Broadway Spring 2020 Preview - The Musicals

Check out our guide to the nine new musical productions opening on the Great White Way this spring...

As temperatures in the Big Apple slowly but surely begin to rise, the Broadway season itself is undoubtedly heating up this spring with no less than nine new musicals and revivals officially opening in New York City. As ever, Broadway has struck just the right balance of new offerings, catering to the widest range of tastes, so, once again, we're more than confident that there will be something for everyone this spring. From ground-breaking revivals and popular film-to-stage adaptations to original and imaginitive new works, 'eclectic' is the name of the game in the coming months... heck, you might even find yourselves in the company of the six ex-wives of Henry VIII channeling their inner Pussycat Dolls in a theatrical concert event like no other!

So, here's our comprehensive guide to spring 2020 for all you musical lovers out there...

West Side Story

"Something's coming, something good..." The first official opening of the spring is perhaps the most revolutionary of the new shows thanks to Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Hove. Of course, we're talking about his uber-modern (and reportedly violent) new take on the classic 1957 Bernstein/Laurents/Sondheim musical West Side Story. Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, the tuner is a tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers, Tony (Isaac Powell) and Maria (Shereen Pimentel), and includes standards such as "Tonight," "I Feel Pretty," and "Somewhere," among others. Ever since the production began previews in mid-December, it has been playing to packed houses at the Broadway Theatre and with Stephen Spielberg's brand new film remake being released this coming December, 2020 may well be the unstoppable year of West Side Story! Opening Night is set for February 20.

West Side Story Tickets are available now for performances through September 6, 2020.

Company

Even more Sondheim, anyone? "We'll drink to that!" Another exciting fresh take on a Sondheim classic crosses the pond this spring, following a 4-time Olivier Award-winning West End premiere. Broadway stalwarts have no doubt been rejoicing at the fact that the legendary Patti LuPone is set to reprise her own Olivier Award-winning performance as Joanne on the Great White Way, but equally intriguing is the fact that two-time Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliott (with the official blessing of Sondheim himself) has gender-swapped a handful of the roles for this new interpretation of the 1970 tuner. 'Bobby' becomes 'Bobbie' as the lead male character is switched to a lead female character in this musical comedy about being single in the city, surrounded by coupled-up close friends. And it's down to Katrina Lenk, the Tony Award-winning star of The Band's Visit, to bring Bobbie to life for New York audiences. "Phone rings, Door chimes, In comes company..." to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre from March 2, 2020, ahead of an official opening on March 22.

Company Tickets are available now for performances from March 2 through September 27, 2020.

Mrs. Doubtfire

"Help is on the way, Dears!" And everyone's favorite Scottish nanny is also on her way this spring. Yes, the Broadway premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire begins performances at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on March 9, on the heels of its pre-Broadway tryout in Seattle. Based on the beloved 1993 film (and Anne Fine's 1987 novel), the musical adaptation follows actor Daniel Hillard who, following a divorce and restricted visitation rights, resorts to desperate measures and disguises himself as an ageing Scottish lady to spend more time with his children as their nanny. Immortalised on the silver screen by the late great Robin Williams, Tony Award nominee Rob McClure has stepped up to the challenge of re-imagining the titular character for the stage and he's certainly in good hands as Mrs. Doubtfire boasts the same writing team as the hilarious Broadway musical Something Rotten! An Opening Night is set for April 5.

Mrs. Doubtfire Tickets are available now for performances from March 9 through September 13, 2020.

SIX

Divorced... Beheaded... on Broadway! From humble beginnings at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 to receiving five Olivier Award nominations in 2019, the UK's musical phenomenon known as SIX continues its quest for global domination by beginning performances at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 13, ahead of an official opening on March 12. Taking the form of a modern girl group concert, the members of SIX are all ex-wives of the tryannical British monarch, Henry VIII, but who should be the band's lead singer? Perhaps it should be the one who received the roughest treatment from their mutual ex? Each 'queen' gives her own testimony through songs that wouldn't seem out of place on a record by the likes of Beyoncé, Adele, Britney Spears, or even Nicki Minaj, creating the most fabulously theatrical history lesson since Hamilton.

SIX Tickets are available now for performances from February 13, 2020 through January 3, 2021.

