The Business of Broadway

Broadway in New York City is famed for its iconic theatres, 41 to be exact, each containing a spectacular show. According to The New York Times, Broadway audiences are still down 17 percent from pre-pandemic levels. Despite this, many shows that have opened this year have built strong fan bases among younger audiences including The Outsiders which won Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical in the 2024 Tony Awards, and Romeo and Juliet, the new hit play that stars Kit Connor (Heartstopper) and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story).

Many incredible performances took to the stage this year, plays and musicals alike. Let’s take a look at some of them:

1. Suffs

Written and composed by leading actress Shaina Tubb, who is now the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season, Suffs tells the story of the suffragist movement in the early 1900s as women fought tirelessly for the right to vote. This musical spotlights the friendships, heartbreak, and movement that united women across the country. An all-female cast, Suffs portrays well-known women in history including Alice Paul, Ida B.Wells, and Carry Chapman Catt. The musical score is captivating and inspiring, especially Alice Paul’s ballad, “Keep Marching On” which depicts how women felt knowing they wouldn’t live to see the future they fought for, but knowing the work they do now will change their daughter’s lives. Suffs will close on January 5th after 24 previews and 301 regular performances. The national tour will begin in Seattle in September 2025. Be on the lookout for tour dates or listen to the Original Cast Recording on any streaming service.

2. The Great Gatsby

Starring Broadway superstars Jeremy Jordan (Newsies) as Jay Gatsby and Eva Noblezada (Hadestown) as Daisy Buchanan, this coveted novel by Scott F. Fitzgerald was brought to the Broadway Theatre. The story follows self-made millionaire, Jay Gatsby and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a young wealthy woman with whom he is in love. With its intricate dances, flashy costumes, and flawless vocals set in the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, you are in for a treat. Costume Designer Linda Cho won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Costume Design. Leading actor Jeremy Jordan recently announced his final date as Gatsby will be January 20th. Never fear though, Ryan McCartan (Liv and Maddie) will be replacing him on January 21st. There is no tour announcement…yet, but you can also listen to the Original Cast Recording on any streaming service.

Throughout the last few weeks, many shows have announced their closing day, sixteen in total. While. Some musicals like Water for Elephants and The Notebook will embark on a North American and Canadian Tour, other shows will not have that opportunity. The cast of the Tony Award-winning play, Stereophonic, will take its final bow on January 12th, not getting the opportunity to go on tour. All these sudden announcements have shocked fans and left some questioning the industry. Not to worry though, according to Broadway World, this is no surprise. While 16 may seem like a huge number, last year 12 shows closed in the early months of 2024, and 15 in 2023. It may be difficult to say goodbye to your favorite shows, but let’s take a look at what is opening soon:

1. Gypsy

Starring Audra McDonald (Ragtime), Joy Woods (The Notebook), and Danny Burstein (Fiddler on The Roof) this show follows the life of Rose, an ambitious stage mother who will do anything to help her daughters succeed. Set in the early 20th century, this show is a memoir of real-life Gypsy Rose Lee, one of the most popular theatrical performers of all time. Written by world-renowned composer, Stephen Sondheim, this show is guaranteed to sweep you off your feet. Opening December 19th in the Gypsy Theatre, audiences will be running to see this performance.

2. Boop! The Betty Boop Musical

This show begins previews in March of 2025. It is a new musical based on the classic cartoon character created by Max Fleischer. After its world premiere in Chicago in 2023, Jerry Mitchell (director and choreographer) announced that the show would be moving to Broadway in the Shubert Theatre. Jasmine Amy Rogers, a 23-year-old actress from Texas will be making her Broadway debut in the role of Betty. I don’t know about you, but I am excited for the reviews to start rolling in on this iconic show.

3. The Last Five Years

Starring Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren, this two-person musical follows two New Yorkers falling in and out of love. Previews will not begin until late March 2025 in the Hudson Theatre which currently houses Lady Windermere’s Fan, a play written by Oscar Wilde. This musical is a limited 14-week engagement. A favorite among many musical theatre fans, the show will finally make its Broadway debut. Premiering in 2002 in Illinois with a completely different cast, this show has been a long time coming.