The Epicurean

There’s much to look  forward to this spring on Broadway … things are getting ready to bloom.

American Idiot – Yes, that American Idiot, based on the Grammy Award-winning Green Day album.   This edgy musical tells the story of disaffected youth “as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world. ” Read Charles Isherwood’s October 2009 review of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s production in which he lauds American Idiot as “that rare and tricky creature, a true rock opera.”   Previews begin March 24th.  The musical opens April 20th.  Tickets are available through Telecharge.com.  This is a high demand show, so check out BroadwayBox.com if tickets are not available on Telecharge.com.

Update: American Idiot opened on Tuesday, April 20th to outstanding reviews, including one by Charles Isherwood of The New York Times.

Come Fly Away – A new Broadway musical conceived, choreographed, and directed by Twyla Tharp, with vocals by Frank Sinatra.  “This one-of-a-kind experience combines the seductive vocals of ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ with the sizzling sound of a live 19-piece big band and the visceral thrill of Tharp’s choreography. As fifteen of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love at a swinging nightclub on a star-lit evening, you will be transported to a world of sparkling romance and astonishing beauty.”  On now at the Marquis Theatre.  Per BroadwayBox.com, discounted tickets available at Ticketmaster.com for performances through June 20, 2010.  Use code: EBBOX10.  Tickets $79.50/$89.50 (regular $126.50, save up to 35%).  Read Charles Isherwood’s rave review in The New York Times.

Enron, a true story of false profits – “Based on real-life events and using music, dance and video, Lucy Prebble’s Enron explores one of the most infamous scandals in financial history, reviewing the tumultuous 1990s and casting a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world currently finds itself.”  The initial London run at the Royal Court Theatre sold out and the production has moved to the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre.  The reviews were nothing less than effusive: “Not to be missed. The political Theatre of the 21st century has arrived, in some style.” The Times; “An exhilarating mix of political satire, modern morality and multi media spectacle.  A fantastic theatrical event.” Guardian.  Previews being April 8th and the production is scheduled to run through July 18th.  Tickets are currently available through Telecharge.com Prices are $66.50 to $121.50.

Fences – Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star in this revival of August Wilson’s smash Broadway play first staged in 1987 with James Earl Jones (the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winner that year).  “Both a monumental drama and an intimate family portrait, Fences tells the story of Troy Maxson, a man torn between the glory of his past and the uncertainty of his future. Emboldened by pride and embittered by sacrifice, Troy is determined to make life better for future generations, even as he struggles to embrace the dreams of his own son.” Telecharge.com This is a strictly 13-week limited run with previews beginning on April 14th and opening night on April 26th.  Tickets are available through Telecharge.com.  Ticket prices range from $61.50 to $121.50.  Premium seats available.

Lend Me a Tenor – Film and theater actor Stanley Tucci directs his first Broadway play, a revival of Ken Ludwig’s farce Lend Me a Tenor starring Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Shalhoub, and Justin Bartha.  “It’s September 8th, 1934, and Cleveland’s premiere opera producer is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The tickets are sold, the stage is set, and the thirty-piece orchestra is ready. But, it’s about to become un disastro gigantesco, because it’s three minutes to curtain, and the leading man – the greatest tenor in the world – has gone missing!”  Per BroadwayBox.com, discounted tickets are available online at BroadwayOffers.com or by telephone at 212-947-8844.  Use code: LTBBX21.  Tickets just $69.50/$74.50, regularly $121.50/$126.50.  Offer good through April 25th.  Previews began on March 12.  Opening night is April 2nd.

Next Fall – Written by Geoffrey Nauffts, this off-Broadway transplant has garnered rave reviews.  Ben Brantley wrote that “ ‘Next Fall,’ which opened Thursday night at the Helen Hayes Theater, is that genuine rara avis, a smart, sensitive and utterly contemporary New York comedy. The question now is whether theatergoers will recognize that ‘Next Fall’ embodies something they’ve been sorely missing, perhaps without knowing it, for years.”  The play tells the story of the five-year relationship between Adam and Luke, the former an agnostic and the latter a devout Christian.  “Next Fall takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment and unconditional love.”  Opening night was March 11th.  BroadwayBox is advertising the following discount available at BroadwayOffers.com or by telephone at 212-947-8844, using code: NFBBX27: Select tickets $59.50 – $69.50 (regularly $81.50 – $116.50).  The offer expires  May 2, 2010.

Promises, Promises – Based on Billy Wilder’s classic film The Apartment, starring Jack Lemmon/Shirley MacLain, the first revival of this musical boasts Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes performing songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David (book by Neil Simon).  Promises, Promises begins previews begin March 27th and opens April 25th.  Per BroadwayBox.com, discounted tickets are available on BroadwayOffers.com or by calling 212-947-8844.  Use code PPDMX212.  Tickets $79.50/$84.50, regular $126.50/$136.50 (save over 35%).  Discount expires May 16th.

Red – Direct from a sold-out run at London’s Donmar Warehouse (Frost/Nixon, Mary Stuart, Hamlet) comes Red, a play written by John Logan, directed by Michael Grandage, and starring Alfred Molina and Eddie Redmayne.  “Master American expressionist Mark Rothko has just landed the biggest commission in the history of modern art. But when his young assistant gains the confidence to challenge him, Rothko faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing. Raw and provocative, with groundbreaking performances, RED is a searing portrait of an artist’s ambition and vulnerability as he tries to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.”  Performances begin March 11th; opening night is April 1st.  According to TicketWatch, tickets for all performances though April 18th are $79 (Orchestra and Front Mezzanine) and $59 (Rear Mezzanine, A-F).  Go to BroadwayOffers.com or call 212-947-8844 and use code RDNYT23.

When the Rain Stops Falling -  This Lincoln Center Theater production of author Andrew Bovell’s acclaimed play  arrives in New York after sold-outruns in Melbourne and Sydney, and at the Almeida Theatre in London.  “It’s raining.  Gabriel York is awaiting the revival of his grown son whom he hasn’t seen since he was seven.  ‘I know what he wants.  He wants what all young men want from their fathers.  He wants to know who he is.  Where he comes from.  Where he belongs.  And for the life of me I don’t know what to tell him.’”  At the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center.  Tickets are available through Telecharge.com.  Price $85.00, plus $5.50 service charge and a handling fee.  Opened March 8th.

Enjoy!