Broadway Spring 2024 Musical Lineup: From “Hell’s Kitchen” to “The Wiz”
This spring’s musical season offers something for everyone! Get ready for a diverse mix of styles and genres, from musicals based on classic literature and historical events to brand-new shows. You’ll also find beloved musicals returning to the stage and exciting “jukebox musicals” featuring the music of iconic GRAMMY winners like Huey Lewis and Alicia Keys.
The season is further star-studded with performances by well-known singers including Deborah Cox, Jeremy Jordan, Shoshana Bean, and Brandon Victor Dixon.
Broadway shows did great last week! Ticket sales hit a high of $37 million, 30% more than the week before and 8% more than last year. In total, over 271,000 people went to see shows, which is an 18% increase from the previous week. Almost all the seats (over 96%) were filled, and the average ticket price was $136.48.
Broadway Spring 2024 Show Ticket Sales Soar!
| Show | Opening Night | Gross | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Who’s Tommy | – | $956,550 | 98% |
| The Outsiders | April 11 | $701,781 (previews) | 100% (previews) |
| The Wiz | April 17 | $941,425 (previews) | 100% (previews) |
| Suffs | April 18 | $460,623 (previews) | Standing Room Only (previews) |
| Hell’s Kitchen | April 20 | $624,961 (previews) | 100% (previews) |
| The Heart of Rock and Roll | April 22 | $139,145 (previews) | 91% (previews) |
| The Great Gatsby | April 25 | $433,640 (previews) | 100% (previews) |
| Water For Elephants | – | $1,149,418 | 96% |
| The Notebook | – | $946,125 | Nearly Sold Out |
Most of these musicals don’t have an end date yet (open run), so you have plenty of time to catch your favorites!
Broadway Spring 2024 Musical Lineup
Hell’s Kitchen
Inspired by the life of 15-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys, “Hell’s Kitchen” takes audiences on a soulful journey through the Manhattan neighborhood where Keys grew up. The jukebox musical weaves her music and lyrics into a semi-autobiographical tale of love, loss, and resilience.
Newcomer Maleah Joi Moon stars as 17-year-old Ali, navigating her teenage years amidst the vibrant backdrop of Hell’s Kitchen. Shoshana Bean and Brandon Victor Dixon join the ensemble.
Look for the recently debuted song “Kaleidoscope” alongside Keys’ iconic hits.
Cabaret (August Wilson Theatre)
“Cabaret” is a famous musical set in a nightclub in Berlin during the 1930s, just as the Nazis were rising to power. The original Broadway show opened in 1966 and starred Joel Grey and Jill Haworth. It featured music and lyrics by the songwriting team of John Kander and Fred Ebb. There was also a movie version in 1972 starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, which won eight Oscars!
This spring, a new revival of “Cabaret” is on stage. This time, the star is Eddie Redmayne, and the audience will be seated around the stage for a more immersive experience. Even though the staging is different, you can still hear all the classic songs you know and love, like “Willkommen,” “Cabaret,” and “Don’t Tell Mama.”
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The Wiz
Calling all fans of “The Wizard of Oz”! The magical musical “The Wiz” is flying back to Broadway! Based on the classic story, this show returns for a limited run at the Marquis Theatre. This isn’t the first time “The Wiz” has graced the stage – it premiered on Broadway way back in 1974! You might also remember the popular 1978 movie starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
This new revival features music by Charlie Smalls and a book by William F. Brown. The script has been updated by Amber Ruffin, who recently won a Grammy Award for her work on the musical “Some Like It Hot.” The choreography will get you moving in your seat by JaQuel Knight, who created the moves for Beyoncé’s hit song “Single Ladies.”
The cast is full of stars! Newcomer Nichelle Lewis takes on the role of Dorothy, while Wayne Brady will be the magical Wiz. And get this – R&B singer Avery Wilson, whose song “Kiss The Sky” was a big hit, will play the Scarecrow! Don’t miss your chance to see this reimagined classic!
The Outsiders
The popular novel “The Outsiders” is being transformed into a new musical for Broadway! This coming-of-age story follows Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade, two members of a greaser gang called the Outsiders. They’re constantly at odds with their wealthier rivals, the Socs. The musical is based on S.E. Hinton’s book, a hit movie in 1983 starring Matt Damon, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise.
