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Theatre
AIDA - Musical (Palace Theatre, 1554 Broadway at
47th St., 307-4747) Superstars of the music world, Elton
John and Tim Rice, have combined their talents to create the
score for this new version of the love triangle immortalized
by Verdi. The story follows the romance between Aida, a
Nubian princess forced into slavery, and the soldier Radames.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian princess Amneris is also in love
with Radames. Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
(Call for schedule variations.)
AMADEUS - Play (2 hrs., 45 mins.) (Opened 12/6/99)
(Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St., 239-6200) One of
Broadway's most spellbinding successes has returned to the
Great White Way, again under the Tony-winning direction of
Sir Peter Hall. Set amid the opulence of 18th Century
Vienna, Peter Shaffer's exquisitely crafted, humorous play
pits human ambition against heavenly genius by homing in on
Salieri's intense jealousy of young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2, Sun., 3.
ANNIE
GET YOUR GUN-Musical (2 hrs., 40 mins.) (Opened
3/4/99) (Marquis Theatre, 1535 Broadway, between 45th &
46th St., 307-4100) Packed with such celebrated Irving
Berlin songs as "There's No Business Like Show
Business," and "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do
Better)," Annie Get Your Gun follows
sharpshooter Annie Oakley's rise to fame, and her stormy
relationship with marksman Frank Butler, as she travels the
country with "Buffalo BIll's Wild West Show."
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
BEAUTY
AND THE BEAST-Musical (2 hrs., 40 mins.) (Opened
4/18/93) (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46th St., 307-4747)
Alan Menken's Oscar-winning music underscores the story of
Belle, a young woman whose unconditional love returns The
Beast to his former princely self. Be prepared to be dazzled
with this fully-staged version of the animated Disney
megahit. Wed.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 1 &
6:30.
CABARET-1998
Tony, Best Revival of a Musical. (2 hrs., 30 mins.) (Opened
3/19/98) (Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., 239-6200) Thirty-one
years after winning the Tony Award for Best Musical, Cabaret
is back on Broadway! Based on Christopher Isherwood's
"Berlin Stories," this outstanding musical, set
against a backdrop of a crumbling Germany at the start of
the Third Reich, follows nightclub singer Sally Bowles'
romance with an American writer. Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed., Sat.
& Sun., 2.
CATS-1983
Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 40 mins.) (Opened
10/7/82)(Winter Garden Theatre, Broadway at 51st St.,
239-6200) Now in its 15th year, Cats is the
longest-running show in Broadway history. Based on T.S.
Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," and
set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this fantasy is
spectacularly staged by Trevor Nunn. Includes the well-known
song "Memory." Try to sit down front in the middle
of all the action. Mon.-Wed. & Fri.-.Sat., 8; Wed. &
Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
CHICAGO-1997
Tony, Best Revival of a Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) (Opened
11/14/96) (Shubert Theatre, 225 W. 44th St., 239-6200)
Kander and Ebb's "musical vaudeville" is based on
City Center's Encores Series concert performance. It follows
Roxie Hart ("not your usual housewife"), who gains
notoriety when she kills her boyfriend. What transpires is a
cavalcade of bribes, lies and fame as she manipulates
everyone from a jailhouse matron to hack reporters.
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed., Sat. 2; Sun., 3.
CONTACT - Dance Play (Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W.
65th St., 239-6200) In this unique theatrical pieceÑchoreographed
by Tony Award-winner Susan StromanÑthe sensual fantasies of
three people are told in dance with dialogue.
"Swinging" involves a servant, an aristocrat and a
girl in 18th-century France;"Did You Move?" is set
in an Italian restaurant in Queens circa 1954; and
"Contact," takes place in modern day Manhattan.
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
DAME EDNA: THE ROYAL TOUR -- Comedy with Music (2
hrs., 15 mins.) (Opened 10/17/99) (Booth Theatre, 222 W.
45th St., 239-6200) Outrageous and outspoken gender-bending
diva, England's own Dame Edna Everage, has finally deigned
to grace the Broadway scene with her glamorous prescence! In
this tour de force show, Dame Edna sings, dances, takes over
the stage and trawls the auditorium with much aplomb and the
help of Peter Fitzgerald at the piano and two lovely "Ednaettes."
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
FOOTLOOSE-Musical
(2 hrs., 15 mins.) (Opened 10/22/98) (Richard Rodgers
Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., 307-4100) This adaptation of the
hit movie follows a kid from the big city who finds himself
transplanted to a small town where rock 'n roll and dancing
are strictly verboten--until he decides it's time for a
change in policy! Besides the film's now-famous numbers,
including "Let's Hear It For The Boy," this new
incarnation features new songs by the original composers.
