Monday, July 05, 2010

Broadway's Confirmed Shows For 2010-11

Broadway's Confirmed Shows For 2010-11

What shows are opening on Broadway during the upcoming year?

Currently, there are 35 plays, musicals and special theatrical events that have confirmed their venue and schedules for the 2010-11 Theatrical Season.

While it's entirely possible that more than one of the following plays or musicals that have already been confirmed for the 2010-11 Theatrical Season may ultimately never materialize, here's the current list of what is scheduled to open:

July 2010

Harry Connick, Jr. in Concert on Broadway (Neil Simon Theatre)

Harry Connick, Jr. returned to Broadway for his first time since appearing in The Pajama Game four years ago. This time, it was all Harry, all the time. In concert. On Broadway.

The limited run began performances July 15 and extended through July 31, 2010. The show has since closed but was filmed for posterity. Click here for my SOB Review.


September 2010

Mrs. Warren's Profession (American Airlines Theatre)

Cherry Jones finally returns to Broadway in Doug Hughes' revival of the enduring George Bernard Shaw work. The play centers on the lengths one mother goes toward keep her daughter comfortable.

Previews began September 3, and the show opened on October 3. The limited run concluded on November 28, 2010. Click here for my SOB Preview and here for my SOB Review.


Brief Encounter (Studio 54)

The single best show I saw all last season is now coming to Broadway. Kneehigh Theatre's production of Noël Coward's Brief Encounter defies any neat description as it seamlessly incorporates both music and a stunning projection design. After seeing this show, I'll defy you to tell me a Tony Award for projection design isn't finally in order.

Previews began September 10 and opened September 28. The limited run has been extended through January 2, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview. For my SOB Review, click here.


The Pitmen Painters (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre)

Manhattan Theatre Club transfers Lee Hall's lauded play and its London cast. Helmed by Max Roberts, The Pitmen Painters focuses on poor coal miners who become celebrated for their paintings.

Previews began September 14, and the show opened September 30. The limited run is scheduled through December 12, 2010. Click here for my SOB Preview, and click here for my SOB Review.


A Life In The Theatre (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre)

Patrick Stewart and T. R. Knight star as two stage actors in a power struggle in Neil Pepe's revival of the David Mamet play. This marks the work's first time on Broadway.

Previews began September 21. The play's opening night was October 12, 2010. The limited run concluded early on November 28. Click here for my SOB Preview. Click here for my SOB Review.


Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre)

The acclaimed emo-rock musical about the United States' seventh President was a smash hit at New York's Public Theatre where it concluded an extended run in late June. Benjamin Walker will reprise the eponymous role he created in LA, which is ironic given he has just turned down a Hollywood film to do so.

This transfer began previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on September 20 and opened on October 13. The show is now set to close January 2, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview and here for my SOB Review.


La Bête (Music Box Theatre)

David Hyde Pierce, Mark Rylance and Joanna Lumley lead the cast in Matthew Warchus' revival of David Hirson's contemporary satire about a theatre troupe and the compromises made in the name of art.

Transferring directly from London, previews for this play began September 23. The show opened October 14, 2010, and the limited run will conclude early on January 9, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Lombardi (Circle in the Square Theatre)

Eric Simonson's new play about iconic Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is directed by Thomas Kail (In The Heights). Dan Lauria stars as the football great with Judith Light portraying his wife.

Previews for this open-ended run began September 23, and Lombardi opened October 21, 2010. Click here for my SOB Preview. Click here for my SOB Review.


October 2010

Driving Miss Daisy (John Golden Theatre)

Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones will return to the Great White Way this fall in Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Driving Miss Daisy. Tony winner Boyd Gaines is also in the cast.

Previews began at the John Golden Theatre on October 7. Driving Miss Daisy opened on October 25. The limited engagement will conclude its run January 29, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


The Scottsboro Boys (Lyceum Theatre)

John Kander and the late Fred Ebb's "new" musical about the injustices young African-American men face when arrested for crimes against white women in Alabama. The tuner is directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman. (I'm so excited about this show that I caught its out of town tryout.)

Previews for this open-ended show began October 7, 2010, and it opened October 31, 2010. The show has posted a closing notice for December 12, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (Belasco Theatre)

Lincoln Center Theatre presents David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane's new musical adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar's celebrated 1988 film about an actress coping with life after her lover has left. Bartlett Sher directs a stellar cast including Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sherie Rene Scott and Laura Benanti.

Previews for its open-ended run were delayed until October 8, but its November 4 opening night took place as planned. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles (Neil Simon Theatre)

The Beatles-tribute band Rain brings its concert show to Broadway. Shows like this and Connick's will make you wonder why they don't just bring back the Special Event Tony.

Previews began October 19 and the show opened October 26, 2010. The limited run is scheduled through January 9, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview. Click here for my SOB Review.


The Merchant Of Venice (Broadhurst Theatre)

The Public Theater transfers William Shakespeare's The Merchant Of Venice revival from Central Park to Broadway this fall. Directed by Daniel Sullivan, this production famously stars Al Pacino as Shylock.

