The Broadway season continues to change its shape as two productions join the spring lineup (They were both announced previously, but I've been caught up with Oscars, rehearsals, and holiday shenanigans. Please forgive).
It didn't take long before the vultures hovered over the coveted St. James Theatre, mere hours after Side show posted its January 4th closing notice. The new musical comedy Something Rotten! will take its place. It begins previews on March 23rd with an opening set for April 22nd, the last day of Tony eligibility. Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw will direct and choreograph with a score by newcomers Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick. The story centers around two playwrights living in Shakespeare's shadow, who set out to write the world's first musical. Casting will be announced at a later date, though a recent New York workshop starred Christian Borle, Brian D'Arcy James, Brad Oscar, and Beth Leavel.
In other news, Broadway star Kelli O'Hara who makes her Met debut in "The Merry Widow", seems to have convinced her co-star to give the rialto a try. The legendary opera star Renee Fleming will make her Broadway debut in a new play Living on Love, by Joe DiPietro. Tony winner Kathleen Marshall will direct the Grammy winning soprano at the Longacre Theatre starting April 1st, with an official opening on April 20th. Fleming will be playing an Opera diva feuding with her husband, so we may even get to her a bit of singing. Tickets go on sale today for the limited 18 week engagement, and you probably can't afford them.
Bradley Cooper will try his hand for his first Tony nomination this year, but he is already a Broadway record-breaker. The Elephant Man has recouped its investment in an astonishing six and a half weeks. While the $3.1 million investment isn't the highest on Broadway, the success is nothing to scoff at. Cooper regularly helps the play draw in well over a million dollars at the box office each week, and The Elephant Man is the first production in the history of the Booth Theatre to do so. Its safe to say producers will want him back on Broadway again as he joins the likes of box office draws Hugh Jackman and Neil Patrick Harris.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have crazy theatre patrons to take care of and tons of shows to see before everything closes on January 4th. So much for a holiday break. If you want more info on what to see before the deathly grip of winter claims the lives of Broadway favorites, read my article over at SmashCut. And use this code on the TodayTix app for $20 off your first order: XJQKU. My Christmas gift to you.
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