PRHMUSIC&ART The Theatre Geek
YOUR DAY IN NY BEGINS HERE!
Broadway Roulette will Pick a Show for You
I
by Marialena Rago
n the summer, many people take trips to sunny, tropical vacation destinations. But if you are anything like me, you would prefer the hustle and bustle of a good, old-fashioned New York day trip. Shopping in SoHo, grabbing lunch at a cool, hip place and ending with a Broadway show. Every June, the American Theater Wing presents its Tony Awards to the best of the best on The Great White Way. This season, Broadway saw its highest grossing year to date
with theaters at 98% capacity. I think it’s safe to say that this year’s new shows are ones you won’t want to miss. Here is a little guide to the Broadway season. Musicals This year had a great variety of shows from comedies like The Prom (which will close on August 11th), Beetlejuice and Tootsie to jukebox musicals like The Cher Show (closing Aug 18) and Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations. This year’s winner was the Greek mythology based Hadestown which follows two intertwining love stories - Orpheus and Eurydice; King Hades and Persephone. The show, complete with its
72
Tony Award-winning score, takes you to the underworld and back on an epic journey that pits love against fear, faith against doubt. Two of my favorite categories are Best Leading Actress and Best Leading Actor in a Musical. I was particularly excited because two of my absolute favorites won in their respective categories. Stephine J. Block won for her diva role in The Cher Show. When you listen to her sing and talk, you truly believe she is Cher. Santino Fontana won for his portal of Dorthy Michaels/ Michael Dorsey in Tootsie (based on the Dustin Hoffman movie of the same name). Tootsie also won Best Book of a Musical; this production will have you rolling
| ROWHOME MAGAZINE | July / August / September 2019
in your seat with laughter. This year marked a historical win in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category. Ali Stroker, in her role of Ado Annie from Oklahoma!, is the first person in a wheelchair to win a Tony Award (and to ever be on Broadway). The show also won Best Revival of a Musical for its bare bones and more modern version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic. Plays The Ferryman walked away with Best Play. In 1981 Ireland, the Carney family is preparing for the annual harvest. The Hollywood Reporter says, “This crackling thriller positively thrums with life and love. It will leave you breathless.” Brian Cranson won Best Actor for Network and Elaine May won for The Waverly Gallery. Unfortunately, both are closed now. But if you are looking for a play, consider tickets to To Kill a Mockingbird. The classic story gets a retelling with a book by Emmy Award-winner Aaron Sorken and
features 2019 Best Supporting Actress in a Play winner Celia Keenan-Bolger as Scout. Actor Jeff Daniels plays Atticus Finch until early November, when Ed Harris takes over. With so many show options, how will you choose? Luckily, there’s a great program called Broadway Roulette that will pick a show for you. You pick the day and how many tickets you want, then you’ll be asked some preference questions: Do you like plays or musicals? Do you want something that’s family friendly? Are there any shows you already know you don’t want to see? What have you seen recently (you’re allowed to eliminate four for free, but can pay $10 to eliminate a few more). When the day of your trip arrives, you’ll know which show, when to head to the theatre and where to go. The tickets run $49-59 – a steal for premier Broadway tickets! PRH Visit www.broadwayroulette. com to find out more. gohomephilly.com