By the end of next month, 3 Broadways shows that opened during the 2016-17 season, will have closed. 2 of these shows, Groundhog Day and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812″ received Best Musical Tony nominations, and the outlier, Bandstand, received the Tony Award for Best Choreography. Here’s a rundown of the 3 shows closing next month, and where you can listen to them even after the stage lights dim.
This riveting show, based on a section of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, debuted 4 years ago at Ars Nova and opened on Broadway last November. Written by Dave Malloy, this musical combines Russian folk, indie rock, and classical music, to create what has been dubbed by fans as ‘an electro-pop opera’. While that description might throw you, don’t let it. The combination of music types work and works well. Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is the only Broadway show to have a nongendered ensemble track, meaning female swings can go on for male roles and vice-versa. Another thing that makes so great is the way the show is put on. The Imperial Theatre was completely renovated for the show, the set made to resemble a Russian dinner club. Ticket options include seats at on stage tables, and no matter where you sit you’re almost guaranteed some form of audience interaction. The Orginal Broadway Cast Recording is streaming on Apple Music and Spotify. The show will have its last performance on September 3rd.
Based off the Bill Murray movie with the same name, this musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin came to Broadway after a successful run on the West End in London. Law and Order SVU’s Andy Karl stars as Phil Connors, an arrogant reporter who finds himself stuck in a time loop, where he’s forced to relive Groundhog Day over and over again. Bill Murray, the original Phil Connors, saw the show earlier this month and loved it so much he saw it again the next day. One number from the show ‘If I Had My Time Again’ features Phill and Rita discussing what they would do if they could have a do-over of their day, and on a bigger scale, their life. In Phil’s case, he has. Rita has a different view as someone who hasn’t ,and is relatable to those of us who wish we would go back and do things differently. The cast of Groundhog Day will take their final Broadway bow on September 17th. The Original Broadway Cast Recording can be streamed on Apple Music and Spotify.
3. Bandstand
Bandstand, one of the most patriotic musicals on Broadway right now, takes place after World War II. The show follows a group of veterans who form a band to compete in a radio contest. If they win the constant, they’ll receive instant fame, and by performing together they are able to escape from their issues brought on by the war, issues ranging from PTSD to survivors guilt. Partway through the show singer and gold star wife Julia Trojan joins the band, adding a romance layer to the story Bandstand is the first theatre production in history to earn a ‘6 Certified’ status from Got Your 6, “an honor awarded when a production hires or consults with veterans as part of their efforts to portray military life, or meets other criteria set by the nonprofit.” The cast will take their final Broadway bow on September 17th. The Original Broadway Cast Recording can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.