Performances commenced October 19, and while the show "opened" November 7, the press opening has been delayed to November 13 due to the death of Lily Rabe's mother, Jill Clayburgh. The limited run will conclude January 9, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


A Free Man of Color (Vivian Beaumont Theatre)

George C. Wolfe directs this John Guare play about a chain of events put into motion by a wealthy Don Juan type in New Orleans, circa 1802.

Previews were delayed until October 23 with opening set for November 18. This Lincoln Center limited run is scheduled through January 2, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Colin Quinn: Long Story Short (Helen Hayes Theatre)

Comedian Colin Quinn returns to Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre for a 75-minute history of the world lesson via Colin Quinn: Long Story Short, his one-man show directed by Jerry Seinfeld.

The limited engagement began previews on October 22. It opened November 9 and runs 11 weeks through January 8, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


The Pee-Wee Herman Show (Stephen Sondheim Theatre)

After a celebrated West Coast run of his new adventure with his "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" cohorts, Pee-Wee Herman (a/k/a Paul Reubens) is seeking to complete his comeback (and Reubens' career rehabilitation).

Previews began October 26, and the show opened November 11, 2010. Currently, the very limited run is slated to close January 2, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


November 2010

Elf (Al Hirshfeld Theatre)

The holiday film becomes holiday musical this November, with a book by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan and score from Chad Beguelin and Matt Sklar (The Wedding Singer).

Under the direction of Casey Nicholaw, this limited run began previews on November 2 and opened November 14. The musical will then conclude on January 2, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Elling (Ethel Barrymore Theatre)

Simon Bent's 2007 London play Elling will play Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre this fall with Denis O'Hare, Jennifer Coolidge and Brendan Fraser. Elling will be directed by Doug Hughes.

The limited run began previews on November 2 and opened November 21. The play closed November 28 after mixed reviews and lack of audience. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark (Foxwoods Theatre)

Given this show's notorious tabloid life to date, its inclusion on this list may have previously seemed dubious at best. But confirmation of set dates came on August 10, more than a month after U2 manager Paul McGuinness was quoted by a Dublin paper saying Julie Taymor's beleaguered production would still arrive this year. Additionally, the load-ins began in July and rehearsals begin August 16.

Previews were slated to began November 28. The further delays mean that the opening night scheduled for December 21 has been pushed back until January 11, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


December 2010

Donny And Marie: A Broadway Christmas (Marquis Theatre)

According to The New York Times, Donny and Marie Osmond will deck the halls of the Marquis Theatre with holiday cheer, bringing new meaning to the Great White Way. The duo already possesses Broadway debut credits -- Donny Osmond starred in the failed 1982 revival of Little Johnny Jones while Marie Osmond served as a replacement for Donna Murphy in the last revival of The King And I.

The extended run is scheduled to start on December 9 before dashing through the snow on December 30. Click here for my SOB Preview.


The Importance Of Being Earnest (American Airlines Theatre)

Roundabout Theatre Company will revive Oscar Wilde's social farce about assumed identities and love. The play will be directed by Brian Bedford, who is also set to star along with Dana Ivey, Paxton Whitehead and Santino Fontana.

The play is currently slated to begin previews December 17 and open January 13, 2011. The limited run will conclude on March 6.


February 2011

Good People (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre)

Daniel Sullivan helms this world premiere work by David Lindsay-Abaire about a working-class Boston woman (Frances McDormand) with dreams. Becky Ann Baker, Tate Donovan, Renée Elise Goldsberry and Estelle Parsons also will star.

Previews begin February 8, 2011 and the play opens March 3, 2011. Manhattan Theatre Club's limited run is currently scheduled through May 8, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


That Championship Season (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre) 

Gregory Mosher is set to direct a revival of Jason Miller's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning That Championship Season on Broadway. The revival  will star Brian CoxKiefer Sutherland, Jason PatricChris Noth and comedian Jim Gaffigan.

The revival will begin previews at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on February 9, 2011, and open on March 6. The limited run is scheduled through May 29.


The Book of Mormon (Eugene O'Neill Theatre)

What happens when the creators of "South Park" and Avenue Q team up? An idiotically irreverent, completely crude and overtly politically incorrect musical, no doubt. The tuner will be directed by Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw.

The musical will begin previews at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on February 24 and open March 24. Click here for my SOB Preview.


How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (Al Hirschfeld Theatre)

Daniel Radcliffe is set to make his Broadway musical debut in Frank Loesser's tuner. Directed by Rob Ashford, this revival comes a mere 15 years after the last one opened, but compared with many musicals these days, that's practically a lifetime. The show will also star John Larroquette, Rose Hemingway, Christopher J. Hanke, Tammy Blanchard, Mary Faber and Ellen Harvey.
This musical revival will begin previews on February 26 and open March 27, 2011. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Priscilla Queen Of The Desert (Palace Theatre)

After first premiering in Sydney nearly four years ago (where I saw and enjoyed it), this jukebox musical version of the film with music moved on to London and is now slated to come to Broadway by way of Toronto. The Great White Way outing will include Will Swenson (Hair) as Tick, Nick Adams (A Chorus Line) as Felicia and Tony Sheldon's extraordinary Bernadette.

