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The big news on Broadway this spring is George Clooney. The mega star makes his Broadway debut in “Good Night, and Good Luck,” a reboot of his 2005 film. In fitting old-school style, Clooney held a press conference prior to the start of previews, during which he admitted to feeling “abject terror.”
One thing he won’t be is alone. Traditionally, March and April have multiple openings, as shows try to squeeze in before the cutoff for Tony nominations at the end of April. Joining Clooney on other stages will be Broadway royalty like Bernadette Peters in a tribute to Stephen Sondheim and TV stars like David Hyde Pierce in an updated “Pirates of Penzance.” These are the shows I’m most excited about.
“Boop! The Betty Boop Musical”
Matthew Murphy/Evan Zimmerman/Courtesy of BOOP! The Musical
Broadhurst Theatre, 235 W. 44th St.; boopthemusical.com
The beloved cartoon character comes to Broadway after a Chicago tryout that one reviewer described as a mix of “Enchanted,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Barbie.” There’s some time travel, a handsome leading man, and a frazzled aunt (played by stage veteran Faith Prince), but mostly the show rests on the performance of Broadway newcomer Jasmine Amy Rogers, whose Betty wants nothing more than a day off from her celebrity life.
“Smash”
Jason Bell/Courtesy of SMASH
Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St.; smashbroadway.com
The hit NBC series from 2012 comes to the stage with many of the same songs from the show, along with several new ones. But the premise seems familiar—a bunch of theater bigwigs creating a show about Marilyn Monroe called “Bombshell.” The TV show’s Megan Hilty can be found a block away in “Death Becomes Her,” so the role of Ivy (Marilyn in “Bombshell”) will be played by Robyn Hurder (“Moulin Rouge!”).
“Good Night, and Good Luck”
Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway; goodnightgoodluckbroadway.com
Legendary CBS broadcaster Edward R. Murrow almost always ended his broadcasts the same way: “Good night, and good luck.” George Clooney borrowed those words to title his 2005 film about Murrow and his conflict with Senator Joseph McCarthy, and now—in one of the most anticipated shows of the spring season—he’ll make his Broadway debut bringing the story to the stage.
“Sondheim’s Old Friends”
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St.; manhattantheatreclub.com
This show started out as a one-night gala in London, but with its star-studded credentials both on an off stage, a much longer life was clearly in the cards. Devised by Cameron Mackintosh and starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, “Old Friends” is a glittering tribute to Sondheim. The revue features many of his greatest hits, including “Children Will Listen” from “Into the Woods” and “Send in the Clowns” from “A Little Night Music.”
“Floyd Collins”
Courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater
Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St.; lct.org
Fresh from “The Great Gatsby,” Jeremy Jordan returns in a gripping musical about a man trapped in a cave. The Lincoln Center production is based on a true story. Collins was an explorer who hoped to turn Sand Cave in Kentucky into a tourist attraction, until he somehow managed to get stuck 200 feet underground. The story became something of a national obsession—and a media circus.
“Just in Time”
Circle in the Square Theatre, 235 W. 50th St.; justintimebroadway.com
Following his best actor in a musical Tony from last year, Jonathan Groff (“Merrily We Roll Along”) turns his attention to Bobby Darin. He plays the singer/songwriter in this new musical, which features hits like “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and “Beyond the Sea.” Producers promise to turn the theater into an immersive nightclub with a live onstage big band.
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow”
Manuel Harlan/Courtesy of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
Marquis Theatre, 210 W. 46th St.; strangerthingsbroadway.com
Fans of the Netflix horror series won’t want to miss the theatrical prequel to the show. The production ran in London in 2023, with many reviewers talking about the over-the-top special effects (smoke, lots of smoke). But for those addicted to the TV series, it’s all about the backstory of Henry Creel, the sociopath at the heart of season 4. Good news: The show works as pure spectacle, even if you’ve not seen a single episode on TV.
“Real Women Have Curves: The Musical”
Avery Brunkus/Courtesy of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical
James Earl Jones Theatre, 138 W. 48th St.; realwomenhavecurvesbroadway.com
The 1993 play and the 2002 film starring America Ferrera come to the stage in a new musical with a similar message. A celebration of women’s bodies—and all the shapes and sizes they come in—the story is also about the curves that life throws our way and how we deal with them. Still, the empowering scene where women working in a brutally hot Los Angeles factory strip down to their undies sounds like it’s worth the price of admission.
“Pirates! The Penzance Musical”
Todd Haimes Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St.; roundaboutheatre.org
David Hyde Pierce takes on the iconic, tongue-twisting Major Modern General in this reimagining of the famed Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. Picture the pirate ship docking in New Orleans, allowing for a jazzy Caribbean-infused score and lots of French Quarter flair.
“Dead Outlaw”
Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St.; deadoutlawmusical.com
In yet another true story, we meet Elmer McCurdy (played by Andrew Durand, recent Drama Desk best actor nominee for “Shucked”). He’s described as “an outlaw, turned corpse, turned celebrity.” Seems that in death, Mr. McCurdy had way more adventures than he ever did in life. Last year’s off-Broadway production made several “best theater” lists, including The New York Times and New York Magazine.
