Rita R. Powers

Just like in 2005 when it sold $825 million intop all current musicals in ticket sales.
tickets, experts project that the BroadwayOther plays that broke records are Beauty and
theatre is going to set attendance and ticket salesthe Beast, Doubt, Jersey Boys and The Lion King.
records in 2006. The thrill of attending anyBeauty and the Beast , at the Lunt-Fontanne
Broadway show can not be overstated. You canTheatre, set a record in sales of $1,229,825 and
experience the crisp and emotional songs ofis the 6th longest running show of all time. Doubt
musicals, the beauty of design elements and thebroke records for the Walter Kerr Theatre. This
excitement of a character coming to life beforeplay has won both Tony and Pulitzer Prizes.
your eyes. New York City's Theatre District isJersey Boys at the August Wilson Theatre
known for its world-class performances.continues to be considered Broadways freshest
Broadway is New York's top entertainment draw.and newest musical. The Lion King, another Tony
This year, the Great White Way continues towinner, will be moving to the Minskoff Theatre in
showcase the popular favorites from 2005, whileJune 2006. This plays record sales breaking
several new plays are also slated to open.momentum is sure to continue.
Continuing on from 2005 into 2006Coming in 2006
At the Majestic Theatre, Phantom of the OperaMary Poppins, the extremely popular 1964 Walt
continues to break attendance and ticket salesDisney film, has made its way to Broadway.
records. The show arrived on Broadway onPerformances will begin in October or November
January 26, 1988. On January 9th, 2006, theof 2006 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Mary
musical became the longest running play in thePoppins has had a tremendous run in London and
history of Broadway with its 7, 486thwill no doubt become very popular in New York.
performance. Phantom won several Tony awards,The Wedding Singer will open on April 27, 2006 at
including best musical, best performance by a leadthe Al Hirshfeld Theatre. This musical is based on
actor (Michael Crawford as the Phantom) anda very popular movie, which focuses on a man
best performance by a featured actress in anamed Robbie Hart who sings in a band that
musical (Judy Kaye as the opera diva Carlottaperforms at weddings. His desire to find the girl of
Giudicelli). Additional Tonys were awarded forhis dreams comes at one of his wedding gigs
lighting, scenic and costume design.when he meets an enchanting young woman.
At the St. James Theatre, The Producers openedThey become friends but she is engaged to
in 2005 and continues to enjoy sold outanother man. If the Broadway play is as close in
performances. The Producers has won morepopularity as the movie, tickets will be difficult to
Tony awards than any other show on Broadway.obtain.
This Mel Brooks musical is about a BroadwayTarzan, another popular movie, is set to open on
producer and an accountant who convince variousBroadway during the month of March. It is the
elderly women to invest in a Broadway show.story of a boy raised in the wild by animals; it
They over capitalize the show, taking in morewas first a novel written by Englishman Edgar
money than they can ever payback even if itRice Burroughs. The popularity of Tarzan in
was to become a hit. They produce a musicalliterary or film form.
that they are sure will never make it past openingOn March 12, 2006, Ring of Fire, a musical tribute
night and make plans to take off with the money.to country legend Johnny Cash, opens at the
Their "best laid plans" go awry. The Producers willEthel Barrymore Theatre. This year Walk the
run through 2006 and will continue to delight ticketLine, a movie about Cash, won several Golden
buyers.Globes. If it can hold the boards, this play has the
The Color Purple opened at the Broadwaypotential to bring innumerable country music fans
Theatre on December 1, 2005, and has been soldinto the Barrymore.
out every night since. This production has beenBroadways success in 2005 has rolled over into
said to stir the soul. The Color Purple grosses2006. As many as 30 new shows are slated to
about 2 million dollars a week in current andcome to Broadway in 2006. Some will be huge
advanced sales. It is considered to be one of thehits and many more will close in less than a week.
top 5 revenue producing musicals on the boards.Is the next Phantom of the Opera waiting in the
Some predict that in 2006, The Color Purple maywings? Only time will tell.