This season is shaping up to attract
just as many theatergoers (or at least
those who own snow boots).
If you’re looking for a modern take
on the familiar, Spider-Man: Turn Off the
Dark, one of the year’s most-anticipated
musicals (and, at a cost of more than
$45 million, one of the most expensive
ever to produce) is slated to open Dec. 21
at the newly renamed Foxwoods Theater.
The show is directed by Julie Taymor
(The Lion King) and has new music and
lyrics by U2’s Bono and The Edge.
A little light Christmas cheer? Elf,
with George Wendt as Santa, opens
Nov. 14.
If the musical theater is your style, get
in line for Women on the Verge of a Nervous
Breakdown and The Scottsboro Boys.
And if you’re looking for something
completely different? Fela!, which is
set at the Shrine, Fela Kuti’s nightclub
in Nigeria in the 1970s, lures you into
becoming the audience there through
dance, song, storytelling, comedy and
fantasy. It’s closing Jan. 2—and Patti
LuPone is in the production until the
end—but its popularity might be a sign
that shows will have the license to break
the traditional rules of theater in the
future. At least that’s the hope of Sahr
Ngaujah, who alternates playing the
lead role with Kevin Mambo.
ARRIVE RECOMMENDS
The Addams Family
Despite a thin plot, the classic Broadway
numbers (jazz hands!) and fantastic sets
make for a snapping-fun show. The critics
hated it, but audiences love it.
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
Fela!
An Afrobeat musical about politics, power
and love. There’s so much energetic dancing
you’ll be tired from just watching.
Eugene O’Neill Theater
A Little Night Music
Stephen Sondheim does Sweden. A lovely
revival. Isn’t it rich?
The Walter Kerr Theater
In the Heights
A fresh take on boy-meets-girl, set to rap,
bachata and salsa.
Richard Rodgers Theatre
Billy Elliot
You can’t help but smile at a boy who
wants to dance ballet. And oh! How he
dances it.
Imperial Theatre
Rock of Ages
If you can sing along to “Come on Feel the
Noise,” you’ll get a kick out of this heavy-metal 1980s jukebox musical. Twisted
Sister’s Dee Snider recently joined the cast.
Brooks Atkinson Theatre
