New York Broadway Tours

06/01/2026

VIVA LA VIE BOHEME! Tickets for RENT’s 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration at the Richard Rodgers Theatre has officially been SOLD OUT!! But there’s exciting news for those who weren’t able to score a ticket or something less pressure with the budget of the Ticket Sales (going to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS), the concert will be LIVESTREAMED!!!

An unlimited amount of $30 livestream tickets are now available via the Broadway Cares website!!!

RENT’s 30th Anniversary Concert will October 26th, 2026 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (home of Hamilton) which will include both the ORIGINAL CAST and band plus special guests!!!

If you’re a diehard RENThead, be sure to also join us for our INSPIRATION OF RENT WALKING TOUR in the East Village. We will take you to the actual places mentioned in the show, filmed on location in the 2005 film, and key places what inspired Jonathan in writing this Tony and Putlizer Prize winning masterpiece.

Who is excited?!

No day but today! We are thrilled to announce that our concert will be livestreamed, allowing fans across the world to tune in for this milestone moment on Monday, October 26.

Public tickets sold out within minutes today, with information on a limited number of special lottery tickets to follow later this summer.

Livestream tickets are $30 and on sale at https://watch.lolst.org/checkout/rent-the-30th-anniversary-concert/purchase

06/01/2026

HERE YE, HERE YE BROADWAY FANS! It's only 6 DAYS till New York's celebration of the Great Bright Way….. The 79th Annual Tony Awards. We at New York Broadway Tours got more showstoppers coming your way on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Are you ready for another fan favorite?!!

At # 6 on our countdown is a true ultimate historical concert. Discover what happens when a group of women form a pop group. However, they all share one key thing in common...... they all married the same man. As a band with their fans, they try to figure who had it worst..... We're talking about...... SIX!!! The show features an original score and book by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.

From the 2021 telecast, Adrianna Hicks as "Catherine of Aragon", Andrea Macasaet (filling in for Andrea Macasaet) as "Anne Boylen", Mallory Maedk (filling in for Abby Mueller) as "Jane Seymour", Brittney Mack as "Anna of Cleves", Samantha Pauly as "Katherine Howard", and Anna Uzele as "Katherine Paar" rock center stage of the Tonys With all falling under the spell of "King Henry VII", here they are performing a medley of the show's opening EX-WIVES and their closing title theme song SIX.

SIX was first conceived as a class assignment by Toby Marlow during his final year of studies at Cambridge University. Despite rocky uncertainties with Lucy Moss, the duo wrote the show while studying for their final exams.

The show originally had its world premiere in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe back in 2017 which it won the attention of numerous industrial producers making it move to London's Arts Theatre. Under the direction of Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage and choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, the original QUEENS consisted of....

Renée Lamb as "Catherine of Aragon",
Christina Modestou as "Anne Boleyn",
Natalie May Paris as "Jane Seymour",
Genesis Lynea as "Anna of Cleves"
Aimie Atkinson as "Katherine Howard",
and
Izuka Hoyle as "Catherine Parr".

A cast album of the London production is already out featuring this lineup. The album itself went on to top the charts.

With the success of the West End run, the show embarked on a UK Tour and thanks to an overwhelming response, the show officially returned to its West End home at London's Arts Theatre where it was playing to still sold-out packed houses every night 8 times a week. When COVID hit, the production was forced to vaccant out of its home. But because the show's following was so great, it was here to stay. It transferred to London's Lyric Theatre and then its current home at the Vaudeville Theatre. This cast was led by....

Jarnéia Richard-Noel as "Catherine of Aragon",
Millie O'Connell as "Anne Boleyn",
Natalie May Paris as "Jane Seymour",
Alexia McIntosh as “Anna of Cleves"
Aimie Atkinson as "Katherine Howard",
and
Maiya Quansah-Breed as "Catherine Parr".

There have been multiple replacement Queens ever since.

