March 14, 2007

Broadway buzz for 2007-2008: 'Equus' to 'Xanadu'

As Broadway is in its annual rush to open shows in time for Tony nominations, the buzz is frothy over other performances likely to make it to the Great White Way later in 2007 - and '08. There's everything from the silly -- "Young Frankenstein" and "Xanadu" -- to the serious -- "Rock 'N' Roll and "Sunday in the Park with George" -- plus others that may want to be serious but will just be silly.

Here's a show-by-show summary.

"South Pacific" - Scarlett Johansson is a maybe to star in this revival at Lincoln Center starting January 2008, according to today's Post. Also on the producers' wishlist: Reese Witherspoon and Kelli O'Hara.

"Young Frankenstein" - Scheduled to open on Halloween 2007, Mel Brooks adapts his 1974 movie into a musical, with a cast including Megan Mullally, Sutton Foster and Shuler Hensley, according to the Post. Cloris Leachman, who has taken part in readings this year as Frau Blocher, has reportedly been passed over for the Broadway run.

"Xanadu" - After first-choice lead Jane Krakowski backed out, the ELO-powered musical (now with its own MySpace page,) looks to open in all its roller-disco glory on May 23 with Tony Roberts and Kerry Butler.

"Rock 'N' Roll" - Tom Stoppard's brilliant Czech play transfers from London for a fall '07 opening on Broadway, quite possibly with Olivier Award-winner Rufus Sewell.

"Grease" - Previews begin July 24 for this revival, but you can watch the casting every week on NBC's "You're the One That I Want." Laura Osnes has been the judges' clear favorite to play Sandy, but the final decision (along with casting of Danny,) will be decided by the audience.

"Treasure Island" - Robert Louis Stevenson on Broadway by July, Variety reports.

"The Little Mermaid" - Disney's newest will start Broadway previews November 3. It will have sets made of Plexiglas, "to give the sense of being underwater" and actors wearing Heely wheeled-tennis shoes, the Post reports.

"Sunday in the Park with George" - Opens at Studio 54 on January 18, 2008. As Modern Fabulosity says: "The production, which won five Olivier Awards last week in London, will be a strictly limited run on Broadway. (Translation: if you're thinking about subscribing to Roundabout, now would be a good time. ...)"

"The Farnsworth Invention" - A new Aaron Sorkin play about the historically-shafted man who first invented television, could come to Broadway with the help of Steven Spielberg, according to Variety.

"Shrek: The Musical" - Coming in 2008 as a project of Dreamworks Animation.

"Sister Act! The Musical" - Recently run in Atlanta, this screen-to-stage comedy musical could head for Broadway toward the end of the year.

"Nine to Five" - Dolly Parton and librettist Patricia Resnick are aiming to bring this musical to Broadway for the end of 2007 or early 2008.

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" - An all-African-American staging of Tennessee Williams' Southern classic. (See bad casting choices, i.e. "Please, dear God, do not let Diddy play Brick," from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)

"Equus" - Daniel Radcliffe (better known as Harry Potter,) gets naked on stage in London and the girls swoon. It may be headed to Broadway this fall, the Post reports.

"Gone With the Wind" - 2008 on Broadway as a musical, possibly with Hugh Jackman, according to FOX.

"Billy Elliott: The Musical" -- The movie turned musical has been a huge hit in London, but still isn't scheduled for Broadway until fall 2008.

"The Seafarer" - A new play from Conor McPherson (who wrote "Shining City" and "The Weir,") will come to Broadway this fall, according to casting notices.

"Grumpy Old Men: The Musical" - Spring 2008, according to BroadwayWorld.

"Leap of Faith" - Another screen-to-stage musical possibility. Raul Esparza is reportedly centerstage in an upcoming reading.

"Tale of Two Cities" - If it does well in Sarasota, Fla. this epic Dickens show could come to Broadway, Playbill reports.

"The Homecoming" - Daniel Sullivan is scheduled to direct Ian McShane in this revival of Harold Pinter's play for late 2007.

"Slava's Snowshow" - After closing its long Off-Broadway run at Union Square, this circus-type show aspires to return to New York around at the end of 2007, but on Broadway this time.

Opening very soon:

"Inherit the Wind" - previews start with Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy on March 19.

"A Moon for the Misbegotten" - starts previews with Kevin Spacey on March 29.

"Legally Blonde" - previews start at the Palace Theatre on April 3.

"Frost/Nixon" - previews start April 8 with Frank Langella and Michael Sheen.

"LoveMusik" - new Harold Prince musical starts previews April 12 with Michael Cerveris.

"110 in the Shade" - previews begin with Audra McDonald on April 13.

"Coram Boy" - London transfer, starts previews April 16.

"Deuce" - with Angela Lansbury, previews begin April 16.

"Radio Golf" - the last play by August Wilson, begins previews April 20.

March 14, 2007 11:20 AM in Broadway

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