Starlight Express 1987

Opened: March 15, 1987
Closing: January 08, 1989

Starlight Express - 1987 - Broadway History , Info & More

Gershwin Theatre (Broadway)
222 West 51st St. New York, NY

The storyline: It is evening and a mother reminds her small child to put his toy-trains away and to go to bed. In the child's dream, the locomotives come alive: It is the night of the world championships for locomotives.



The young steam locomotive Rusty, charming but definitely no longer technically up to date, appears to stand no chance against its more modern challengers, such as the macho Greaseball. This self-confident diesel locomotive rocks like Elvis and conquers the hearts of its many female fans. When Electra, an ultra-modern e-locomotive, suddenly makes its appearance, the situation seems hopeless for the young steam locomotive. Beautiful Pearl, a 1st-class coach, leaves Rusty for Electra.



Three, two, one- go! The flags come down, the lights flash and the helmets sparkle. Locomotives and their coaches are hurtling along the tracks at lightning speed. The conflict between the trains comes to a climax, since the methods used to win this international race are not always fair. Suddenly it appears, the legendary "Starlight Express", like a fiery comet's tail in the sky. The night is full of glittering stars as Rusty finds out what is most important in life: believing in yourself. He finds new courage to enter the finale - and Pearl begins to understand who her true love belongs to...

Get Starlight Express Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

How Often are People Tony-Nominated for Different Shows in the Same Season?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Apr 14, 2024


This time, the reader question was: How often are people Tony Award-nominated for different shows in the same season?

Review: LES MISERABLES at Broadway Dallas
by Sam Lisman - Feb 22, 2024


The era of the seemingly endless tour brought Les Misérables back to DFW during Christmas.  I hadn’t seen it on stage in about a decade (let’s not talk about seeing it on film), so it seemed to be an appropriate time to revisit it. 

Q. Smith, Eric Jordan Young, Sally Shaw, & Dexter Conlin Star In SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT - THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL VALENTI At 54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 16, 2024


Join Q. Smith, Eric Jordan Young, Sally Shaw, and Dexter Conlin for an unforgettable night of music in 'Something to Sing About: The Music of Michael Valenti' at 54 Below on Thursday, February 29th.

Music Theatre of CT Presents THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2024


Music Theatre of Connecticut (MTC) MainStage, Fairfield County's professional award-winning theatre company continues their 37th MainStage Season with the big-hearted, fierce, and music-filled comedy, The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez.

Jane Krakowski, Linda Lavin & More Join THE GOOD WIFE Spin-Off
by Michael Major - Jan 26, 2024


CBS' The Good Wife spin-off, Elsbeth, has added Jane Krakowski, Linda Lavin, Blair Underwood, and Retta as guest stars. In the new series, Carrie Preston stars as Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute but unconventional attorney who utilizes her singular point. Wendell Pierce also stars.

Photos: RED BUCKET FOLLIES Raises $4,553,203 For Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 6, 2023


An exultant and effervescent Red Bucket Follies returned after a four-year, pandemic-induced hiatus to celebrate six weeks of enthusiastic and dedicated fundraising. The star-studded variety show, performed December 4 and 5, 2023, honored 46 Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies that participated in fall fundraising for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. See photos from the show below!

PACIFIC OVERTURES, CLOSE UP - THE TWIGGY MUSICAL, and More Set For Menier Chocolate Factory 2023 Season
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2023


With Marjorie Prime currently running at the company's home base in South London and Funny Girl on Broadway, the Menier Chocolate Factory announced forthcoming programming for 2023. Learn more about the lineup here!

Photos: Go Inside THE OLIVIER AWARDS 2023 WITH MASTERCARD NOMINEES' CELEBRATION
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 19, 2023


On Friday 17 March, the Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard hosted their Nominees’ Celebration, in partnership with Cunard at The Londoner hotel, the world's first super boutique hotel in the heart of London's theatre district. Notable nominees such as Rose Ayling-Ellis, Beverley Knight, Rob Madge, Rafe Spall and Giles Terera were in attendance, among many of the other nominated theatre makers. Check out the photos here!

