The Lion King - New York

By Mark A. Robinson 

September is here! Falling back into our routines after a summer of vacationing and sunbathing casts a grey cloud over our spirits while foreshadowing the crisp, cooler weather that comes with the new season. This doesn’t mean we cannot find a little time for escapist fun, and the theater is the perfect place to keep our hearts and minds alive with excitement. Say hello to September with these top Broadway offerings. 
 
The Lion King 
A trip to the African Savannah comes complete with an infectious score, high adventure, astonishing special effects, and beloved characters in the Disney stage adaptation of the animated classic The Lion King. The young lion cub Simba, heir apparent to the throne of the Pride Lands, must learn to be a courageous ruler when his unscrupulous uncle tries to usurp the title of “Lion King.” This family-targeted production brims with color, spectacle, and some of the most awe-inspiring puppetry ever utilized in musical theatre. You will never forget this trip to the Minskoff Theatre where an entire menagerie comes to life before your very eyes!  

Sweeney Todd 
What starts out as a bone chilling musical of gothic horror proportions evolves into an evening of devastating tragedy with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The title character, a barber who is wrongly imprisoned by a corrupt judge, returns from his incarceration to exact revenge on the unscrupulous magistrate who rendered the sentence. With the help of a scheming pie maker, Sweeney turns murder into an art form in this Stephen Sondheim masterpiece about social injustice. Starring Tony and Grammy-nominated multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban as the title character, this show is not to be missed. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 
The world of Harry Potter, The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the parade of beloved characters that inhabit J.K. Rowling’s series of novels continue their magical life in the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Picking up where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows concludes, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child follows Albus Severus Potter (Harry’s offspring) on his adventures at Hogwarts. He and his classmate Scorpius Malfoy soon find themselves embroiled in a complicated mess when they try to alter history with the aid of a time turner.  

Some Like It Hot 
Things aren’t always what they seem, and the new musical Some Like It Hot insists that that is just fine. When two male musicians witness a terrible crime, they become afraid for their own lives. They disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band to remain incognito. In the process, they begin to realize that being a woman isn’t exactly easy, especially where romance is concerned, and the easiest path to love is to be your true self. Some Like It Hot is a farcical musical comedy with a delightful, jazz-inspired score by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman (the composer-lyricist team that brought us Hairspray).  

The Shark is Broken 
The making of the 1975 film classic Jaws did not happen without a litany of challenges. Filmmaker Stephen Spielberg was plagued by setbacks, particularly in the form of a mechanical representation of the titular monster that refused to work correctly. In the comedic play The Shark is Broken by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, we witness the film’s stars Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Schneider as they must endure the arduous task of making the film while trying to keep their egos in check. The Shark is Broken is a hilarious exploration of the ins and outs of Hollywood magic (and how that magic comes at a price).  

The Play That Goes Wrong 
Anyone who has participated in a theatre production knows that the road to opening night is a minefield of things that will undoubtedly go awry. From technology issues to human error, there are just too many factors that can create a recipe for disaster. In The Play That Goes Wrong, playwrights Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields imagine the worst. The result is a side-splitting comedy that delights audiences as they witness, first hand, the myriad complications that befall the fictional Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they attempt a production of The Murder at Haversham Manor. 

By Mark A. Robinson 
 
Everyone loves committing to a theme, whether it be an art installation, a favorite movie or TV genre, or best of all - a themed party or event. If you find yourself in the Big Apple for the weekend with 48 hours to pack in some theater-going, why not make it a themed weekend? To make it easier to “commit to the bit,” we have curated some possible Broadway themes that will make your Broadway-filled weekend an exciting adventure. 

You and the Zoo: The Lion King, Life of Pi and Wicked 
The Lion King and  Life of Pi make a great two-show-day pairing. Both shows have animals central to the plot, both shows have riveting twists, and both shows boast jaw-dropping puppetry that can make you forget that you are not witnessing living, breathing members of the animal kingdom running wild on stage. You can see The Lion King on Saturdays at 2 pm, followed by Life of Pi at 8:00 pm. In between, take a quick jaunt over to the Central Park Zoo and see some real-life animals. On Sunday, your animal kingdom sojourn can continue with Wicked (2:00 or 8:00 pm) where flying monkeys, talking goats, cowardly lions and other crazy creatures come together to support the origin story of the two Witches of Oz.  
 
