By Jeanne Lieberman

 

Here’s a look at some of next season’s contenders

 

New Musicals

With Hamilton safely tucked away, crowned and anointed,

here are some shows that will be scrambling to take its place

 

 

The beloved Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce will be adding their considerable charisma to a much anticipated revival of Hello, Dolly! taking the coveted last date to open (for the Tony’s the last place usually finishes first since voters have short mempries)  Opens TBA

 

The off-Broadway award winning musical Dear Evan Hansen will move to

Broadway in November, keeping its ”hit” star Ben Platt, as a lonely teen who becomes involved in a family tragedy. Opens TBA

 

Since kids are taking over Broadway, here are more diversions for mom and dad to pay for; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Veteran team:  Director Sam Mendes (Oliver!, Shrek), composers Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), designer Mark Thompson (Mamma Mia!, One Man, Two Guvnors) and choreographer Peter Darling (Matilda, Billy Elliot) have each contributed their special gifts.  Opens TBA

 

And Anastasia, not the magnificent Yul Brynner/Ingrid Bergman classic, but the 1987 Disney version, has enlisted the winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime) reunited with Terence McNally (book) based on the 1997 animated movie about the (allegedly) last surviving member of the Romanov family. Darko Tesniak, who staged the Tony winner A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, will direct. Opens TBA

 

A sly, satirical SpongeBob, the Musical is on its way. At $20 million it has to be good.  The storyline is entirely new — and its score comes from a disparate group of artists, including John Legend, T.I., Panic! at the Disco, and the late David Bowie.

Opens Spring 17

 

Gotta Dance is a new musical based on a 2008 Dori Berinstein documentary about the New Jersey Nets’ hip-hop dance team made up of senior citizens. The documentary followed the neophyte team of 12 women and one man from auditions through their public performance. The new musical will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the director of Kinky Boots.

Opens TBA

Josh Groban will test himself on Broadway in the successful off Bway hit Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, a musical adaptation of War and Peace. In addition to Groban and Denee Benton, the cast will include Brittain Ashford as Sonya, Gelsey Bell as Princess Mary, Nick Choksi as Dolokhov, Amber Gray as Helene, Grace McLean as Marya D and Paul Pinto as Balaga. Directed by Rachel Chavkin and featuring a book and electropop score by Dave Malloy, Opens Oct 16

 

Chazz Palminteri’s hit one man show A Bronx Tale has been transformed into a musical with revered Robert De Niro (in his directorial debut)/Jerry Zaks as directors, composer Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast,  Aladdin) and lyricist Glenn Slater (School of Rock). Opens TBA

Singin’ In The Rain 
Dancing With the Stars favorite Derek Hough will play song-and-dance man Don Lockwood in a new stage adaptation of the classic MGM film. Opens TBA

And “new” Revivals:

Has it really been 16 years since Cats (Now and Forever) is likely to be forever again after its 7485 performance original run), all dressed up with  some new songs by the ever versatile Andrew Lloyd Webber. Opens 8/2

Falsettos, the William Finn/James Lapine classic about a coming of age boy’s struggle for identity in a non traditional family.  Opens 10/27

Motown, the Musical which has been coming and going is coming again! July 12w for another limited run. Get this musical a home! Opens 7/12

 

Miss Saigon , the still (unfortunately) relevant musical will again enrapture and shock us after a hugely successful run in UK. Opens TBA