Olivier Awards 2023 Industry Recognition Winners Announced
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2023


The Olivier Awards with Mastercard 2023 have formally announced the recipients for this year's Industry Recognition Award. The event is organised annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre.

Feature: THE 50 GREATEST SONGS BY BURT BACHARACH
by Peter Nason - Feb 12, 2023


Reviewer Peter Nason ranks his choices for Burt Bacharach's top 50 tunes.

Anna-Jane Casey to Join Ian McKellen & John Bishop in the UK and Ireland Tour of MOTHER GOOSE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2022


Anna-Jane Casey will be joining the UK and Ireland Tour of the pantomime MOTHER GOOSE as Cilla The Goose with Mairi Barclay, Becca Francis, Shailan Gohil and Laura Tyrer also confirmed to join the company

Ian McKellen, John Bishop and Mel Giedroyc to Star in MOTHER GOOSE in the West End
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2022


Ambassador Theatre Group Productions has announced a UK and Ireland Tour of the pantomime MOTHER GOOSE, starring Ian McKellen as Mother Goose, John Bishop as Vic Goose and Mel Giedroyc as the Goose.

Photos: First Look at the Inspiring Europop Musical SINGING REVOLUTION
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 30, 2021


“Lift it up, lift it up: we can sing our country free!” Twenty triple-threat performers and a five piece band will bring an inspirational new musical based on historical events to life this January. Presented by Dreamtone Productions in association with NewYorkRep, the world premiere of Singing Revolution: The Musical sets a tale of star-crossed lovers against the beautiful, moving and timeless true story of Estonia’s 1987 song-filled, peaceful uprising against the Soviet Union. 

World Premiere of Europop Musical SINGING REVOLUTION to be Presented in January
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 30, 2021


The world premiere of Singing Revolution: The Musical sets a tale of star-crossed lovers against the beautiful, moving and timeless true story of Estonia's 1987 song-filled, peaceful uprising against the Soviet Union.

Broadway Sings BLOOD ROCK: THE MUSICAL BONUS EDITION EP Out Worldwide
by Gigi Gervais - Oct 23, 2021


Broadway Sings Blood Rock: The Musical – Bonus Edition, a special edition EP comprised of 7 songs from the acclaimed 2018 stage play Blood Rock: The Musical created by Michael Berns, has received a worldwide release exclusively on iTunes and Apple Music.

Student Blog: Zodiac Signs of Tony-Nominated Musicals
by Student Blogger: Madison Moore - Mar 22, 2021


The criteria are that these shows have been nominated for Best Musical from the 3rd Tony Awards (the ceremony that started the Best Musical category) in 1949 to the nominations of what will now be the 74th Tony Awards in 2021. I will be determining their signs based upon their Broadway premiere date. With those rules in mind, here we go!

Theater Stories: WICKED, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, SWEENEY TODD, The Theater Hall of Fame & More About The Gershwin Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 28, 2021


Today's Theater Stories features the Gershwin Theatre! Learn about the theatre's longest running show, Wicked; the extravagant production of Starlight Express; the Theater Hall of fame featuring theater's biggest names, and more!

VIDEO: Watch the BLOOD ROCK THE MUSICAL Team Takeover Our Instagram!
by Taylor Brethauer-Hamling - Feb 12, 2021


The team behind Blood Rock: The Musical took over our Instagram story on February 11. Missed out on all the behind the scenes clips? No worries! Watch a recap of the takeover here.

The BLOOD ROCK THE MUSICAL Team Takes Over Our Instagram Today!
by Taylor Brethauer-Hamling - Feb 11, 2021


The team behind Blood Rock: The Musical is taking over our Instagram story today, February 11, to show some behind the scenes of the production.