SIX was nominated for 5 Olivier Awards in 2019 including BEST NEW MUSICAL and all the original London Queens were nominated as one group for BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL. However, it lost all the categories.

The show also earned a huge following via YouTube. During the musical's curtain call, the QUEENS call the audience out to pull out their phones recording the show's ENCORE curtain call number THE MEGASIX (the medley of each Queen's big song). It caused the show to go even viral around the world.

With the success of the West End production, SIX has already gone on to becoming an international sensation with companies all around the world including....

on 3 Norwegian Cruise Line ships,

in Australia,

on tour across the UK,

and more.

SIX would go on to make its American debut in 2019 in Chicago at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. It's following even skyrocketed higher with plans of bringing the show to the Great Bright Way. Before NYC, SIX also embarked on a mini-Pre-Broadway tryout tour in Cambridge, MA at the American Repertory Theater, in Edmonton, Canada at the Citadel Theatre, and St. Paul, MI at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.

Finally in 2020, SIX arrived on Broadway at its current home at the newly renamed Lene Horne Theatre (formerly the Brooks Atkinson Theatre) where it continues to play to packed houses every night. With its same creative team, the cast was led by....

Adrianna Hicks as "Catherine of Aragon”,
Andrea Macasaeat as "Anne Boylen",
Abby Mueller as "Jane Seymour”,
Brittney Mack as "Anna of Cleves",
Samantha Pauly as "Katherine Howard”,
and
Anna Uzele as “Catherine Parr”.

The Broadway cast since then got multiple replacement QUEENS ever since.

During that same wild year of 2020, the show had completed all its previews performances. However, a dramatic turned happened. In the wee morning hours of the show's official opening night on Broadway, SIX and many Broadway shows, and Theaters all went dark for a year and a half long pause from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Fall of 2021, SIX and many shows started returning and it finally reached its official Opening Night where it earned rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. In addition, the actual Broadway Opening Night was recorded as a live album now available for streaming and downloading. Now, it's currently nominated for a Grammy Award for BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ALBUM

SIX's Broadway success is still flying Royally high!! It's been selling out every night. It also got tons of buzz during Awards season. The show would go on to be nominated for 8 Tony Awards earlier that year of 2021 winning 2 for….

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (for Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow)

and

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL (for Gabriella Slade).

It also won several other awards including a Drama Desk Awards (where all the original Broadway Queens were the recipient for the OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE AWARD) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for OUTSTANDING NEW BROADWAY MUSICAL.

Since then, SIX launched several North American National Touring companies and many ongoing productions worldwide. Still being performed around the world.

In addition, a live filmed proshot of the show is coming!! In the Summer of 2021, the show was recorded at its current London home at the Vaudeville Theatre where they both reunited and will star THE ORIGINAL LONDON QUEENS. It’s been getting a Movie Theater release from Universal Pictures.

SIX is the true love letter celebration to FEMALE EMPOWERMENT!!

Don't these QUEENS rock your world?!



WATCH SIX TONY PERFORMANCE HERE
https://youtu.be/egqqtAo8WSI?si=1dM1qhhC9R-2Rg71

06/01/2026

Fun morning in the BARRIO with our IN THE HEIGHTS WALKING TOUR with our new friends from Ohio. They’re seeing 2 of this year’s Tony nominated shows RAGTIME and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), plus The Lion King!!

05/31/2026

ON THE MARQUEE: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats with a contemporary modernized update CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL has become the hottest party on the Great Bright Way. Now this acclaimed production is now is nominated for 9 Tony Awards consisting of…..

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL,

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Andre De Shields),

BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL (for Rachel Hauck),

BEST COSTUME DESIGN OF A MUSICAL (for Queen Jean),

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL (for Andre Honore),

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL (for Kai Harada),

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (for Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch),

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY (for Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons),

&

BEST ORCHESTRATIONS (for Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder, and Doug Schadt).

