The second half of Broadway Grand Rapids’ 2015-16 season kicks off with the ever-rousing Blue Man Group, with more big shows to come. Check out this season preview by Local Spins writer Tricia Woolfenden.
Invading Grand Rapids This Week: Blue Man Group plays DeVos Performance Hall Tuesday and Wednesday.
From blue body paint to blue comedy, the second half of Broadway Grand Rapids’ 2015-2016 season packs a diverse punch.
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Executive Director Mike Lloyd calls it “the strongest ever” for the company, which this year celebrates 28 years of bringing touring Broadway shows to Grand Rapids stages.
And while the remaining shows in the current season touch on a wide array of artistic tastes, they all share one common denominator: significant commercial appeal.
“The advance sales for ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘The Book of Mormon’ have already set a record and the shows are months away,” Lloyd said. “‘Riverdance’ set the record for the most popular show in the company’s history and that was 20 years ago. This is the 20th anniversary tour and should match that.”
Lloyd believes the success of these shows demonstrate “the vitality of the Grand Rapids market as a hot place to be.” He said “the productions are of the highest quality, matching whatever a ticket holder might expect in Toronto, Chicago or New York, at half the price.”
Here’s a look at what’s left on the docket for this season:
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group
Tuesday-Wednesday (Feb. 2-3)
$35-$70
What: What started 25 years ago as a bizarre passion project for three close friends in New York City has blossomed into an award-winning entertainment juggernaut spanning the globe. The show has been called a “deconstruction” of the prototypical rock concert. The show is less about story lines and more about concepts: How technology and humanity intersect, what it means to be bald and blue, etc.
The buzz: The Dallas Morning News’ Thor Christensen said of the touring show: “Presenting themselves as lovable poker-faced humanoids who can’t speak, they came off as three Harpo Marxes, acting like E.T. in an episode of Monty Python.”
Riverdance
Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour
April 12-17
$35 and up
What: Remember when Michael Flatley broke onto the scene with his furious footwork and bouncy dance partners and suddenly everyone thought they should (or could) miraculously become a lord or lady of the dance? Well, that was 22 years ago. Back when crushed velvet hats were cool and Nirvana ruled the airwaves. The show has been revamped and slightly retooled for modern audiences, though staying true to its Irish roots. Flatley — who broke from the company in 1995 — won’t be along for the ride. But expect to see plenty of talented young dancers moving at breakneck speed, plus a new number added just for the anniversary tour.
The buzz: CY Ashley Webb of StarkInsider said: “With small changes, the numbers of this 20th anniversary tour are largely the same as the original — a mix of music and Irish dancing — but spiked with other cultures …”
Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera
May 18-29
$54.50 and up
What: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom” is a Musical with a capital “M.” With 30 years under its belt, Phantom is the highest-grossing worldwide musical in history and second only to “The Lion King” in terms of Broadway financial success. Even those who’ve never set foot in the theater know the opening chords (“DUM-dum-dum-dum-dum-duhhmmmm-dum-dum-dum-dum-DUMMMMHHHHHHHHHMMMMM”) of the show’s title track. This tour, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, features new lighting, scenery and design – plus some new choreography.
The buzz: Webber certainly has his share of detractors, but if box office receipts are the voice of the people, it’s clear they like what he’s got to offer here. As for the critics? They’re mixed on the need for a “freshened” take on the stage classic, but did find positive points. The Los Angeles Daily News’ Dany Margolies said “the phenomenal theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh has taken the reins to refresh the visuals. They are indeed gorgeous.”
The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon
June 21-26
$38 and up
What: A raunchy, ribald and wickedly clever religious satire from the creators of the raunchy, ribald and (somehow still) wickedly clever “South Park.”
The buzz: This one is immensely popular, even with musical theater noobs and the hardest-to-please of professional haters (errr, critics). The New York Times has given it its highest blessing, calling it the “best musical of this century.”
All shows are staged in DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Tickets available at Broadway Grand Rapids, 122 Lyon St. NW, 616-235-6285. Get details and tickets online at broadwaygrandrapids.com.
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