Wed.-Sat., 8; Sun., 7; Wed., Sat. & Sun., 2.
FOSSE-Musical
(2 hrs., 45 mins.) (Opened 1/14/99) (Broadhurst Theatre, 235
W. 44th St., 239-6200) The luminaries associated with this
production are staggering: Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking, Chet
Walker, Richard Maltby, Jr all have joined together to
recreate the extraordinary career of master choreographer
Bob Fosse. In addition to a number of rarely-seen numbers,
the cast also performs several Fosse classics, including
"Big Spender," and "Bye Bye Blackbird."
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
JACKIE MASON-MUCH ADO ABOUT EVERYTHING! -- One-Man
Show (2 hrs.) (Opened 12/30/99) (Golden Theatre, 252 W. 45th
St., 239-6200) As with his four previous Broadway outings,
Jackie Mason's new one-man show proves a feast for comedy
lovers. In it, the veteran comic takes satiric aim at the
people, groups and issues that define our daily lives --
everything, in fact, from politicians to the internet. All
new material, same brilliant mind and mouth! Tues.-Sat., 8;
Sun., 3.
JAMES JOYCE'S THE DEAD -- Musical (1 hr., 40 mins.)
(Opened 1/11/00) (Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St.,
239-6200) Based on the famous last story in Joyce's
collection The Dubliners, this beautifully evocative
production is set at an annual Christmas party held by the
music-loving aunts of an Irish teacher, Gabriel Conroy. At
this year's affair, a guest's song awakens the memory of
lost love for Gabriel's wife Gretta and revives a
long-buried passion. Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2;
Sun., 3.
JEKYLL
& HYDE-Musical (2 hrs., 30 mins.) (Opened
4/28/97) (Plymouth Theatre, 236 W. 45th St., 239-6200) An
evocative tale of romance and the epic battle between good
and evil, Jekyll & Hyde brings new life to Robert
Louis Stevenson's classic story. A whirlwind odyssey pitting
man against himself is set into motion when the brilliant
Dr. Jekyll's experiment backfires, giving life to Edward
Hyde, his evil alter ego. Brilliantly staged, acted and
sung, this striking musical runs Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. &
Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
KISS ME, KATE -- Musical (2 hrs., 40 mins.) (Opened
11/18/99) (Martin Beck Theatre, 302 W. 45th St., 239-6200)
Jam-packed with a myriad of Cole Porter hits, this timeless
theatrical gem is set backstage during an out-of-town tryout
for a musical based on The Taming of the Shrew. And,
as with Shakespeare's hero and heroine, the ex-spouses
playing the leads lock horns every time they set eyes on
each other. Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
LES
MISERABLES-1987's Tony, Best Musical (3 hrs., 15
mins.) (Opened 3/12/87) (Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St.,
239-6200) Now in its thirteenth glorious season on Broadway,
Les Miserables is a theatrical masterpiece that makes
three-plus hours seem like no time at all. Based on Victor
Hugo's moving novel set in 19th Century France, this
extraordinary opera-inspired work unfolds a tale of good vs.
evil, man against man. An epic evening of theatre in every
way! Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
THE
LION KING-1998 Tony, Best Musical. (2 hrs., 45 mins.)
(Opened 11/13/97) (New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd St.,
307-4100) The stage version of Disney's animated mega-hit
follows the adventures of Simba as he struggles to accept
the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of
king of the jungle. Filled with colorful characters and
Grammy-winning numbers by Elton John and Tim Rice, this is a
family-friendly show you won't want to miss. Wed.-Sat., 8;
Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 1 & 6:30.
MISS
SAIGON-1991 winner of three Tonys. Musical (2 hrs.,
30 mins.) (Opened 4/11/91) (Broadway Theatre, Broadway at
53rd St., 239-6200) Though still in its first decade on
Broadway, the show that swept the 1991 Tonys is being hailed
as "a classic." The plot of this musical centers
around a young Vietnamese girl and a U.S. soldier during the
fall of Saigon in 1975. This moving production shows how
people in a war-torn society look upon the american Dream as
a symbol of salvation. Mon.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2.
A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN - Drama (Walter Kerr
Theatre, 219 W. 48th St., 239- 6200) Eugene O'Neill penned
this heartbreaking story of the tormented alcoholic, James
Tyrone, who finds solace in the arms of a shy farm woman.