Check out the updated front of house billboards outside the show’s home at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre.

That’s not all, due to the overwhelming response, CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL has now been extended through January 18th, 2027. This is a MEMORY not to forget!!

How PUUUURFECT is this?!

05/31/2026

WHAT’S HAPPENING BROADWAY FANS? We are exactly 1 WEEK AWAY from celebrating Broadway’s biggest night of the year…… The 79th Annual Tony Awards. The time has gone so fast as we are getting ready to celebrate the best of the Great Bright Way. We at New York Broadway Tours are continuing to keep our enthusiasm in the air alive with our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. More iconic performances are heading your way. Let’s go!!

At # 7 on our countdown, we travel back in time to New York City in 1959. This show is an ultimate madcap musical comedy centering on a legendary producer and a newbie producer (after many years of accounting) who purposely attempt to put on the Greatest Musical Theater Flop ever in a plot to make more money out of it. This is life of….. THE PRODUCERS!! The show features a score by Mel Brooks along with a book by Brooks and Thomas Meehan. It's based on Brooks' 1968 film of the same name.

From the 2001 telecast, Tony winners Nathan Lane as “Max Bialystock”, Matthew Broderick as “Leo Bloom”, and the full original Broadway cast of Little Old Ladies, Broadway Masterminds, and more perform the musical’s Act 1 finale ALONG CAME BIALY!

THE PRODUCERS was first conceived as a stage musical in 1999. Years following the success of the original 1968 film, Mel Brooks was recommended by David Geffen that he should write a full musical version of his own films. His original collaborator was originally going to be Tony winner Jerry Herman. However, he denied and encouraged Brooks' to do the score himself since he was an amazing songwriter (plus he wrote the film's signature tune SPRINGTIME FOR HI**ER). Along with Brooks doing the score, he hired Thomas Meehan to help expand the story. In addition, husband and wife directing/choreographing duo Mike Ockrent and Susan Stroman came on board as well. However, Ockrent unexpectedly died in 1999 when Stroman continued to take on full leadership and director and choreographer by herself. The musical took 2 years of early development labs.

THE PRODUCERS had its world premiere out-of-town tryout in 2001 in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. It received positive praise and was widely hailed as an instant classic and one of the best pre-Broadway tryouts in theater history. Chicago audiences gave the show standing ovations and roared with laughter. The production's success in Chicago brought the show a super boost up attention in NYC.

A few months later, THE PRODUCERS opened at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

The show was well received and became a commercial box office hit!!

It played for an incredible 7 YEARS playing 33 PREVIEWS and 2,502 REGULAR PERFORMANCES.

Under the direction of Susan Stroman, the cast starred...

Tony winner Nathan Lane (later Henry Goodman, Brad Oscar, Lewis J. Stalden, Tony Danza, John Treacy Egan, & Richard Kind) as "Max Bialystok,

Tony winner Matthew Broderick (later Don Stephenson, Roger Bart, Steven Weber, Hunter Foster, and Alan Ruck) as "Leo Bloom",

Tony winner Cady Huffman (later Sarah Cornell and Angie Schwoer) as "Ulla",

the late Tony winner Gary Beach (later John Treacy Egan, Lee Roy Reams, and Jonathan Freeman) as "Roger De Bris",

Roger Bart (later Brooks Ashmanskas, Sam Harris, Brad Musgrove, and Jai Rodriguez) as "Carmen Ghia",

Brad Oscar (later Jim Borstellmann, John Treacy Egan, Peter Samuel, and Bill Nolte) as "Franz Liepkind",

and more.

The show grossed more than $3.5 million following its opening week. Lines would go all the way around the block for tickets. You could NOT get a ticket to see it. However, when both Lane and Broderick departed, the ticket sales started to go downhill. However, both actors returned to the show in 2004 for a limited 5 month engagement.

THE PRODUCERS was nominated for 15 Tony Awards that very same year and won a record breaking 12 consisting of….