Listen Now: Broadway Sings BLOOD ROCK THE MUSICAL
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 4, 2021


Featuring four top Broadway stars: 2019 Tony Award nominee Damon Daunno (Curly in Broadway's 'Oklahoma!'); 1987 Tony Award nominee Robert Torti (Greaseball from 'Starlight Express'); Andy Mientus (Broadway's 'Les Misérables' and the Pied Piper on the CW series 'The Flash'); and Jennifer DiNola (Elphaba in Broadway's 'Wicked'), 'Broadway Sings Blood Rock: The Musical' is currently under consideration for a 2021 Grammy Award in the category of 'Best Musical Theatre Album.'

Broadway Sings BLOOD ROCK - THE MUSICAL Out Worldwide
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2020


'Broadway Sings Blood Rock: The Musical,' a new EP comprised of six songs from the acclaimed 2018 stage play 'Blood Rock: The Musical' created by Michael Berns, has received a worldwide release on all streaming music platforms, including iTunes and Apple Music.

Damon Daunno, Robert Torti, Andy Mientus & Jennifer DiNola Featured on BROADWAY SINGS BLOOD ROCK: THE MUSICAL EP
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 29, 2020


The new EP features the singing of four top Broadway stars: 2019 Tony Award nominee Damon Daunno (Curly in Broadway's 'Oklahoma!'); 1987 Tony Award nominee Robert Torti (Greaseball from 'Starlight Express'); Andy Mientus (Broadway's 'Les Misérables,' and in the role of the Pied Piper on the CW TV series 'The Flash'); and Jennifer DiNola (Elphaba in Broadway's 'Wicked').

BWW Book Club: Read an Excerpt From Michael Riedel's RAZZLE DAZZLE - Chapters 25, 26 & Epilogue
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2020


BroadwayWorld Book Club is officially off and running! Or should we say, reading! The first BroadwayWorld Book Club selection is Jennifer Ashley Tepper's The Untold Stories of Broadway Volume 1. Tepper has just released the first volume of the book for free on Kindle!

VIDEO: EVERYBODY DANCE NOW! A Look Back at AC/DC From STARLIGHT EXPRESS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 19, 2020


In this time of social distancing and remaining responsibly indoors, we are all looking for ways to brighten our days and get moving any way we can! In the spirit of celebrating theater and providing motivation to get up and get shakin', we're taking a look back and paying tribute to some of the greatest dance numbers in musical theater history!

The 'Broadwaysted' Podcast Welcomes Broadway, West End Legend Frances Ruffelle
by Broadwaysted - Oct 15, 2019


This week, the Broadwaysted crew is absolutely thrilled to be sitting down with the incredible star of Broadway and the West End, Frances Ruffelle! We're pouring out Milagro Tequila (and super embarrassed that we somehow misplaced our corkscrew) as Frances spills about the experience of creating the iconic role of Eponine (and winning the Tony Award!!!), starring in the original West End production of Starlight Express, and her amazing performance piece 'Frances Ruffelle Lives in New York' celebrating its final New York performance at The Green Room 42 on Sunday, October 20th!

Starlight Express FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Starlight Express have there been?
Starlight Express has had 3 productions including West End which opened in 1984, Broadway which opened in 1987 and Broadway which opened in 1987.
What Tony Awards has Starlight Express been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Choreography for Arlene Phillips , Best Costume Design for John Napier, Best Direction of a Musical for Trevor Nunn , Best Lighting Design for David HerseyBest Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Richard Stilgoe.
What Tony Awards has Starlight Express won?
Best Choreography for Arlene Phillips , Best Costume Design for John Napier, Best Direction of a Musical for Trevor Nunn , Best Lighting Design for David Hersey, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Andrew Lloyd Webber, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Richard Stilgoe, .
What awards has Starlight Express been nominated for?
Starlight Express has been nominated for the Costume Design award at The Hewes Awards for John Napier.
What awards has Starlight Express won?
Starlight Express has won the Costume Design award at The Hewes Awards for John Napier.

Videos