Best Musical 2017 - already interesting

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 6:09pm

I know that it's kinda tacky to make a post like this, given how early it is. However, this year's race is utterly lacking in suspense, and this upcoming season's new musicals are already shaping up to produce an interesting and divisive race. 

Most of this season's upcoming new musicals have had (or will have) pre-Broadway tryouts, so I think it isn't too difficult to look forward and see which ones are real contenders. Though there are several strong-looking contenders, I predict and hope that the race will ultimately come down Dean Evan Hansen vs. Great Comet. 

In pains me to compare these 2 beautiful and wildly different shows, but I think it's an inevitability given the nature of the awards season. Plus they are both musicals that are opening around the same time, and they will both be ineligible for the other NY awards due to their Off-Broadway runs - a factor which will make the race even more interesting and difficult to predict. 

Though I love both shows, my heart will ultimately be with Great Comet next year. I think the show is more compelling, original and polished than Evan Hansen. As for predictions though? I really don't know. I think they both have a good shot at the award, though I think Comet might have a bit of an edge. Best Score will be a really interesting race too. Again, I'm rooting for Dave Malloy, though I'm concerned his music might be a bit too strange for the Tony Voters. 

[Dave13]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 6:13pm

Both of those shows could turn out to be flops. Way too early. Also you could always have a show come out of nowhere.  There are several shows that are rumored to be opening or scheduled to be opening that also look promising.  

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 6:18pm

Dave13 said: "Both of those shows could turn out to be flops. Way too early. Also you could always have a show come out of nowhere.  There are several shows that are rumored to be opening or scheduled to be opening that also look promising. "

 

I agree with both of those things, but I still think it's worthy of discussion and prediction.

 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 6:32pm

I don't think Dave Malloy's score is terribly weird as a whole. It doesn't sound like typically Broadway music, to be sure, but other than the Prince Bolkonsky scene and a section of The Opera, the rest of the score is quite beautiful. In particular, all the solo numbers for the women are gorgeous and perfectly suited to the respective character. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 8:45pm

Evan's book is the strong point, the score is merely better-than-most.  The adaptation and music and lyrics for Great Comet are extraordinary.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:05pm

You never know if we will have another economic slump in October causing the tony voters to pick the bigger and more eye catching show which appeals to mass audiences and could tour well, sponge bob.

[darquegk]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:09pm

Will Groundhog Day be open by then? Tim Minchin is a critical darling.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:09pm

The Prince Bolkonsky section (specifically with the "yes, father"s from Princess Mary) put me off the recording for a long time tbh. I kind of wish Malloy had written something else, but I know most of the lyrics for the entire show are almost transcriptions of the novel.

The rest of the recording is fantastic, I've been listening to it a lot lately. I could definitely see why it could flop on Broadway because it was very specific to off-Broadway, but I think it will be an interesting race for Best Musical next year for sure.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:10pm

Call_me_jorge said: "You never know if we will have another economic slump in October causing the tony voters to pick the bigger and more eye catching show which appeals to mass audiences and could tour well, sponge bob."

LOL

[willep]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:21pm

gypsy101 said: "The Prince Bolkonsky section (specifically with the "yes, father"s from Princess Mary) put me off the recording for a long time tbh. I kind of wish Malloy had written something else, but I know most of the lyrics for the entire show are almost transcriptions of the novel."

 

I can see this if you haven't seen the show. But honestly that was one of the scenes that really stuck with me seeing the show and I love listening to it.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:53pm

Dave13 said: "Both of those shows could turn out to be flops. Way too early. Also you could always have a show come out of nowhere.  There are several shows that are rumored to be opening or scheduled to be opening that also look promising.  

Dear Evan Hansen will not be a flop.  It played to both sold out houses and across the board rave reviews at Arena in DC and Second Stage.  

 

"

 

[pupscotch]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:57pm

I think Dear Evan Hansen will be the big winner. I think Natasha will win Score, but Dear Evan Hansen will win Book and Musical. 

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:40pm

Owen22 said: "Evan's book is the strong point, the score is merely better-than-most.  The adaptation and music and lyrics for Great Comet are extraordinary.

 

"

Beg to differ. I liked "Evan" a lot but that ending definitely needs work and a couple of the characters could use some fleshing-out, whereas I'd argue the songs won't need to change much at this point. That opening song, in particular, is killer.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:55pm

With every new incarnation, Great Comet has lost its charm on me. Either way, this is shaping up to be a great season. I'm most excited for Come From Away. 

Updated On: 5/25/16 at 11:55 PM

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 10:10am

I really do worry that without Soo and Malloy, I really won't enjoy Comet.  The show is starting to feel bloated to me as well.  It started as a small, intimate show and I feel like the simplicity of the original was what made it so wonderful.  

I haven't seem Evan or Come From Away, but they both look incredibly interesting.

Is it possible for War Paint to transfer during this upcoming season?  If it does, this will be a tough year.

Updated On: 5/26/16 at 10:10 AM

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 10:13am

What other musicals are potentially coming in next year? Groundhog Day, Spongebob, War Paint, Holiday Inn...?

 

 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 10:32am

Holiday Inn is already confirmed by the Roundabout- it's being done in the fall and opening in November, I believe. 

[Daddy Warbucks]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 10:32am

I like Anastasia as the commercial choice and for its touring power. 

[sofiaur8]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 10:33am

I don't know about anybody else, but I'm super excited for the Bandstand.

[GreenGables]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 4:55pm

My predictions are that Dear Evan Hanson and Anastasia will be the real decision for Best Musical, but that is mostly because I am just a little cynical about how well Spongebob will be when all is said and done. 

Great Comet, in my head, is a bit tough for a general Broadway audience given Malloy's score and the weird seating chart (meaning it may not make enough money to stay open for serious consideration).

I think those are the top 4, I don't know too many people outside of the theatre community who are excited / have even heard of Bandstand et al.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 5:24pm

I would be very surprised to not see Great Comet make it to the spring. Yes, it's an odd show, but Josh Groban is a big star with a large amount of fans and name recognition. Plus, given the unique nature of the show, I think it will do well in terms of word of mouth. I don't think it's a sure thing, but it's coming to Broadway with a lot more going for it than many new musicals. 

Updated On: 5/26/16 at 05:24 PM

[JM226]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 5:28pm

Updated On: 5/26/16 at 05:28 PM

[Daddy Warbucks]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 6:03pm

At this stage, I predict the nominees as:  Anastasia, Dear Evan Hansen, Great Comet and Groundhog Day. (Noting that this is wildly too early to really know, but it's fun to think about). 

I think it is currently Anastasia's to lose (only because it is a known and strong commercial property), but I could see any of the other three with the potential of coming in and killing it and being the more unique and novel choice for the Tony.   

[¿Macavity?]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 6:06pm

I can already see the thread...

 

"Way Too Early 2017 Tony Predictions".

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/26/16 at 6:13pm

¿Macavity? said: "I can already see the thread...Way Too Early 2017 Tony Predictions"

I've actually been looking forward to that thread TBH, the one that we had for this year's was fun (and fun to look back on and see how wrong some things were). Last year's was posted the day after the Tonys so I hope the same happens again.