a Tony Award, to boot) with a levitating performance, and the show itself snagged the award for Best Revival of a Musical. It now stars the winner of season five of The Voice, Josh Kaufman, and A Chorus Line vet Priscilla Lopez, who appeared in the original production.
Closes January 4, 2015
Once
Guy loses love and inspiration. Guy meets new girl. They put a band together and make music. Add to that Stephen Hogget’s now legendary foot-stomping choreography (or just go see The Last Ship) and you’ve got a show that swept the 2012 Tony Awards, including a win for Best Musical. Running for nearly three years, the show has managed to avoid the star-above-the-title machine, instead relying on a hardworking ensemble tasked with acting, singing, dancing, and playing the entire score. Hey, nobody said it was easy being a gypsy.
Closes January 4, 2015
The cast of Once (photo: Joan Marcus via The Broadway Blog.)
Take the jump for two more shows worth checking out…
The cast of Motown: The Musical (photo: Joan Marcus via The Broadway Blog.)
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There are two other shows closing next month, each of which celebrates the music industry in its own unique way. Rock of Ages follows the characters of Drew and Sherrie as they try to make careers for themselves in Los Angeles circa 1987. Original Tony Award nominee (and American Idol contestant) Constantine Maroulis is back in the production, belting out ‘80s favorites including “Sister Christian,” “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” and “The Search is Over.” Meanwhile over at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, the cast of Motown The Musical celebrates the music of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and more. Both shows close January 18, 2015.