The top honor for BEST MUSICAL,

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Nathan Lane),

BEST FEATURED ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for Gary Beach),

BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Cady Huffman),

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (for Susan Stroman),

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY (for Susan Stroman),

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE (for Mel Brooks),

BEST BOOK OF A MUSICAL (for Thomas Meehan and Mel Brooks),

BEST ORCHESTRATIONS (for Doug Besterman),

BEST SCENIC DESIGNER (for Robin Wagner),

BEST COSTUME DESIGN (for William Ivey Long),

&

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN (for Peter Kaczorowski).

The show also won glory at the Drama Desk Awards, the Drama Critics Circle Award, and its cast album also won the Grammy for BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM.

Following its Broadway run, the show went on to be a worldwide hit in London's West End winning the Olivier Award (with Lane reprising his performance as “Max Bialystock”), touring across America, and around the world.

A current revival of the show is in London now, initially starting Off West End at the Meiner Chocolate Factory. It later moved to the Garrick Theatre where it continues to play to packed houses.

Following the success of the stage musical, a 2005 film remake (featuring the songs from the Broadway show) was made reuniting the whole original creative team majority of the original cast (including Lane and Broderick) However, the only 2 major cast changes were in the film only. With Stroman recreating her direction and staging on film, the cast starred...

Nathan Lane reprising his Broadway performance as "Max Bialystotck",

Matthew Broderick reprising his Broadway performance as "Leo Bloom",

Uma Thurman as "Ulla",

Gary Beach reprising his Broadway performance as "Roger De Bris",

Roger Bart reprising his Broadway performance as "Carmen Ghia",

Will Ferrell as "Franz Liepkind",

and more.

THE PRODUCERS is also being performed in schools, community, and regional theatres around the world today.

Isn’t this show an ultimate love letter to Broadway?!!



WATCH THE PRODUCERS TONY PERFORMANCE HERE
https://youtu.be/Q9eVmBfrLEY?si=fIp-gWL5ro3fTN0V

05/30/2026

YOU AT THE BARRICADES, LISTEN TO THIS! As we were mentioning regarding Les Miserables returning to New York City this Summer, the 3-week ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR will be having a rotational lineup of some of the fan favorites who have played the musical’s arch-enemy duo of “Jean Vailjean” and “Inspector Javert”. These talented singers, who all in common played these iconic roles in London’s West End and around the world, will go at selected performances at Radio City Music Hall. Unsure about the timing, we have all the details here…..

Celebrated Tenor Alfie Boe as “Jean Vailjean”:
JULY 25TH, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
JULY 26TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
JULY 29TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM
JULY 31ST, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
AUGUST 1ST, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
&
AUGUST 4TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM

Olivier nominee Killian Donnelly as “Jean Vailjean”:
JULY 23RD, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
JULY 24TH, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
JULY 28TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 1ST, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
AUGUST 2ND, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 5TH, 2026 AT 2:30PM,
AUGUST 6TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 7TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 8TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM
&
AUGUST 9TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM

International Star Gerónimo Rauch as “Jean Vailjean”:
JULY 25TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
JULY 26TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
JULY 30TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
JULY 31ST, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
AUGUST 2ND, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
AUGUST 5TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
&
AUGUST 8TH, 2026 AT 8:00PM

West End star Bradley Jaden as “Javert”:
JULY 23RD, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
JULY 24TH, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
JULY 25TH, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
JULY 28TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
JULY 31ST, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
AUGUST 1ST, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
AUGUST 2ND, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 6TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 7TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 8TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM
&
AUGUST 9TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM

&

West End star Jeremy Secombe as “Javert”:
JULY 25TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
JULY 26TH, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
JULY 26TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
JULY 29TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM
JULY 30TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 1ST, 2026 AT 8:00PM,
AUGUST 2ND, 2026 AT 2:00PM,
AUGUST 4TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
AUGUST 5TH, 2026 AT 7:30PM,
&
AUGUST 8TH, 2026 AT 8:00PM

The remainder of the cast is set to do all scheduled performances.

