“Hamilton,” the blockbuster musical that conquered Broadway and won 11 Tony Awards in 2016 is coming to the Majestic Theater in May 2019 for a three-week run (May 7-26, 2019). The immensely popular show is the brainchild of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the book, the songs and the lyrics and won critical praise for all three. Inspired by the biography written by historian Ron Chernow, the show tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through a score that’s a mixture of show tunes, hip-hop, R&B, jazz and rap. What is also unique about it is that Hamilton and the other Founding Fathers and historical personages are portrayed by non-white actors.
While “Hamilton” may be the big draw, the 2018-19 Broadway in San Antonio season promises four other local premieres and the return of strong favorites such as “Wicked” (Sept. 26-Oct.14, 2018); The Phantom of the Opera” (Dec. 6-16, 2018), and “Fiddler on the Roof” (March 26-31, 2019).
The other premieres all sound promising:
“The School of Rock” (Nov. 6-11, 2018) For fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber, this musical will be a treat. Described by Entertainment weekly as “an inspiring jolt of energy, joy and mad skillz,” it’s about a substitute teacher who turns a class of young students into a high-octane rock band and falls in love with the school’s headmistress. But, of course, it’s really all about the music. It includes the songs from the eponymous movie plus 14 new ones from the British pop/rock master.
“Waitress” (Jan.8-13, 2019) is a heartwarming tale of an unhappy small-town waitress and expert pie baker who must find a way to improve her lot. Critics and audiences loved the score by six-time Grammy nominee Sara Bareilles. Pie aromas and actual pies were apparently part of the Broadway production. No word about that from the Majestic but it would be a nice touch.
“Anastasia” (Feb. 5-10, 2019) Inspired by the never-proven claims that Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II of Russia, survived the massacre of her family by the Bolsheviks, the musical focuses on a young woman called Anya who has no memory of her past but would like to find our who she really is. Famed playwright Terrence McNally wrote the book that also relied on the animated movie by the same name. It’s a new show that premiered on Broadway last spring. It’s also the one that I am most curious about.
“The Play That Goes Wrong” (June 18-23, 2019) This appears to be a laugh-fest of physical comedy. Described by the New York Times as “a gut busting hit,” it promises an abundance of “mishaps and madcap mania,” during a staging of a murder mystery. Written by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer, the farcical play was a huge success in London where it won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy. As a great fan of English humor, I look forward to seeing this one!
———————————————————————————————–Season tickets for the North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio 2018-19 season are on sale now. For information on season packages go to www.BroadwayInSanAntonio.com or call 800- 215-7469. Sale dates for individual tickets will be announced later.
