Nora Dominick ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer Emertainment Monthly realizes that not everyone can travel to the great city of Manhattan to attend an amazing, life-altering Broadway musical. So, we’ve decided to count down the top 10 Broadway musicals currently touring the United States. Read on and take note of when these show stopping musicals will hit a city near you.
10. Annie
Issie Swickle and the orphans perform “It’s The Hard Knock Life” in the 2014-2015 National Tour of Annie. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus/Broadway.com.
After ending its 2013 Tony Award-nominated run, the new and exciting version of Annie hit the road in 2014. Annie tells the story of Annie, a curly-red haired, adorable orphan living in NYC. Her can-do spirit makes her the perfect candidate for adoption, right? Sadly, Annie has spent most of her life under the watchful eye of the orphanage caretaker Ms. Hannigan. When a prospective family finally finds Annie, Miss. Hannigan does everything in her power to keep her. Will Annie ever find happiness? Will these songs be stuck in your head forever? Probably. The national tour features Issie Swickles as Annie, Lynn Andrews as Ms. Hannigan and Gilgamesh Taggett as Daddy Warbucks. For more info/dates visit http://anniethemusical.com/index.php
9. Dirty Dancing
Jillian Mueller and Samuel Pergande in Dirty Dancing. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy/Broadway.com.
Have you ever wanted to see “the big move” in Dirty Dancing live on stage? Do you have a major crush on anyone who resembles Patrick Swayze? Then this national tour is for you. The cult-classic movie Dirty Dancing has become a musical and you can see it in a city near you. Dirty Dancing tells the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman and the summer of 1963. While on vacation in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her family, “Baby” stumbles upon the staff quarters during a full-swing dance party. She becomes entranced by the dance moves and can’t wait to take part in it, especially when she eyes the dance instructor, Johnny Castle. “No one puts Baby in a corner” during this adventure seeking, dance-crazy musical. The national tour features Roseanna Frascona as Frances “Baby” Houseman and Gareth Bailey as Johnny Castle. For more info/dates visit http://www.dirtydancingontour.com/
8. Wicked
Katie Rose Clarke and Lindsay Mendez in Wicked. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus/Broadway.com.
This Broadway musical sensation has been on the road for quite some time now, and it keeps getting better and better. Wicked tells the story of the mystical land of Oz before Dorothy drops in. It shows fans how Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West, how Glinda the Good earned her title, and where the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow came from. The musical journeys through Oz and shows that even Elphaba and Glinda could be friends. Currently, there are two national tours occurring simultaneously. The “Emerald City Tour” will end its run in Los Angeles, CA in March 2015. This tour stars Emma Hunton as Elphaba, Chandra Lee Schwartz as Glinda, and Nick Adams as Fiyero. The “Munchkinland Tour” has just begun its tour throughout the U.S. This tour stars Laurel Harris as Elphaba, Kara Lindsay (Newsies) as Glinda, and Matt Shingledecker as Fiyero. For more info/dates visit http://www.wickedthemusical.com/north-american-tour-tickets
7. Cinderella
Carly Rae Jepsen, Fran Drescher, Stephanie Gibson and Ann Harada in Cinderella. Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg/Broadway.com.
With its magical run set to end in January 2015, Cinderella continues to bring the spellbinding story to cities across the United States. The production earned a 2013 Tony Award nomination for Best Musical, Best Actress in a Musical for Laura Osnes, and Best Actor in a Musical for Santino Fontana. Cinderella tells the story of Ella, a smart, funny, beautiful girl who has a less than perfect life. Her stepmother and stepsisters are deplorable and keep her inside cleaning. When her fairy godmother appears and gives her a mystical gown and beautiful glass slippers, Ella attends the ball, falls in love with Prince Topher and begins to create a new life for herself, all before the clock strikes midnight. The national tour features several key players from the Broadway production. Paige Flure, who played Ella on Broadway after Carly Rae Jepsen, plays Ella. Andy Jones, who played the Prince’s understudy on Broadway and was most recently in Bullets Over Broadway, plays Prince Topher. For more info/dates visit http://www.cinderellaonbroadway.com/tour/
6. Once
Zrinka Cvitesic in Once Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan/Broadway.com.