Which “Vailjean” and “Javert” you are most excited to see at Radio City?!

05/30/2026

JOIN IN OUR CRUSADE!! Full casting has been announced for the return of Les Miserables coming to Radio City Music Hall for 3 WEEKS this Summer. What an incredible all-star lineup it is with some familiar faces no stranger to living a life UPON THE BARRICADES!!

With a full 65 piece cast and orchestra, this promising concert of the summer will include…..

LES MIZ 25th Anniversary and longtime stars Alfie Boe, Killian Donnelly, and Gerónimo Rauch alternating in the role of PRISONER 24601 himself “Jean Vailjean”,

Bradley Jaden and Jeremy Secomb alternating as the ruthless “Inspector Javert”,

LES MIZ’s “Eponine” of the 25th Anniversary London and the film herself Samantha Barks this time stepping into the role of the lost spiritual “Fantine”,

LES MIZ 25th Anniversary standout and British comedy star Matt Lucas as THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE himself “Thernadier”,

LES MIZ’s original Australian “Cosette” Marina Prior taking on the role of the drunk, sassy, and cruel innkeeper’s wife “Madame Thernadier”,

Beatrice Penny-Touré in the role of the beautiful grownup “Cosette”,

Shan Ako as the all ragged up and free-spirited “Eponine”

Christian Mark Gibbs in the role of Student revolutionary leader “Enjolras”,

Jac Yarrow as hearthrob student “Marius”,

& more.

In addition, it was just announced that Olivier winner Philip Quast, who famously played “Javert” in the original Australian production and in famed 10th Anniversary Concert, will this time play “The Bishop of Digne” in the opening prologue

&

Former West End child actor Rob Madge, who played “Gavroche” in the 25th Anniversary Concert and later seen as student “Jean Prouvaire” on the UK Touring company, will return this time playing the flomboyant and arrogant “Bamatabois”….. better known as the predator who (SPOILER ALERT) gets “Fantine” arrested during LOVELY LADIES.

LES MISERABLES: THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR will be at Radio City Music Hall from July 23rd through August 9th, 2026.

Who is excited?!
How about this cast?!

The summer engagement of the World Tour at the famed New York City venue will feature alternating Valjeans and Javerts.

05/30/2026

Radio City Music Hall is getting decked out!!! A WEEK FROM TOMORROW!!!

05/30/2026

HEY BROADWAY FANS!!! Can you believe it’s just 8 DAYS till Broadway’s biggest night of the year?! It’s coming….. The 79th Annual Tony Awards. We at New York Broadway Tours have so many legendary performances hitting your way on our TOP 30 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. Bring on more showstoppers.

At # 8 on our countdown, we take you somewhere in the south within the 1960’s. There, we meet 2 troubled rebelling gangs in the ultimate fight of a lifetime….. of course, we’re talking about The Outsiders. Based on the best selling novel by S.E. Hinton and the film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it features an original score by Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance, and Justin Levine along with a book by Levine and Adam Rapp.

From the 2024 telecast, here is Tony nominees Brody Grant as “Ponyboy Curtis”, Sky Lakota Lynch as “Johnny Cade”, and Joshua Boone as “Dallas Winston” along with the high energy cast performing the show’s opening number talking about life in TULSA 67 followed by the show’s spectacular moments in Act 2 that stops the show every night…… THE STORMY RUMBLE!!!

After several years of readings and workshops, THE OUTSIDERS was already on its way to hitting the stage. Initially, the show had a rocky start in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with its premiere run initially slated to debut for its out-of-town tryout in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre under the direction of Liesel Tommy. Despitete with everything happening, the creative team kept improving and developing the show virtually before discovering an epic new direction to make the show even better. When Live Theater reopened after COVID, the musical has a follow up brush up development workshop lab. Immediately, it would eventually have its official world premiere run at La Jolla Playhouse in California in 2023 which was the extended multiple responseses following the positive reception.