Royal Engagement: Once Upon a One More Time, SIX and Camelot  
We all have our fascination with royalty, and why not? We love castles, crowns, elegance and power. You’ll begin with a two-show Saturday that is indeed a royal engagement. Catch a 2:00 pm matinee of Once Upon a One More Time, where your favorite storybook heroines create a brand-new kind of fairytale, all to the music of Britney Spears, the Princess of Pop. Then top off your day with an 8:00 pm showing of SIX, where the half-dozen wives of Henry VIII have their say. On Sunday, take in the Royal Tea at the Russian Tea Room before you return to the royal court, this time with Camelot at Lincoln Center Theatre (3:00 pm) and witness firsthand the rise and fall of an idealistic, mythical kingdom.  
 
Get A Life! Bio Musical Must-Sees: MJ, A Beautiful Noise and Funny Girl 
If you’re interested in learning about some of the 20th century’s great entertainers, spend your weekend taking in musical biographies. Start out with a 2:00 pm Saturday matinee of MJ and find out how Michael Jackson became the “King of Pop.” At night, Neil Diamond’s epic career will entertain with a catalogue of his song standards in A Beautiful Noise (8:00 pm). For a more traditional Broadway score, spend Sunday at Funny Girl,(times vary by date) and get a dose of heart and humor as you navigate the life of stage and screen comedienne Fanny Brice.  
 
The Good, The Bad, and The In-Between: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Chicago and Hadestown 
For those of you who like some variety in your theatergoing weekend, why not try out our itinerary for "The Good, The Bad and The In-Between." Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Saturdays at 1:00 pm) makes for a “good” Saturday matinee choice, with its story of young wizards trying to right the wrongs of evil doings in the wizarding world. The “bad” is, of course, Chicago (Saturdays at 8:00 pm), a show populated with murderesses, corrupt law officials, slick lawyers and aspiring actresses who will stop at nothing to make it to the top. Finally, the “in-between” is Hadestown (Sundays- matinee times vary) a musical where characters in love must go to hell and back to be together. 

By Mark A. Robinson 
 
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s time to celebrate the dads in our lives. Everyone knows that fathers are notoriously difficult to buy for and even the most fashion-conscious dad doesn’t want another necktie to add to his collection. Fortunately, Broadway offers worthwhile alternatives with many opportunities to create a memorable Father’s Day outing. Here is a list of the perfect Broadway show for every type of dad!  

The New Dad –  The Lion King 

What Broadway musical is perfect for that new dad, the one who is just learning the ins and outs of parenthood? Disney’s The Lion King is the ideal show for this scenario. From proud Mufasa’s first public presentation of the lion cub Simba to his firm but loving conversations with his offspring, this parent is killing it at the “new dad” thing. Even after sacrificing his life while saving his little boy in a wildebeest stampede, his presence remains, offering the young feline advice on growing up.  

The Down Home Dad –  Shucked   

Hilarious one-liners and a score overflowing with country music-inspired ear worms all add up to make Shucked the terrific choice for those dads who live for down home fun. They’ll feel right at home watching this delightful comedy about a small town with suffering corn crops and the spunky young woman who goes on an adventure to look for the solution.  

The History Buff Dad –  Leopoldstadt  

If dad is a history buff, you get bonus points for taking him to something that is equally compelling and historically significant. Tom Stoppard’s play Leopoldstadt has all these ingredients. The story follows a Jewish family in Austria over a 50-year span, concluding in the harrowing days of World War II. Your father will marvel at the play’s myriad characters expertly brought to life in a play by one of the world’s most-prolific and enduring playwrights.  

The Dad with the Crazy Sense of Humor –  The Book of Mormon 

Everyone knows that one dad with a wild sense of humor. He makes goofy jokes while mom rolls her eyes, and he is always trying to make his kids laugh. This dad deserves a night out at The Book of Mormon. Written by the creators of the wildly funny South Park, Dad will enjoy a musical that will tickle his funny bone with comedy that is expertly done. 

The Tired Dad –  SIX   

Some dads are just exhausted, working all day, mowing the lawn, then tucking their kids in at night before taking out the garbage. For these dads, they need a night out that’s sure to energize and inspire. SIX is guaranteed to give them that jolt of energy, with its half-dozen powerhouse ladies belting about what it was like to be married to a challenging husband (Henry VIII). At a running time of approximately 80 minutes, dad can get his Broadway fix but also be home and in bed by the ten o’clock news.  

