One of those already popular cult following shows we have to mention is LEMPICKA. For those who may not know, this musical told the story of the life of Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka. It follows her journey fleeing Russia to Paris during the Revolution. As a way of survival, she starts a life in painting becoming one of the first major female painters. In addition, you discover her life becoming bisexual. When she meets a free-spirited prostitute, you see her toen between the life with the woman plus her husband. It featured an original score and book by Matt Gould and Carson Kreitzer. Notable songs include OUR TIME, WOMAN IS, I WILL PAINT HER, PERFECTION, STAY, & more.

LEMPICKA was commissioned and developed through various early readings and workshops at the Yale Repertory Theatre and the New Dramatists between 2011-2017. It had its official world premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts the following year of 2018. Early reviews were mixed to positive.

In between 2018‐2022, the show continued to be developed through more readings and workshops…. even during Quarantine. A second production was then staged at La Jolla Playhouse in California.

However, when LEMPICKA finally did hit Broadway this past Spring at the Longacre Theatre, it ended up an extreme backlash of negative reviews & extremely low-ticket sales. It closed after 27 previews and 41 regular performances. Under the direction of Tony winner Rachel Chavkin, the cast was led by….

Eden Espinosa as “Tamara De Lempicka”,

Amber Iman as “Rafaela”,

Andrew Samonsky as “Tadeusz Lempicki”,

George Abud as “Marinetti,

Tony winner Beth Leavel as “The Baroness”,

Nathaniel Stampley as “The Baron”,

Zoe Glick as “Kizette”,

&

Natalie Joy Johnson as “Suzy Soldier”.

Despite the negative output, LEMPICKA still went on to be nominated for 3 Tony Awards for BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (for Eden Espinosa), BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL (Amber Iman), and BEST SCENIC DESIGN OF A MUSICAL. However, it lost all its categories.

The Negative reviews even caused an uproar in the show’s following….. notably people in the LGBTQ+ community continuing to support the show. Many of the fans were inspired of Tamara’s story in discovering her sexuality in her art. It’s also a celebration that Art does matter.

Who saw LEMPICKA?

For those don’t know, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is based on a best-selling novel by Sara Gruen and later became an acclaimed film. Set under the big top of a traveling circus, it follows a veterinarian in training and the show’s lead performer who fall secretly in love behind the back of the lead performer’s husband….. The Ringmaster…. who turns out to be an abusive monster harming all the circus’ animals notably a newly added Elephant. The secrect lovers take the ultimate leap of faith as they attempt to take The Elephant away and all leave the circus together. It features an original score by the PigPen Theatre Company along with a book by Rick Elice. Notable songs include THE ROAD DON’T MAKE YOU YOUNG, EASY, THE LION HAS GOT NO TEETH, WHAT WOULD YOU DO, and more.

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS went through several years of readings and workshops. It had an official world premiere at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA in the Summer of 2023. It got some good early buzz.

A year later, the show transferred to Broadway this past Spring at the Imperial Theatre where it earned mixed to positive reviews. It continues to play to packed houses every night. This production is known for some high energetic daring circus stunts and lots of really cool puppetry.

Under the direction of Broadway performer Jessica Stone along with choreography by Jesse Robb and Shana Caroll, the cast is led by….

Grant Gustin (currently Kyle Selig) as Veterinarian “Jacob Jankowski”,

Tony nominee Greg Edelman as “Older Jacob Janowski”,

Isabelle McCalla as Circus star “Marlena”,

Paul Alexander Nolan as the cruel Ringmaster “August Rackinger”,

Sara Gettelfinger as “Barbara”,

Joe De Paul (currently Phillipe Aymaro) as “Walter”,

& more.

The show was nominated for multiple Awards this past season. It ended up being nominated for 7 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL but lost all the categories. It did however take home several Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards.

A North American Tour will kick off Fall 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

You have to see this show to believe in the wonder!!!

How amazing is this show

First thing first, we have to mention one of the most talked HOTTEST TICKETS right now is this year’s Tony winning smash hit The Outsiders. This show is still playing to packed houses every night at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Its already even being called “The Newsies of The Decade”!!!

For those who may not know, The Outsiders is based of the best-selling novel by S.E. Hinton and later a smash hit film from Francis Ford Coppola. Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the year 1967, it centers on a group of 2 teenage rival gangs….. The Greasers (title characters themselves) and The Socs. Even with all the fighting, The Greasers embark on an emotional journey of self-discovery of wanting to who they want in a world that may never accept them. The musical features a score by the folk-rock band Jamestown Revival along with a book by Adam Rapp and Justine Levine. Songs are already becoming epic anthems including GREAT EXPECTATIONS, TULSA 67, & STAY GOLD.

THE OUTSIDERS was first developed around 2019 after an early set of readings and workshops. Its world premiere run was initially slated to hit Chicago in the Summer of 2020. However, it got cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily during quarantine, the creative team did some updates and tweaks in between.

As Live Theater returned, THE OUTSIDERS finally hit the stage in the Spring of 2023 at La Jolla Playhouse in California. The success earned a major extension selling out the entire run.

Finally, the show made its way to our New York City backyard at Broadway’s Bernard J. Jacobs Theatre this past Spring. It has been playing to rave positive reviews from critics and screaming Theater fans alike. Notably for its voices, staging, high energy choreography, and notably the spectacular RUMBLE scene.

Under the direction of Danya Taymor (the niece of the Tony winning Julie Taymor) and choreographed by The Kuperman Brothers, the cast continues to feature it’s original leads…..

Brody Grant as “Ponyboy”,

Sky Lakota Lynch as “Johnny Cade”,

Jason Schmidt as “Sodapop Curtis”,

Brent Comer as “Darryl Curtis”,

Joshua Boone as “Dallas Wintston”,

Emma Pittman as “Cherry Valance”,

Kevin William Paul as “Bob Sheldon”,

& more.

The show got lots of nominees and Awards. Most notably it received 12 Tony nominees winning 4 for BEST SOUND DESIGN OF A MUSICAL, BEST LIGHTING DESIGN, BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL, & the big one of the night…..BEST MUSICAL.

The show’s original cast album most recently debuted at # 1 on the Billboard Cast Album Charts.

A North American National Tour is set to kick off Fall of next year 2025 starting appropriately where the story takes place….. Tulsa, Oklahoma!!!

Who has seen THE OUTSIDERS?

Doesn’t this give you GREAT EXPECTATIONS?