In 2024, THE OUTSIDERS made its Broadway debut at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre where it continues to play every single night to sold out packed houses of screaming rebellious fans every night…… pretty much the same level as Newsies.

Under the direction of Dayna Taymor and choreographed by sibling duo Rick and Jeff Kuperman, the cast was led by…..

Brody Grant (later Trevor Wayne and currently Noah Pacht) as “Ponyboy Curtis”,

Sky Lakota Lynch (later and currently Caleb Mathura) as “Johnny Cade”,

Joshua Boone (late Alex Joseph Grayson and currently SeQuiioa) as “Dallas Winston”,

Emma Pittman as “Cherry Vallance”,

Brent Comer (later and currently Dan Berry) as “Daryl Curtis”,

Jason Schmidt (later and currently Sutton James Kaylor) as “Sodapop Curtis”,

Daryl Tofa as “Two-Bit Matthews”,

& more.

The reception of THE OUTSIDERS was over the moon, no wonder it would end up getting so many accolades in Awards season. The show was nominated for 12 Tony Awards winning 4 including….

BEST MUSICAL,

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (for Dayna Taymor),

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN OF A MUSICAL (for Hana S. Kim and Brian MacDevitt)

&

BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL (for Cody Spencer).

While the show continues to rebel Broadway, THE OUTSIDERS is currently on a North American National Tour, which kicked off this Fall. It continues to fight out sold out crowds everywhere.

Doesn’t this show make you want to STAY GOLD?!



WATCH THE OUTSIDERS TONY PERFORMANCE HERE
https://youtu.be/2D0XxLBTSsw?si=ZZf9mrR29YBPgvO7

05/29/2026

GOOD MORNING BROADWAY FANS! We are just 9 DAYS away from The 79th Annual Tony Awards. We have more legendary performances coming your way on our TOP 50 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN. So many great iconic Broadway performances galore.

At # 9 on our countdown, things are about to get hot. This unique show tells a story about MUDER, GREED, CORRUPTION, VIOLENT, EXPLOTIATION, ADULTERY, & TREACHERY…. ALL THE THINGS WE HOLD NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS.. That of course is the opening line from our selection of the day…. The RAZZLE DAZZLE hit Chicago. Based on Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 play of the same name, the musical features a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb along with a book by Kander and Bob Fosse.

From the 1997 telecast. Tony winners Bebe Neuwirth as “Velma Kelly” and the late Ann Reinking as “Roxie Hart”, and the original cast of the long running Broadway revival perform a medley of ALL THAT JAZZ and HOT HONEY RAGZ

CHICAGO was first conceived as a musical in the 1960’s. Acclaimed performer Gwen Verdon asked her then husband director and choreographer Bob Fosse to read Maurine Dallas Watkins’ 1926 Celebrity Crime themed play of the same name. He was inspired and asked Watkins several times to get permission in adapting the story into a musical. She flatly refused. Later on, Watkin realized (as a born-again Christian) believe her play glamorized a scandalous way of living. Following her death, Fosse and Verdon finally got the go-ahead and received the rights from Watkins’ estate as well as to producer Richard Fryer.

CHICAGO went directly to on Broadway in 1975 at the 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers Theatre)

The early reviews were mixed and audiences were uncomfortable with several moments of the show with the actors breaking the fourth wall in several numbers (including THE CELL BLOCK TANGO).

It lasted for 2 YEARS playing 24 PREVIEWS and 936 REGULAR PERFORMANCES.

Under the direction and choreography of Bob Fosse, the original cast starred….

Gwen Verdon as “Roxie Hart”,
Tony winner @
Chita Rivera as “Velma Kelly”,
The late Jerry Orbach as “Billy Flynn”,
Barney Martin as “Amos Hart”,
and
Mary McCarthy as “Matron Mama Morton.