The Protective Dad –  Sweeney Todd 

Some of us grew up with that overprotective dad; the one who would kill for us if necessary. That’s what the title character does in the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. In order to protect his daughter Johanna from the lecherous advances of Judge Turpin, Todd (played by Grammy Award winner Josh Groban) concocts a plot for murder that takes a heart stopping journey filled with twists and turns. 

By Mark A. Robinson 
 
With Broadway’s biggest night upon us and the Tony Awards about to be distributed, it is exciting to celebrate the best of the Great White Way. Many Broadway musicals have been around for years (even decades) and now is the perfect time to take a closer look at some shows currently running on Broadway that are still sharing their Tony Award-winning magic!  
 
Moulin Rouge! The Musical – Best Musical, 2020 

Packed to the hilt with iconic songs spanning 80 years, adapted for the stage from an Oscar-winning film, and boasting a tragic love story to end all love stories, Moulin Rouge took home the 2020 Tony Award for Best Musical. Christian and Satine are star-crossed lovers kept apart by her engagement to a jealous and vengeful Duke. The jukebox musical also received Tony Awards for its seamless direction by Alex Timbers and its sparkling choreography by Sonya Tayeh.  

Hadestown – Best Musical, 2019 

The 2019 winner for Best Musical was Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown, also taking home trophies for Best Score (Anaïs Mitchell) and Best Direction (Rachel Chavkin). In a dystopian, not-too-distant future, we see the myth of “Orpheus and Eurydice” unfold before us with a score that expertly combines jazz, blues, and pop music to tell a romance that literally takes its lovers to hell and back.  

Hamilton – Best Musical, 2016 

“You’ll be back” taunts King George in the Tony-winning musical of 2016 – Hamilton. Let’s face it, he’s right. You can never get too much of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s reimagining of American history. The season’s juggernaut walked away with 11 Tony Awards in total, including Best Original Score, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Orchestrations. Top that!  

The Book of Mormon – Best Musical, 2011 

Not only is The Book of Mormon one of the funniest musicals to grace the Great White Way, but it is also a multi-winner of the coveted Tony Award. The show, about two Mormon missionaries spreading their religion around the remote recesses of Africa, is an irreverent night of hilarity that just happened to win Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Featured Actress, Best Score, Best Book, Best Direction, Best Scenic Design and Best Orchestrations.  

The Lion King – Best Musical, 1998 

When a musical runs for 25 years and continues to draw huge audiences, it must be doing something right. The Lion King, adapted from the Disney animated film, brims with wondrous special effects, breathtaking puppetry, infectious songs, and beloved characters. Guided to the stage by the ingenious Julie Taymor, the coming of age story of a young lion cub leapt off the screen and into our hearts as a fully-realized Broadway musical that’s a perfect night out for everyone.  

Chicago – Best Revival of a Musical, 1997 

Currently Broadway’s longest-running musical still on the boards, the 1997 revival of the Kander and Ebb musical Chicago is still as sassy and potent as ever. Besides winning a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Chicago garnered trophies for its two leads: Bebe Neuwirth and James Naughton, she as that ruthless vaudevillian-turned-murderess Velma Kelly and he as the unscrupulous lawyer Billy Flynn. It was the second Tony for both – Neuwirth won for a 1986 revival of Sweet Charity and Naughton for the 1989 musical City of Angels. 

MJ – Myles Frost, Best Actor in a Musical, 2022 

Who could take on the role of Michael Jackson and give a performance so believable that audiences were sure they were in the presence of that iconic “King of Pop”? Myles Frost dazzled us with his embodiment of the musician-dancer who ignited the music scene with such hits as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Thriller” and dozens of others. Of course, Frost brought home the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance.  

Wicked – Idina Menzel, Best Actress in a Musical, 2004 

Idina Menzel first burst upon our radar in 1996 with her Tony-nominated performance as the rebellious Maureen in the musical Rent. It was, however, as Elphaba in the musical sensation Wicked in 2003 that this actress (with a thunderous voice and piercing eyes) brought home a Tony Award. Playing the misunderstood Elphaba, whose empowered, progressive views painted her as wicked, Menzel gave an indelible turn that demanded we all “defy gravity.”