Set in Connecticut in 1923, this play continues the
fictionalized saga of O'Neill's own family which the
playwright began in "Long Day's Journey Into
Night." Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
THE
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA-1988 Tony, Best Musical (2
hrs., 30 mins.) (Opened 1/26/88) (Majestic Theatre, 247 W.
44th St., 239-6200) After a myriad of film versions, Gaston
Leroux's famous period thriller is now one of Broadway's
greatest attractions. Featuring the music of Andrew Lloyd
Webber, Phantom has achieved the kind of reputation and
following most shows only dream of. Exquisitely produced and
performed, this is truly theatre at its finest. Mon.-Sat.,
8; Wed. & Sat., 2.
RENT-1996
Tony, Best Musical (2 hrs., 40 mins.) (Opened 4/29/96) (Nederlander
Theatre, 208 W. 41st St., 307-4100) Inspired by Puccini's La
Boheme, Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical
blockbuster centers around a community of young East
Villagers as they struggle with the soaring hopes and tough
realities of today's New York. Tues.-Sat., 8; Sun., 7; Sat.
& Sun., 2.
RIVERDANCE ON BROADWAY - Musical (Gershwin Theatre,
222 W. 51st St., 307-4100) An international company of 80
dancers, singers and musicians come together in this
celebration of traditional Irish music and dance. Performers
include championship Irish dancers Pat Roddy and Eileen
Martin, flamenco artist Maria Pages, and vocalists Tsidil Le
Loka and Brian Kennedy. Liam Neeson's voice is also featured
reciting from the works of several noted Irish poets.
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER -- Musical (2 hrs., 40 mins.)
(Opened 10/17/99) (Minskoff Theatre, Broadway at 45th St.,
307-4100) The ultimate disco movie, with its high-octane Bee
Gees' soundtrack ("Stayin' Alive," "You
Should Be Dancing") was legend, and now it's back --
live on Broadway! The story follows an ambitious kid from
Brooklyn with a burning desire to make it big in the Big
Apple. Added bonus: two new songs by the Bee Gees written
just for Broadway. Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun.,
3.
SQUONK -- Multi-media (Helen Hayes Theatre, 240 W.
44th St., 239-6200) The ingeniously magical collection of
sights and sounds known as Squonk is unlike anything
on the Great White Way--or anywhere else for that matter!
Described as a "magic carpet ride of sound and
spectacle," the show is presented by a performing
troupe that seamlessly weaves together music, props, humor,
dance and pupptery intoa virtual live theatre music video.
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3. (From 2/8)
SWING! -- Musical (Opened 12/9/99) (2 hrs., 10 mins.)
(St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St., 239-6200) This
all-singing, all-dancing musical celebration features
world-class Swing dancers, a contemporary Swing band, and a
dynamite collection of jazz/pop vocalists, all cutting loose
to a mix of new and classic Swing songs. In fact, nearly 20
dance numbers are performed in this neo-Swing extravaganza.
Tues.-Sat., 8; Sun., 7; Sat. & Sun., 2.
TRUE WEST -- Play (Opened 3/2/00)
(Circle-in-the-Square Theatre, 50th St., west of Broadway,
239-6200) One of Sam Shepard's most celebrated works, True
West follows a reunion of two estranged brothers -- one
a Hollywood intellectual, the other a drifter and small-time
criminal -- whose buried emotions peak and explode when they
attempt to teach each the other the tricks of their
respective trades. Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun.,
3.
WAITING IN THE WINGS - Comedy (Opened 12/16/99) (2
hrs., 30 mins.) (Eugene O'Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St.,
239-6200) In honor of the 100th anniversary of Noel Coward's
birth, playwright Jeremy Sams has "revisited" Waiting
in the Wings and now offers it as a special celebratory
gift to contemporary audiences. Graced by a star-studded
cast, this American premiere production is set in a
retirement home for actresses where a theatrical grand dame
is forced to confront her longtime rival, the home's newest
resident. Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2; Sun., 3.
WILD PARTY - Musical (Virginia Theatre, 245 W. 52nd
St., 239-6200) Based on the 1928 poem by Joseph Moncure
March, this new musical is a stunning jazz-age tale of a
no-holds-barred Manhattan party thrown by two vaudeville
performers and the tragic love affair that ignites and
explodes when a volatile cocktail of booze, passion and
desperation is is shaken -- not stirred. 3/10-3/19:
Tues.-Sat., 8; Wed. & Sat., 2. From 3/20: Mon.-Sat., 8;
Wed. & Sat., 2.
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