FUN FACT: During the original run, tragedy struck with the show on the verge of the closing. Gwen Verdon apparently had to have had surgery on nodes in her throat after inhaling a feather during the show's finale (THIS DID HAPPEN). With the show also on the verge of closing, Fosse and the creative team tried to find a great name to fill in the role of “Roxie Hart”. At the time, Liza Minnelli (who at the time just finished shooting the film version of Cabaret the Musical which she won the Oscar for) offered and stepped into the role for several weeks. She had to learn the role very fast and no one in the audience knew what was going on till the announcement was made…. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Due to the indisposition of Gwen Verdon, the role of “Roxie Hart” will be played by Liza Minnelli”. The audience went bananas with excitement (especially seeing the beloved daughter of Judy Garland take center stage). She made a huge impression.

The original production of CHICAGO was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1975 including BEST MUSICALl but lost all of its categories.

The show went on to premiere in London’s West End (in 1979). It eventually disappeared and played occasional regional theater productions.

However, the buzz today for CHICAGO blew up later on for its ongoing Broadway revival.

The first and current revival of CHICAGO originally started out as a concert production for the New York City Center ENCORES! series in 1996. It got instant buzz and attention honoring the legacy of Bob Fosse still around, plus its semi-staging use of sets, no crazy costumes, and its high energetic cast.

Due to the critical success of the Encores engagement, producers Barry Weissler and Fran Weissler transferred the production to Broadway a few months later. It first started out at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. 6 months into their run, they abruptly were forced to move over to the Shubert Theatre. In 2003, CHICAGO would move again. transferring it to its "still up & running" current home at the Ambassador Theatre.

In 2014, it surpassed the original production of Cats (which played 7,485 performances) and currently holds the distinction as THE 2ND LONGEST RUNNING SHOW IN BROADWAY HISTORY and THE FIRST LONGEST RUNNING AMERICAN MUSICAL IN BROADWAY HISTORY.

The revival is well known for having a huge lineup of celebrities having their attempts on doing Broadway and Musical Theatre.

It continues to play to packed houses (On Broadway, on Tour across America, London's West End, and Around The World) every night. So far on Broadway, it has played over 10,000 performances. Most recently, it just celebrated its 29th Anniversary!! With Walter Bobbie’s direction and Ann Reinking keeping the choreography to its legacy, the original cast of this revival consisted of…

Ann Reinking as “Roxie Hart”,
Bebe Neuwirth as “Velma Kelly”,
Tony winner James Naughton as “Billy Flynn”,
Tony and Oscar winner Joel Grey as “Amos Hart”,
and Marcia Lewis as “Matron Mama Morton”.

The revival was nominated for 8 Tony Awards in 1997 winning 6 consisting of…

BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL,

BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Bebe Neuwirth),

BEST LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL (for James Naughton),

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (for Walter Bobbie),

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY (for Ann Reinking),

&

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN (for Ken Billington)

In addition to its success on the stage, CHICAGO was a big hit on the big screen. In 2002, Miramax Pictures released the legendary film version that brought the Movie Musicals back on the map. Under the direction and choreography by Rob Marshall. The film featured an all star cast consisting of…

Renee Zellweger as “Roxie Hart”,
Catherine Zeta-Jones as “Velma Kelly”,
Richard Gere as “Billy Flynn”,
John C. Riley as “Amos Hart”,
and Queen Latifah as “Matron Mama Morton”.

The film went on to receive numerous Awards including BOTH the Golden Globe and the Oscar for BEST PICTURE in 2003.

CHICAGO also is performed in schools, community, and regional theaters today.

Isn't this show such a RAZZLE DAZZLE smash?



WATCH CHICAGO’S TONY PERFORMANCE HERE
https://youtu.be/W4bGFmceDnU?si=6_Gr0B4QxLxBtDp2