Lights shine bright on Broadway shows during holiday season
Don’t ‘Miz’ this opportunity As a stage spectacular, the Tony Award-winning musical, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, is hard to top. By the time it folds, the expensively mounted British production will have played 6,612 performances on Broadway and grossed $390 million.
Call 800-432-7250.
A blast of Baz
Red-hot Australian film director Baz Luhrmann introduced a new generation of viewers to the musical with his innovative hit “Moulin Rouge,” starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. He will attempt to energize New Yorkers with his passionate version of Puccini’s opera “La Boheme.”
The highly anticipated production begins previews Nov. 29 at the Broadway Theatre, 53rd Street and Broadway. For background and other information, go to the Web site www.bohemeonbroadway.com.
Call 212-239-6200.
A winning Williams
Singing star Vanessa Williams continues making beautiful music during “Into the Woods,” written by Stephen Sondheim and directed by James Lapine, but those who want to see her will have to hurry.
Williams, who shared the big-screen with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the action hit “Eraser,” will only be in the show – winner of the 2002 Tony Award as best musical revival – through Dec. 22 at the Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St..
Call 800-432-7250.
A new Mrs. Robinson
Kathleen Turner has put her clothes back on, left her role as Mrs. Robinson in the stage version of “The Graduate” and been replaced by Lorraine Bracco, best known as Tony Soprano’s shrink in “The Sopranos.”
Although “The Graduate,” being performed at the Plymouth Theatre, 236 W. 45th St., was savaged by some critics, the production has turned into a crowd-pleasing adaptation of the hit 1967 film, which starred Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman. The play, of course, is most famous for its brief nude scene featuring first Turner and now Bracco in all their glory.
For fans of Bracco, who’s a cult favorite due to her key role in Martin Scorsese’s mob masterpiece, “GoodFellas,” with Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta, it’s an opportunity to see the actress in her Broadway debut.
Call 800-432-7250.
Falco in ‘Frankie’
Another actress from “The Sopranos,” Edie Falco, has also moved to Broadway.
Falco will appear through Dec. 29 in the critically acclaimed “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” written by Terrence McNally and directed by Joe Mantello. The production, being performed at the Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St., co-stars Stanley Tucci, who recently appeared opposite Tom Hanks in “Road to Perdition.”
Call 800-432-7250.
Joel gets ‘Out’
Followers of singer-songwriter Billy Joel have the opportunity to see his music interpreted by singers and dancers in “Movin’ Out,” conceived, directed and choreographed by the legendary Twyla Tharp.
The show, being performed at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., opened to mixed reviews but enjoyed a very healthy $7 million advance. That total can be attributed to Joel’s avid fans, who were excited by the prospect of seeing his tunes brought to life and didn’t care what critics had to say about the show.
Call 212-307-4100.