It’s a familiar sight on Facebook.
Lush red velvet seats poke out from behind the thin white pages of a Playbill. A hand with newly painted nails grabs onto the side of the program, just below big block letters announcing the title of that night’s feature presentation.
That’s right. It’s Broadway season.
“Elements of Broadway shows I really enjoy are the costumes and how talented the actresses and actors are that are in the productions,” Joe Blaikie ’17 said.
Broadway.com has over 160 pages of show listings. So which to attend?
The classic
Phantom of the Opera is old Broadway. The audience is easily lured into the world of the Phantom as Steam drifts across the stage, obscuring the floor and, at times, the actors themselves.
“The music is amazing, the actors in it are amazing, the direction and the choreography is amazing as well, there isn’t anything not to love,” Emma Ruchefsky ’15 said.
Even if not all of the plot makes sense due to the somewhat confusing operatic soundtrack, the haunting character of the Phantom will hold the attention of any Broadway patron.
The new-ish one
Performed in Studio 54, Cabaret never gets old. Set before World War Two it mixes romance, history and even a little mystery.
“The story behind it is so real…It makes it compelling to watch,” Zoe Samuels ’17 said.
Like Phantom, it has a strange haunting quality as the Cabaret performers lure the audience into their disturbing world using deliberate dance moves and eclectic music.
The meaningful one
Pippin has few spectacular songs, and a fairly unremarkable plot. But unlike other shows that include a very small amount symbolism, metaphors, and complex themes, Pippin relies heavily on these elements. It is really a show that makes you think.
“It incorporates a fantastic score, humor, and incredible acrobatics,” Tia Pogue ’17 said.
If you cannot make it to the bright lights of Broadway this season, check out Staples players production of Hello Dolly either the 21st at 7:30pm or the 22nd at 3:00pm or 7:30pm.
