Must See On/Off Broadway Shows This Spring
Musicals are enchanting, and with 2015’s mega-hit Hamilton, interest has peaked on the age-old art form. From the off-Broadway feature Latin History for Morons, to the abruptly closed In Transit, this has been a season to remember. Read on for this spring’s must-see Broadway shows.
Don’t forget to grab a bite on the way to any of these great performances. AVA Social offers a show-stopping menu that’ll leave you begging for an encore. Luckily, Spyglass will open after your show for the perfect nightcap.
Dear Evan Hansen
Parenting has never been easy. But now, social media makes the task even tougher. Teens often have two “selves” one physical, the other digital. It’s these dynamics that “Dear Evan Hansen” digs into so deeply. Ben Platt (of Pitch Perfect fame) stars as Evan Hansen, a socially awkward and self-loathing teen. Who eventually, through dubious means, leaves it all behind. The experience has been described as cathartic and heart-wrenching. An especially poignant performance for parents, but a must see for anyone reading this list. Don’t plan on leaving with dry eyes.
Hello, Dolly!
A well-loved musical, “Hello, Dolly!” tells the story of an outspoken matchmaker and her attempts to marry “half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder. Known for its irresistible score, humor, and wit, the original production debuted in 1964. Back for its third run on Broadway, this iteration brings the famed and talented Bette Midler to the stage as Dolly. Midler’s vast experience is just the injection of spunk this revival needed to bring it into the 21st century. The show might not be new, but expect a take on this classic that’s sure to steal the show.
Chicago
The longest-running American musical in Broadway history, “Chicago” follows the shenanigans of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly as they try to finagle their way out of trouble with the law. Both accused of killing their significant other, the ladies sing, dance and schmooze the prison warden, the high-powered lawyer, the newspaper reporters — anyone who’ll listen to them. The incomparable choreographer Bob Fosse and lyricist Fred Ebb wrote the musical as a “universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz” that gives the audience the old razzle dazzle.
