Spring Broadway Preview

Dr. Harry Bleattler gives his top three picks

Not sure which to spend your meager student paycheck on? Dr. Bleattler gives his recommendations for the top three new shows King's students should see this spring.

According to Dr. Harry Bleattler, Dean of the School of Media, Culture and the Arts, this spring's shows look very promising. And he couldn't be more correct. Broadway's spring is packed with eight new musicals, and numerous plays that are sure to beat the post-midterm blues.

First on his list is one of the more interesting and controversial musicals this season: The Book of Mormon. According to its website, The Book of Mormon is "about a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that's about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get."

While excited to see the show, Bleattler cautions, "it's not for everyone but has the potential to be a fairly interesting hit." He's not the only one who thinks this show has potential. Vogue is already calling The Book of Mormon, "the funniest musical of all time." For students in need of stress relief after midterms, The Book of Mormon is sure to provide good laughs..

The second show on Bleattler's list is Catch Me If You Can. Yes, the Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg film is coming to the Great White Way. With music and lyrics by the team that brought us Hairspray (Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman), this show follows con artist Frank Abegnale Jr. on his travels as he commits classy espionage.

"People who have seen it [at its out-of-town tryout], say it is the show to beat for the Tony Award," says Bleattler, recommending it for those who want excitement, toe-tapping tunes, and a new show.

For those seeking a little intellectual stimulation with their entertainment, Bleattler recommends Arcadia. Written by Tom Stoppard, the play addresses the connection between past and present and order and disorder.

"I'm going to see it in a few weeks," Bleattler says, adding, "Tom Stockard tends to be a very intellectual playwright." So if it's brainy dialog rather than show tunes you seek, Arcadia is the play for you.

Also coming this spring, but not one of Dr. Bleattler's top choices, are Priscilla Queen of the Desert (an Australian show with drag queens), Spiderman: Turn off the Dark; Wonderland (a new interpretation of Alice and Wonderland), Sister Act (sans Whoopi but still sure to be entertaining),  Anything Goes (revival of a classic American musical), and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (with Daniel Radcliffe—yes Daniel Radcliffe).

You're in New York, so skip Phantom, Wicked, or Mary Poppins and see something new. If you must see one, Bleattler ultimately recommends Catch Me if You Can as the "one to see."