What Broadway shows are waiting for us in New York this spring

This spring, admirers of theatrical art are waiting on Broadway. Both high-profile premieres and shows of musicals already loved by the audience are expected here. New York Times.

PARADE

The story of Leo Frank, charged with the rape and murder of a teenage girl and lynched by an anti-Semitic mob in Georgia in 1915, doesn't sound like a high-profile Broadway musical, does it? Yet the original 1998 production won a Tony Award for Alfred Uhry's book and Jason Robert Brown's score. Nearly 25 years later, Michael Arden directed a well-received play at the New York City Center starring Ben Platt. Thankfully, the production is heading to Broadway, again with Platt as Frank and Michaela Diamond as his wife, Lucille.

Premieres March 16 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Manhattan.

SHUCKED

When crop failure hits the small town of Cob County, an expert "corn doctor" comes to the rescue, but is he really a scammer? Such is the core of this corn musical comedy. Well received at its premiere screening at the Pioneer Theater Company, it promises songs and lots of laughs - sounds amazing. The book was written by Tootsie screenwriter Robert Horn, who won a Tony Award. The songs were written by Brandi Clark and Shane McAnally. The director is the ubiquitous Jack O'Brien.

Previews begin March 8th. And the premiere will take place on April 4 at the Nederlander Theater, Manhattan.

LIFE OF PI

A long, tense confrontation between a 16-year-old boy and a Bengal tiger stranded on a lifeboat. It is a story of hope and survival, first told in an award-winning novel by Yann Martel in 2002. A decade later, it became an Oscar-winning film directed by Ang Lee. And most recently it was adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti. The 2021 West End production won five Olivier Awards. And stopping by Broadway seems like a good move. Hiran Abeysekera, who starred in London, will reprise his role as Pi, with Max Webster directing. There will be no real tigers among the actors. Puppetry and movement are handled by Finn Caldwell and puppet designs by Caldwell and Nick Barnes.

Previews begin March 9th. Premieres March 30 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Manhattan.

On the subject: Children will be able to attend free Broadway performances in New York: conditions of the action

PETER PAN GOES WRONG

What's the worst that can happen? When the theater company Mischief, which produced The Play That Went Wrong, takes on J. M. Barry's classic play about a boy who never wants to grow up, there are bound to be a few flying mishaps. This farce, which premiered in the West End in 2015, will arrive on Broadway this spring, with Mayhem directed by Adam Meggido.

Previews begin March 17th. The premiere will take place on April 19 at the Barrymore Theater in Manhattan.

THE THANKSGIVING PLAY

You can't please everyone... but you can try! In this satirical comedy by Larissa Fasthorse, a troupe of super progressive artists create a culturally sensitive elementary school competition that spans both Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Month (no actual Native Americans involved). After a well-received premiere at Playwrights Horizons, the play is heading to Broadway in 2018 and directed by Rachel Chavkin (“Headstown”).

Previews begin March 25; premieres April 20 at the Helen Hayes Theatre, Manhattan.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Old becomes new when a new musical, inspired by a 1977 film about young artists with big dreams in a post-World War II big city, hits Broadway. It's not easy, but if they can do it here, they can do it anywhere. The musical includes classics like the title number as well as new songs - and a huge cast. The score was written by Kander and Ebb, original story by David Thompsono and Sharon Washington, additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Directed by Susan Stroman.

Previews begin March 24th. The premiere will take place on April 26 at the St. James Theatre, Manhattan.

ROOM

Like Life of Pi, The Room went from a best-selling novel to an award-winning film. And now to the Broadway production. Adapted by Emma Donoghue from her 2010 novel about a mother and son who were held captive in a barn for years, the play features songs and theatrical aspects. For example, an adult alter ego for young Jack. However, the essence of the story of hope, imagination and resilience remains the same. The songs were written by Scottish singers Katherine Joseph and Cora Bissett.

Previews start April 3rd. Premieres April 17 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, Manhattan.

SUMMER, 1976

The cast alone, with Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht, should take you to the box office. David Auburn's film is set in Ohio in the year of the bicentennial. It follows the budding friendship between Diana (Linnie), an artist and single mother, and Alice (Hecht), a naive housewife. As the country celebrates independence, women struggle with motherhood, ambition, intimacy, and longing for their own sense of freedom. Directed by Daniel Sullivan.

Previews begin April 4th. And it will premiere on April 25 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Manhattan.

GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR

Sean Hayes plays pianist, performer and incomparable wit Oscar Levant in a new play by Doug Wright. Levant became famous for a number of television interviews with Jack Paar. There, Levant spoke openly and a bit scandalously about his battles with depression and mental illness. The play premiered last year at the Goodman Theater in Chicago to rave reviews. For example, this one from the Chicago Tribune: “This is an amazing performance of the main role: touching, empathetic, deeply emotional and a little scary.” Anticipation is in the air. Directed by Lisa Peterson.

Previews start April 7th. And the premiere will take place on April 24 at the Belasco Theater, Manhattan.

FIRST FACE

In Killing Eve, Jodie Comer proved that she is simply mesmerizing. Therefore, this exciting solo performance will undoubtedly become the main event of the spring season. The play contains warnings about the trigger. Comer plays a lawyer who ruthlessly defends men accused of sexual assault. But then she suddenly finds herself on the witness stand. In 2022, Comer won the Evening Standard Award for Best Actress for her performance in the West End. Susie Miller's play was directed by Justin Martin.

Previews start April 11th. The premiere will take place on April 23 Golden Theater, Manhattan.