The 2012 Tony Award winning Best Musical has hit the road! Once tells the story of Guy, an Irish singer-songwriter, who has lost his inspiration to pursue a musical career when his long-time girlfriend breaks up with him and moves to the U.S. He is about to give up music altogether when he meets Girl, a Czech immigrant, who hears him play and refuses to let him abandon his guitar. The heart-wrenching musical has taken the U.S. by storm. With the cast also doubling as the orchestra, this is one musical you don’t want to miss. The national tour features Stuart Ward as Guy and Dani de Waal as Girl. The Broadway musical will wrap its 2-year run on the Great White Way in January 2015. For more info/dates visit http://www.oncemusical.com/tour/
5. Kinky Boots
Jeanna de Waal and Andy Kelso in Kinky Boots. Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy/Broadway.com.
Everybody say YEAH! The 2013 Tony Award winner for Best Musical about everyone’s favorite pair of red, knee-high boots has taken U.S. cities by storm. Based on the movie of the same name, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, who takes over his family’s struggling shoe factory after his father’s sudden death. Charlie can’t keep the business alive until Lola, a drag queen, gives him the idea to create ladies shoes for men. The factory begins making “kinky boots.” The national tour is bringing this heartwarming musical to a new set of audiences. The national tour features Steven Booth as Charlie, Kyle Taylor Parker as Lola, and Lindsay Nicole Chambers as Lauren. For more info/dates visit http://kinkybootsthemusical.com/tour.php
4. The Lion King
The cast of The Lion King. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus/Broadway.com.
One of the longest running musicals on Broadway has brought its Disney magic across the U.S. The Lion King tells the story of Simba on his quest to be king after his evil uncle, Scar, takes over Pride Rock. With direction by the incomparable Julie Taymor, this adaptation of the classic Disney movie features breathtaking puppetry that brings the story to new heights. The tour has been going on for quite sometime and continues to stun audiences. The national tour cast consists of Jelani Remy as Simba, L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, and Patrick R. Brown as Scar. For more info/dates visit http://www.lionking.com/
3. The Book of Mormon
Andrew Rannells, Josh Gad and the cast of The Book of Mormon. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus/Broadway.com.
“Hello, my name is Elder Price and I would like to share with you the most amazing book!” The 2011 Tony Award winning Best Musical is spreading the word of God throughout the U.S. with this hilarious national tour. The musical tells the story of Elder Price and Elder Cunningham as they spread the word of The Book of Mormon throughout Africa. This musical has taken Broadway by storm and is one of the highest grossing musicals of all time. Some of the hit songs that will surely be stuck in your head are “Hello,” “I Believe,” and “Two by Two.” The national tour cast consists of David Larsen as Elder Price and Cody Jamison Strand as Elder Cunningham. For more info/dates visit http://bookofmormonbroadway.com/tour
2. Pippin
Rachel Bay Jones and Kyle Dean Massey in Pippin. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus/Broadway.com.
We’ve got magic to do, just for you! The earth shattering, gravity defying, 2013 Tony Award winning musical Pippin has hit the open road. With direction by Diane Paulus, the revival stunned audiences with its spectacular circus tricks and inventive scenery. Pippin tells the story of Pippin, a prince, trying to find his place in the world. Pippin receives some help from The Leading Player and a cast of characters that helps him find his little corner of the sky. The musical features classic songs like “Corner of the Sky,” “On the Right Track,” “Morning Glow,” and “Glory.” The national tour consists of a familiar face; John Rubenstein has taken on the role of King Charles. Rubenstein originated the role of Pippin in the 1972 Broadway production. Rubenstein replaced Terrence Mann as King Charles on Broadway earlier this year and has now brought the role to life on tour. The rest of the national tour consists of Sasha Allen as The Leading Player, Kyle Selig as Pippin and Lucie Arnaz as Bethe. For more info/dates visit http://www.pippinthemusical.com/tour.php
1. Newsies
Aaron J. Albano and Jess LeProtto in Newsies. Photo Credit: Deen van Meer/Broadway.com.
For all you fansies out there that are still crying into your newsboy caps about Newsies closing on Broadway, fear not! The national tour is in full swing. Everyone’s favorite energetic, attractive, and rambunctious group of newsboys are at it again. Newsies tells the story of Jack Kelly and the 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York City. The 1992 cult-classic film of the same name inspired the musical. Fans fell in love with Newsies on Broadway and now their fan base is expanding. This group of newsboys has already captured the hearts of numerous teenage girls who have dubbed themselves, “fansies.” The musical features some incredible dancing and songs like “King of New York” and “Santa Fe.” The national tour company consists of Dan DeLuca as Jack Kelly, Stephanie Styles as Katherine, Jacob Kemp as Davey, and Zachary Sayle as Crutchie. For more info/dates visit http://www.newsiesthemusical.com/
