Broadway Season Ends on a High

The Broadway season has come to an end and the excitement of the Tony Awards is now behind us.
Since the Tony Awards often translate into box office, I thought I would review some of the highlights from this past season – even if they didn’t win.

This season had some quality musicals even though there were a lot fewer than last season: 12 vs. 21. Here are some noteworthy productions.

Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) was nominated for Best Musical and in the acting categories for its two leads. Alas, it went home empty-handed probably because it lacked the high-end glitz and production values of the other heavy hitters. Yet, it was by far the best musical of the year so I had hoped for a surprise win as Best Musical.

This fresh, funny and lively rom-com musical is also a laugh-out-loud riot with a pair of leads that have great chemistry, work well off one another, and are the perfect recipe for a dynamic, memorable duo.
Sam Tutty’s timing and awkward nature make us fall in love with him right away and then he blows you away with his amazing voice. Christiani Pitts plays the grounded American who welcomes Sam to the US as she shows him around NYC, all the while with most of his knowledge coming from watching Home Alone 2.
Pitts is a natural talent with a strong voice. I previously saw her in the short-lived King Kong musical and what I remember most about that was not the giant ape on the stage but her voice, which made me download her songs.

Speaking of songs, besides the story, acting and overall execution of this show, what made Strangers stand out is the music and witty lyrics by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan. Of all of the shows this season, this is the only one in which I downloaded all of the songs as I want to revisit and remember them later.
This is an open-run show and get tickets http://www.twostrangersmusical.com.

In my five days and seven musicals in New York, the first show I saw was Schmigadoon! For days it was my favorite musical of the season (until my last show, Two Strangers).

This is as fun, colorful and spoofy as the TV show, but opened up more on the big stage with splashy dance numbers and a terrific ensemble.

Of course, it went on to win the Tony for Best Musical and its lead Sara Chase was nominated but, due to stiff competition, her co-star Alex Brightman was not. Check it out at https://schmigadoonbroadway.com/

Like Schmigadoon!, The Lost Boys also took home four Tony Awards with two for its actors in the featured categories.The cast brings together the true meaning of teamwork with a lot of the credit going to the songs by The Rescues and the lighting by Michael Arden and Jen Schriever. Collectively, they set the tone and mode between the home life of the family and the dark world of vampires.

Cast wise, I do need to point out Benjamin Pajak as the younger brother. We expect great things from the other seasoned actors – especially with two winning Tony awards – but Pajak is a scene stealer and has quite the resume at his young age. Expect to see him holding his own Tony Award one day. Check out the show at: https://www.lostboysmusical.com/cast-creative

What do you say about Titanique? A parody of the famed movie that became a cult hit Off-Broadway and has even travelled to London, it finally made it to the Broadway stage and its limited run has been extended. Sorry it lost its four Tony Awards – especially for Marla Mindelle – who is the heart behind the show as she is one of the book writers and as lead actress, she does a spot-on take on Celine Dion.

Mindelle really needs to get more Broadway lead roles as she’s a quintuple-threat. She has everything going for her and is a talent a always seek out.

Let’s keep getting it extended! Right now, tickets on sale through Sept. 20, but it went on forever Off-Broadway so let’s make it happen again. For this show, go to https://titaniquebroadway.com/
There’s many other great shows on Broadway – and Off! If tickets are too much for you, you can often find great deals on the app Theatr.