Girl from the North Country

Here's one for the "Forever Young" among you and previews begin tonight! Fans of music legend Bob Dylan can rejoice because the 2017 musical Girl from the North Country finally celebrates its Broadway premiere at the Belasco Theatre this spring. Featuring an original story by Conor McPherson, which weaves some of the icon's greatest hits into its narrative, Girl from the North Country takes place in a guesthouse in Duluth, Minnesota (Dylan's hometown, no less) in 1934 in the midst of The Great Depression. Featuring a talented ensemble cast (including many actor-musicians who play instruments from the 30s era live on stage), this unique, period 'jukebox' musical showcases such classics as "Hurricane," "Like a Rolling Stone," and "Make You Feel My Love," to name just a few. An Opening Night is set for March 5.

Girl from the North Country Tickets are available now for performances from February 7 through September 27, 2020.

Diana

From the writers of the Tony Award-winning 'Best Musical' Memphis, Joe DiPietro and David Bryan (of 'Bon Jovi' fame), comes a new musical about the dearly missed Princess of Wales, Diana. Focusing on the well-documented love triangle between Prince Charles (Roe Hartrampf), Diana (Jeanna de Waal) and Camilla Parker Bowles (Erin Davie), as well as the titular character's stuggles with the British tabloid press and Queen Elizabeth II herself (played by two-time Tony Award-winner Judy Kaye), Diana might well be the perfect afternoon or evening out for those who've always been fascinated by the British royal family and their unceasing trials and tribulations. Performances begin at the Longacre Theatre on March 2, ahead of an official opening on March 31.

Diana Tickets are available now for performances from March 2 through November 22, 2020.

Flying Over Sunset

Next on our list as entirely original musical, and a world premiere to boot, that revolves around the hallucinogenic drug known as LSD. Lincoln Center Theater presents Flying Over Sunset, which centers around a fictional meeting between three extraordinary people, who all testified to using LSD during their lives, all whilst under the influence of the drug. Portraying these three individuals are three triple threat Tony Award nominees: Harry Hadden-Paton plays writer Aldous Huxley; Carmen Cusack brings us playwright, diplomat, and congresswoman, Clare Boothe Luce; and Tony Yazbeck brings Hollywood legend Cary Grant back to life on the Broadway stage. The creative team features writers and composers that brought us the likes of Falsettos, Next to Normal, and Grey Gardens, so expectations for this new, intriguing work are justifiably high. Performances begin at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on March 12, with an official opening set for April 16.

Flying Over Sunset Tickets are available now for performances from March 12 through June 28, 2020.

Caroline, or Change

Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway musical offering this season is an acclaimed revival of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's 6-time Tony-nominated tuner Caroline, or Change. This new production began its life in the UK in 2017 and would eventually land in the West End with its star, Sharon D. Clarke, going on to scoop the 2019 Olivier Award for 'Best Actress in a Musical.' She triumphed over stiff competition from the likes of Kelli O'Hara (The King and I), Rosalie Craig (Company), and Adrienne Warren (Tina), and makes her long-overdue Broadway debut when she transfers with the production to the iconic Studio 54 this spring. The musical, set in 1963 Louisiana, follows an African-American maid called Caroline, who discovers that the smallest of changes can make the largest of ripples. Previews begin on March 13, ahead of an official opening on April 7.

Caroline, or Change Tickets are available now for performances from March 13 through June 28, 2020.

Sing Street

Last but not least is the final addition to the 2019-2020 Broadway season, Sing Street, which was a late entry, fresh from its world premiere at New York Theatre Workshop this past winter. Based on the 2016 indie film by John Carney, the production now transfers to the Lyceum Theatre, where performances begin on March 26, ahead of an official opening on April 19. Set in Dublin in 1985 with a new wave-infused score to reflect the era, the musical follows teenager Connor who forms a band with his schoolmates to distract himself from troubles at home and to attract the attentions of a mysterious girl. With a book by Enda Walsh, who previously adapted Carney's 2007 indie film "Once" into a 2012 Tony Award-winning 'Best Musical,' let's see if lightning can strike twice for this fruitful Irish partnership.

Sing Street Tickets are available now for performances from March 26 through November 8, 2020.

Check out our guide to the nine new plays and revivals on the Great White Way this spring here...