Summer Broadway Preview: What Shows Should You See?

While I haven’t seen every show currently on Broadway, I’ve seen most of them. In this article, I’ll give you my honest opinion about the ones I’ve seen, but I’ll only include the news shows. I won’t discuss long-running shows like Hamilton or The Lion King. Here’s my rundown (I’ve given 6 of these “top pick” status, so there’s lot to see):

Boop! The Musical. *TOP PICK* If you want to see an old-fashioned style, big Broadway musical that makes you feel good, this is an excellent choice. I thoroughly enjoyed this show, even though it’s mostly frivolous with some nice feminist moments during the second act. Jasmine Amy Rogers, however, who plays Betty Boop, is a revelation, making a star turn in this role that earned her a Tony Award nomination. The show was directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, who brought us Kinky Boots. Highly recommended if you like pure entertainment.

Buena Vista Social Club. *TOP PICK* I absolutely adored this show. There is a story (which is mostly true), but it’s more of a showcase for the singers, dancers, and musicians to perform the incredible vintage Cuban music that you’ll hear throughout. These are virtuoso performers (they’re even set to receive a special Tony award), and I can’t imagine that you won’t want to dance in your seat. I plan to see this one again.

Death Becomes Her. This hilarious show is loads of fun, but it wouldn’t be my top choice. Led by Broadway stars Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, who sing the hell out of the songs, I still can’t say I remembered more than one of the tunes. If you liked the movie and want to laugh hard, this might be the show for you, but I don’t quite understand why it received so many Tony nominations.

Floyd Collins. This show at Lincoln Center (a little off the beaten path from other Broadway theaters), is by composer Adam Guettel (the grandson of Richard Rodgers and the composer of The Light in the Piazza). It showcases big Broadway star and incredible singer Jeremy Jordan. I see everything he does. It’s based on the true tragic story of a Kentucky miner, which makes it anything but a feel-good musical. Guettel’s score is also not as accessible as most Broadway music, but it’s worth seeing for the wonderful cast and the incomparable Jordan. The show received 6 Tony nominations.

Good Night and Good Luck. *TOP PICK* This straight play based on the film stars George Clooney. Need I say more? There’s nothing new from the movie, but it’s well done and timely, as it shows how much we need journalists in order to keep checks on our government.

Gypsy. This revival of one of the best musicals ever written has been beautifully produced with Audra McDonald as Rose, Joy Woods as Louise, and Danny Burstein as Herbie. I had a great time, even if Audra’s voice isn’t what we’re used to hearing in the role of Rose. Nevertheless, she acts the hell out of this character, and Joy is a new star on Broadway who is showing herself to be worthy of sharing the stage with the greats.

Maybe Happy Ending. *TOP PICK* This new musical has been the surprise of the season. Starring Darren Criss of Glee and unknown Helen J. Chen, it’s nice to see Asian-American leads in a show that’s done so well. People didn’t know much about it when it started, but it has gotten great buzz – and rightly so. (The cast album is already available.) It’s a feel-good love story set in South Korea about two robots who become more and more human. A smaller musical with a lovely score, I highly recommend it and expect it to be a top contender for the Best Musical Tony Award.

Pirates! The Penzance Musical. *TOP PICK* This revival of Gilbert and Sulllivan’s The Pirates of Penzance stars David Hyde Pierce of Frazier and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo, along with Jinkx Monsoon from RuPaul’s Drag Race. It turns the classic musical on its head by setting it in New Orleans, but it’s a hoot and a half. If you’re looking for lighthearted fun, you’ll love this.

Real Women Have Curves. *TOP PICK* I love that we have two new musicals with Latin American music this season. This new one based on the film starring America Ferrera is very well done. A timely story about immigrants trying to make ends meet in the U.S. without getting deported, it’s also a beautifully told feminist theme that leaves you feeling good. The cast is stellar, the book is solid, and the score is nicely written. In fact, a couple of the songs in this show are hysterically funny. Highly recommended. I wish this show had received more Tony Award nominations, but it did get nods for best score and best featured actress.

Smash. This show loosely based on the TV show is a big musical extravaganza with lots of dance and flash. You can’t fault the actors, who all sing, act, and dance the heck out of their roles. And you certainly can’t fault the brilliant score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, mostly taken from the series. I have to fault the book, which has changed the story significantly from what we watched on television. I understand why they did this – the score for TV was full of 11:00 showstoppers that don’t allow for a progressive story. There are moments that are extremely funny, but I thought the premise was too outrageous for it to work. The Ivy character, played on stage by Robyn Hurder and on TV by Megan Hilty, becomes ridiculous the way she’s written here. For that reason, it wasn’t my favorite this season, but if you’re a fan of the TV show, you’ll at least enjoy hearing this score sung so well. (And while Bella Coppola’s character has no real reason for being, that woman can SING! She’s a real find.) This show was largely snubbed by the Tony nomination committee, which was a big surprise to me.

There are more shows currently on Broadway that I haven’t seen but expect to see. These include Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salongo, straight play John Proctor is the Villain starring Sadie Sink from Stranger Things, Dead Outlaw by the composer of The Band’s Visit (a top contender for the Best Musical Tony Award), Just In Time starring Jonathan Groff (nominated for a Tony for this performance) about the life of Bobby Darrin, straight play Call Me Izzy starring Jean Smart of Hacks, and straight play The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Sarah Snook of Succession (also nominated for a Tony for her performance).

There are others I don’t expect to see. These include Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal with ticket prices to match their notoriety; Glengarry Glen Ross starring Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, and Bill Burr; Redwood starring Idina Menzel; The Last Five Years starring Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren; Operation Mincemeat, which transferred from London; straight play Purpose; and Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a stage version (not a musical) based on the TV series.