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert begins preview performances at Broadway's Palace Theatre on February 28, 2011, and opens March 20. Click here for my SOB Preview.




March 2011

Catch Me If You Can (Neil Simon Theatre)

In April, it was announced that Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman's musical version of the film was Broadway bound for a Spring 2011 berth. Jack O'Brien will direct and Jerry Mitchell is set to choreograph now that they've bailed on Love Never Dies. Casting to be announced.

Catch Me If You Can will begin previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on March 7, 2011, with an opening night scheduled for April 10. Click here for my SOB Preview.


According to an October 21 report from The New York Times, Rajiv Joseph's Pulitzer Prize-nominated finalist Bengal Tiger At The Baghdad Zoo will arrive on Broadway in March 2011. The bigger news is that Robin Williams is slated to portray the eponymous animal.

The production is slated to begin previews on March 10 and open March 31 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.



Anything Goes (Stephen Sondheim Theatre)

Sutton Foster and Joel Grey will star in this Kathleen Marshall-helmed revival of Cole Porter's classic musical. Anything Goes will be mounted by Roundabout Theatre Company, which has said that this tuner will not be downsized.

Previews begin on March 10, 2010, with opening night set for April 7. Click here for my SOB Preview.


Wonderland (Marquis Theatre)

A contemporary musical reimagining of Lewis Carroll's classic tale about the Alice who falls through the rabbit hole, will arrive on Broadway courtesy of Frank Wildhorn, Jack Murphy and Gregory Boyd.

Previews begin at the Marquis Theatre on March 21, 2011, with opening night scheduled for April 17. Click here for my SOB Preview.


April 2011
War Horse (Vivian Beaumont Theatre)

Lincoln Center brings the highly-anticipated and acclaimed London production of War Horse to Broadway. The World War I tale of a man and his horse is brought to life through puppetry and music.

Previews are set to begin on March 17, 2011. Opening night is scheduled for April 14, 2010.

The Motherf**ker With The Hat

Anna D. Shapiro will push any semblance of Broadway censorship to the brink as she directs Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Motherf**ker With The Hat at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre starting in March 2011. Produced by The Public Theater, the play will star Chris RockBobby Cannavale, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Annabella Sciorra and Yul Vazquez.

Previews for the play begin at the Schoenfeld on March 22 with opening night set for April 11, 2011. The limited run will close June 26, 2011.


Sister Act (Broadway Theatre)

The stage musical version of Whoopi Goldberg's hit film that originated at the Pasedena Playhouse in 2006 is now Broadway-bound in Spring 2011. The woman born as Caryn Elaine Johnson will retain her production credit as she has in the current London version, but Jerry Zaks is being brought in to direct the Main Stem incarnation. No word yet on casting.

Sister Act announced it will begin previews at the Broadway Theatre on March 24, 2011. The production will open on April 20. Click here for my SOB Preview.


The People In The Picture (American Airlines Theatre)

Roundabout Theatre Company is bringing Tony-winning actress Donna Murphy back to Broadway in the new musical The People In The PictureLeonard Foglia will helm the tuner from Iris Rainer Dart ("Beaches") about a Holocaust survivor. Rainer Dart has written both the book and lyrics. Mike Stoller and Artie Butler have written the music.

The People In The Picture begins previews at the American Airlines Theatre on April 1, 2011, and then opens on April 28. The limited run will conclude June 19. Click here for my SOB Preview.

 
The House Of Blue Leaves (Walter Kerr Theatre)

Starry revival of John Guare's The House Of Blue Leaves will star Ben Stiller (his only other Broadway credit was in the original 1986 production), Edie Falco and Jennifer Jason Leigh. David Cromer will direct.

Previews for what I expect will be a limited run will begin April 4, 2010, with opening night set for April 25.


 
So, dear readers, which of these shows has you most excited?


This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).


In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.

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6 Comments:

At 12 July, 2010, Blogger Dale said...

I'm really curious now about Brief Encounter, I'll have to read more on it and what you said as well. Anything with Cherry Jones gets my vote as well. It's about time I got back to NYC anyway!

 
At 13 July, 2010, Blogger Steve On Broadway (SOB) said...

Dale, I LOVED Brief Encounter - best show I saw all last year anywhere.

 
At 13 July, 2010, Blogger JK said...

"Confirmed" though they may be, I still have Love Never Dies and Spider-Man on my "I'll Believe It When I'm Sitting In the Theatre, Playbill In Hand" column!

Jeff

 
At 13 July, 2010, Blogger Steve On Broadway (SOB) said...

JK, You and many, many others. That's why I provided a disclaimer at the top.

However, half the battle is having a venue lined up and both have them in hand. For now.

 
At 04 August, 2010, Blogger Danny Gerstein said...

Vanessa Redgrave period.

 
At 02 October, 2010, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Having seen them in London, I can confirm that both Brief Encounter and War Horse are innovative and brilliant and deserve to succeed. Priscilla is as close to a guaranteed hit as you'll get, particularly with the amazing Tony Sheldon on board.
Bur the show I'll be keenest to see is Catch Me If You Can- I completely love the film and with its Hairspray connections it ticks all my boxes :-)

 

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