OurBKPicks: New Broadway Musicals Worth The Trip To Manhattan

Hadestown

Walter Kerr Theatre (open run)

Who knew hell on Broadway could be such an exhilarating experience? Hadestown, a new musical by Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, has taken its time to evolve to a full Broadway production — more than a decade to be exact — however, it comes at the most apropos time. The diverse New Orleans-inspired folk musical, led by Reeve Carney (Orpheus), André De Shields (Hermes), Amber Gray (Persephone), Eva Noblezada (Eurydice), and Patrick Page (Hades), reimagines the classic Greek mythology tale of Orpheus, Eurydice, and the underworld. The story is filled with messages of love, loss, faith and doubt. Hadestown, while not a political show, still moves its audience to mediate on the treatment of the environment, abuse of power, poverty, and even the building of walls. A set designed by Rachel Hauck and lightning designed by Bradley King make Hadestown a complete visual adventure. Vogue calls Hadestown “your next musical theater obsession,” and I couldn’t agree more.

How To Get A Ticket:

Lucky Seat hosts a digital lottery on luckyseat.com/Hadestown-NewYork. Fans who win can purchase a ticket (two max) at $42.50/ea.

The general rush policy for Hadestown is subject to availability. When the box office of the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th St.) opens, a limited number of rush tickets may be made available. General rush tickets are $42.50 each and can be purchased with cash or credit card. On two-show days, rush tickets for both the matinee and evening performances may be available when the box office opens.

Standing room tickets will only be made available if the performance is sold out and will not be sold until the day of the performance. Standing room tickets will be priced at $39 per ticket. They can be purchased with cash or credit card at the Kerr box office and there is a limit of two tickets per person.

Regular tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, by calling (877) 250-2929, or visiting the Kerr box office.

The Prom

Longacre Theatre (open run)

The Prom is the ultimate feel good musical comedy you didn’t know you needed. The original musical by Jack Viertel, featuring a book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin (also lyrics), is based on true events. The story follows an Indiana high-school senior, Emma (Caitlin Kinnunen), who wants to attend her prom with her girlfriend Alyssa (Isabelle McCalla). Parents of the school’s students are totally against Emma’s lesbian relationship and will do anything to make sure she doesn’t attend — even go as far as canceling the whole damn thing. All seems doomed for Emma until four narcissistic musical theatre stars, who are way past their prime and looking for their next spotlight, look for a way to get “good press” by traveling to Emma’s small conservative town to help her get the prom she deserves. Point-blank, the musical is as funny as it gets this season, but it does what theater does best, and brings some hard issues centerstage and makes the close-minded reevaluate their small thoughts. Both Beth Leavel as Dee Dee Allen and Brooks Ashmanskas as Barry Glickman serve over-the-top, heartwarming performances, and are completely the show’s tour de force. Choreographer Casey Nicholaw, who is also the show’s dynamic director, evokes passionate performances from the entire cast. The Prom is necessary theater, and while the story may not be for everyone, my hope is that many get to experience its transforming powers.

How To Get A Ticket:

The general rush policy for The Prom is subject to availability. When the box office of the Longacre Theatre (220 W. 48th St.) opens, a limited number of rush tickets may be made available. General rush tickets are $40 each and can be purchased with cash or credit card. On two-show days, rush tickets for both the matinee and evening performances may be available when the box office opens.

Regular tickets can be purchased at Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or visiting the Longacre box office.

Tootsie

Marquis Theatre (open run)

Tootsie is a new comedic musical adaptation of the 1982 film of the same name. With a book by Robert Horn and score by David Yazbek, the show presents an updated version of the Oscar-nominated film which follows an out-of-work actor, Michael Dorsey (Santino Fontana), who will do anything to succeed as an entertainer. Even if “anything” means becoming a woman. Fontana is a delight in this gender-bending role, but it’s Sarah Stiles as Sandy Lester that makes the show laugh-out-loud (literally) funny! The score, music and lyrics by David Yazbek (Band’s Visit) is infectious. While this show has many problems, even some that caused major controversy on social media, it opened to rave reviews and deserves to be seen. You’ll never forgive yourself if you miss this production.

If for nothing else, Tootsie is surely is good time in a season filled with politically focused theater.

How To Get A Ticket:

Broadway Direct hosts a digital lottery on lottery.BroadwayDirect.com. Fans who win can purchase a ticket (two max) at $42/ea.

The general rush policy for Tootsie is subject to availability. When the box office of the Marquis Theatre (210 W 46th St.) opens, a limited number of rush tickets may be made available. General rush tickets are $42 each and can be purchased with cash or credit card. On two-show days, rush tickets for both the matinee and evening performances may be available when the box office opens.

Regular tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, by calling (877) 250-2929, or visiting the Marquis box office.

Beetlejuice

Winter Garden (open run)

“This is a show about death.” And death has never been this entertaining since, well, never. If you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s 1988 movie which, in short, is about a dead guy who just wants to be acknowledged, then you may or may not go crazy over this musical adaptation. The book by Scott Brown and Anthony King gives the audience more of Beetlejuice (Alex Brightman) (so much for lack of  acknowledgement) and we don’t complain as Brighten is an entertaining ghost from the Netherworld; it’s the score, however, by Eddie Perfect that makes the show hard to sit through. If you’re waiting for THE SONG you’ll leave with humming, you’ll probably never get it. But in comes David Korins’ not-to-be-missed, elaborate set design that’ll have you yelling “Beetlejuice.” If you need a few laughs, can see the lightness in talking about death, and yearn for Broadway’s over-the-top scenic designs, this show is absolutely for you. Beetlejuice is also the most outrageous new show on Broadway that you actually shouldn’t miss this dreadful experience.

How To Get A Ticket:

Beetlejuice hosts a digital lottery on Beetlejuicelottery.com. Fans who win can purchase a ticket (two max) at $43/ea.

The general rush policy for Beetlejuice is subject to availability. When the box office of the Winter Garden (1634 Broadway) opens, a limited number of rush tickets may be made available. General rush tickets are $43 each and can be purchased with cash or credit card. On two-show days, rush tickets for both the matinee and evening performances may be available when the box office opens.

Regular tickets can be purchased at Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or visiting the Winter Garden box office.