Interesting fact:
Angelina Jolie saw the musical during its early run outside New York City and became a co-producer!
The Notebook
Get ready for a love story with you reaching for the tissues! A new musical based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel “The Notebook” is on Broadway, featuring music and lyrics by singer/songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, known for her romantic ballads. The story follows Allie and Noah, two people from different backgrounds who fall deeply in love.
Like the popular movie starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, this musical shows how their love endures despite challenges. And don’t worry, the iconic rain scene from the movie makes a dramatic appearance on stage, too!
The Heart Of Rock And Roll
Fans of Huey Lewis and the News are in for a treat this spring! Two musicals feature their hit songs.
One is “Back to the Future,” which opened last summer and includes the classic “The Power of Love.”
The other is a new jukebox musical called “The Heart of Rock and Roll.” Set in 1987, it tells the story of two young coworkers, Bobby and Cassandra, who find love despite their different priorities. Bobby used to be a rocker but now works in an office. Cassandra is all about her family business. The musical is filled with Huey Lewis’ greatest hits, including “Do You Believe in Love,” “Hip to Be Square,” and “If This Is It.”
Illinoise
There’s a brand new dance musical coming to Broadway! “Illinois” is based on the popular 2005 album by Sufjan Stevens, which tells stories about different places and people in the state of Illinois. The show features music by the Grammy-nominated singer and choreography by Justin Peck, who also worked on “West Side Story.” Think of it as a coming-of-age story that uses dance, music, and theater to take you on a journey across America’s heartland. This show was such a hit in its early run that it’s moving to Broadway to be eligible for Tony Awards!
Lempicka
Eden Espinosa stars in this sweeping musical portrait of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka. The gripping true story unfolds against a backdrop of passion, art, and societal upheaval.
Academy Award winner Hannah Beachler’s scenic design promises to transport audiences to the vibrant world of early 20th-century Europe.
The Heart of Rock and Roll
Huey Lewis fans, rejoice! This romantic comedy celebrates the music of the iconic rock band. It’s hip to be square as the catchy tunes take center stage. Get ready to groove to hits like “The Power of Love” and “Hip to Be Square.”
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary masterpiece comes alive in this musical adaptation. Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada lead the cast, capturing the glamour, excess, and tragedy of the Roaring Twenties. Expect opulent costumes, dazzling parties, and a haunting exploration of love and illusion.
Suffs
Following the success of “Hamilton,” a new musical called “Suffs” is taking Broadway by storm. Set in 1913, the show tells the story of the American women’s fight for the right to vote. The suffragists, nicknamed “Suffs,” wouldn’t give up until they could cast their ballots.
Shaina Taub plays a key figure in the movement, Alice Paul. Not only does she star in the show, but she also wrote the script, music, and lyrics! (She’s even working on another musical with music legend Elton John!) Adding to the excitement, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is producing “Suffs,” making a clear connection between the historic fight for women’s suffrage and modern politics.
Water for Elephants
The popular novel and movie “Water for Elephants” is getting a new twist – it’s now a musical! The music and lyrics come from the PigPen Theatre Co., and the script is written by Rick Elice, who also wrote the book for the hit musical “Jersey Boys.”
The story follows Jacob Jankowski, a man on a train heading towards a new life with a traveling circus. Similar to “The Notebook,” this musical is a “memory musical,” meaning the story jumps back and forth between Jacob’s present life as an old man and his exciting past working for the circus. Prepare for amazing acrobatics and life-sized elephant puppets that will leave you in awe!
The Who’s Tommy
A classic rock opera is getting a revival on Broadway! “The Who’s Tommy” is famous for its hit song “Pinball Wizard,” written by guitarist Pete Townshend. Townshend even won a Grammy Award for the music in the original show.
This time, the director is Des McAnuff, who co-wrote the script with Townshend when the musical first opened 30 years ago! The story follows a young man named Tommy with a special talent for pinball, based on The Who’s 1969 album of the same name. There was also a movie version in 1975 starring some big names like Elton John and Tina Turner. This new Broadway production features Ali Louis Bourzgui as the main character, Tommy.
Get Your Tickets Now!
Whether you’re a seasoned theatergoer or a first-timer, Broadway’s spring lineup promises something extraordinary for everyone. Don’t miss these sensational shows—book your seats and let the magic unfold!
