Well, Nederlander Group A gave me a lot to think about and consider. I can’t wait to see what Shubert Group A gives me.
So without further ado, let’s start evaluating the shows!
Spring Awakening v. The Wedding Singer
Spring Awakening: I saw the original Broadway cast – which means I did get to see Skylar Astin on Broadway too! It’s certainly one of the darker musicals I’ve seen, tackling such topics as incest and rape, abortion, suicide, etc. Like there are a lot of warnings that need to proceed recommending this musical. But it’s still very good and with some beautiful music. And it still manages to end with something of a hopeful note, so kudos to it.
The Wedding Singer: I pretty much covered this in the wild card round. But this is such a stark contrast to Spring Awakening, a lighter musical with a definite happy ending. Will that be enough to move on?
Winner: It seems that this time, edgy edges out the hopeful. I’m going to have to give it to Spring Awakening.
Aladdin v. Cinderella
Cinderella: I finally got to see Laura Osnes on Broadway! And she was perfect as Ella, a young woman who goes to a ball and decides to use her special connection with the prince to advocate for change in the kingdom. The effects were amazing and the quick costume changes were like magic. My only quibble is that the “bad” guy kinda got off scot-free but all in all, a very “lovely” night on Broadway.
Winner: This is tough because I though I would go one way until I wrote everything out and then I leant the other way. So I’m going to have to go with the new feeling and say Aladdin wins!
The Pirate Queen v. Little Women
The Pirate Queen: Honestly, this was one of the first musicals I remember social media campaigns made me excited to see. They had podcasts and vlogs detailing their journey to Broadway, starting with their out-of-town try out in Chicago. I fell in love with the music that I heard and was drawn in by the cast who I felt I got to know on a different level than usual, especially Stephanie J. Block and Hadley Fraser. I’m still bummed this show didn’t last longer and I do feel Block was cheated out of a Tony nom for her role as Grace O’Malley. And I still hold that “If I Said I Loved You” is one of the best Broadway love duets in a long time.
Little Women: Another musical that closed before its time. I love the story of Little Women and when it announced a closing date, I rushed to get tickets. My mother wasn’t available to come with me but my dad did, though he wasn’t thrilled. By the intermission, he absolutely loved the musical and was confused about why it was closing. The March sisters have captivated the world since the book was first published and in many different forms of media. While they didn’t last long on Broadway, I do encourage you to find the original cast recording. The music is absolutely gorgeous and everyone is amazing, especially Sutton Foster as Jo and Megan McGinnis as Beth.
Winner: This was a tough battle between two musicals that closed too quickly and were never really given a chance. But in the end, I’m going to give it to The Pirate Queen.
Newsies v. Avenue Q
Newsies: Back when the movie Newsies first came out, it was considered a pricey flop for Disney. A movie musical about a bunch of Newsies going on strike at the turn of the 20th century? But then something happened – it became a cult classic as millennials grew up adoring the music. And apparently Disney was constantly asked when they would turn Newsies into a musical. So they took a chance and created one they planned to have a short run at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey and then get licensed out for schools. The plot of movie was rehabbed and a stronger female protagonist/love interest was created. Alan Menken and Glenn Slater flushed out the score and the songs. And they created something that transcended the source material and became a bona fide Broadway hit. I enjoyed every second of the musical. And if you see nothing else, at least watch its Tony performance to enjoy Christopher Gatelli’s Tony-winning choreography. It’s absolutely stunning.
Avenue Q: Who knew a musical that featured puppets dealing with real life and being raunchy would be so successful and even win the Tony Award (in a major upset as Wicked was the favorite to win that year)? But audiences connected with the denizens of Avenue Q as they navigated the less-than-glamorous life and struggled with things all of us could relate to – jobs, money, relationships, sex, struggling to find a purpose, etc. It’s hard to believe this musical is almost twenty years old as well and looking back, there are probably some now cringe moments (would “Everybody is a Little Bit Racist” fly now? Yes, it acknowledges that we all have internalized biases but then seems to say it’s okay to have them) but it does (mostly) stand the test of time. And it taught us a very important lesson – the internet is for porn.
Winner: I think I have to give this one to Newsies, just because I think it might stand the test of time better.
Slowly but surely I’m narrowing down the musicals and will soon come up with my favorite. It’s sad to see The Wedding Singer, Cinderella, Little Women and Avenue Q leave the competition but I look forward to seeing how far Spring Awakening, Aladdin, The Pirate Queen and Newsies make it now.
Do you agree or disagree with my decisions for this group? Let me know in the comments below!
Next time: Group B of the Nederlander Conference finds out their fate!
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