Details: More information can be found at https://www.anastasiabroadway.com/ and http://www.playbill.com/production/anastasia-broadhurst-theatre-2016-2017
Score: 7.5/10
Anastasia is one of the most Disney stories I’ve ever seen that was not made by Disney. This musical is based on the animated movie of the same name. However, there have been changes made to the story and new songs have been added. I’ve never seen the movie, but I did enjoy the musical.
Details: More information can be found at https://thebandsvisitmusical.com/ and http://www.playbill.com/production/the-bands-visit-ethel-barrymore-theatre-2017-2018
Score: 7.4/10
The Band’s Visit is a slow burn. It’s a slow paced story with few if any big bursts of energy. However, The Band’s Visit offers something new and different from other shows out right now. It’s no wonder then that it won the Tony Award for best musical this year since all of the competing candidates were big name franchises that fell into the stereotypical tourist friendly musical which does not explore the human condition the way The Band’s Visit did.
Details: More information can be found at http://www.playbill.com/production/catch-me-if-you-can-neil-simon-theatre-vault-0000013717
Score: 6.8/10
Catch Me If You Can is a big band show with big song and dance numbers. It’s based of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie of the same name and mostly follows the same story beats.
Details: More information can be found at http://www.playbill.com/production/jesus-christ-superstar-neil-simon-theatre-vault-0000013824
Score: 7/10
A musical is a show where there is dialogue and occasionally the characters break into song. An opera is when there is almost no talking and all singing. Jesus Christ Superstar is likely more an opera than a musical. Originally performed in the 1970’s, Jesus Christ Superstar has been revived a number of times. Despite its age, this show is still entertaining even though the story is predictable since it retells a religious narrative most people in America are very familiar with.
Details: More information can be found at https://www.broadway.com/shows/spider-man-turn-off-the-dark/
Score: 5.4/10
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is a notorious musical, plagued by injuries, delays, and other hurdles. The result was a deeply flawed show that some seemed to enjoy. Even after the reboot, Turn Off the Dark is still kind of flat. It’s unsurprising then that various articles state the investors in this show mostly lost their money.
