3 Broadway Shows That Should Make the Move to London
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Emma McNamara
Tony Award winner Kinky Boots has recently made the trip and is currently in rehearsals ahead of its first preview on the 21st of August at the Adelphi Theatre. Disney's Aladdin has also just announced open auditions in preparation for its opening in summer 2016 after opening in Seattle in 2011. With these great shows opening in London, let's take a look at some of the other shows that would make exciting additions to London's West End.
Fun Home
Easily the most anticipated show of 2015 comes in the form of Fun Home. Based on Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir of the same name, Fun Home is a story which challenges the public perception of sexuality, and focuses on the relationship between Bechdel herself and her homosexual father.
I first heard of this musical when it was nominated for a staggering 10 Tony Awards in 2015, including Best Musical, which it went on to win, along with 4 more of its nominations. It also holds the title of first Broadway show with a lesbian lead character. As a firm supporter of representation in the entertainment industry, I believe this show should be seen on stages worldwide, with its message bursting at the seams with acceptance and tolerance.
In a city so progressive and diverse as London, Fun Home would fit right in here. Having recently made the jump from off – Broadway to Broadway, here's hoping a move to London is also a possibility.
Newsies
Another family friendly Disney musical, Newsies, a stage show of the film of the same name, centres around the non-fictional Newsboys Strike of 1899 and the fictional newsboy protagonist Jack Kelly. When Kelly and his friends realise their job and hard work are being taken for granted by newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, they decide to do something about it and launch a New York wide strike.
The best thing about this show is the choreography by Christopher Gattelli. The truly impressive talent of Gattelli was commended with a Tony Award for Best Choreography in 2012. Dance contributes to the story of Newsies a lot, which makes this spectacular choreography all the more exciting.
After years of rumours Newsies was going to make its West End debut, nothing has ever emerged true. However, I do hope the feel good musical gets its London debut soon.
Hamilton
New musical Hamilton was breaking records before it even opened. While telling the story of one of the United States founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, the show takes influence from many genres, including hip-hop and rap, all while sticking to its musical theatre roots. This combination of traditional and modern perhaps made musical theatre a little more attractive to those who before thought it wasn't. This shows in the ticket sales as in the first seven previews alone, Hamilton grossed an incredible $1.2 million.
If the music wasn't incentive enough for the unknowing non-theatre fans, maybe the barrage of famous faces that have experienced Hamilton will be. It seems every star currently in New York has been pulling strings for a ticket to this show, everyone from Helen Mirren to Barack Obama. The President and two daughters Sasha and Malia gave the show a standing ovation. Hamilton has the Obama seal of approval.
No news yet as to a West End transfer, but I'm sure David Cameron would be just as thrilled as President Obama was to see this one of a kind, rap influenced, musical.
There is no official news on any of these shows getting a transfer yet, but with shows like Kinky Boots, Aladdin and Motown The Musical coming to London, maybe Fun Home, Newsies and Hamilton will follow suit in the future!