Mark Kaplan’s Broadway Picks
In addition to being a longtime post-production executive, Goldcrest’s Mark Kaplan has a deep background as a producer and director of live theater in New York and around the country. Since returning to New York to join Goldcrest, Mark has seen more than 90 theatrical performances. Here are his recommendations for your next night on the town:
First and foremost is & Juliet. It’s fun! What would have happened in Shakespeare’s famous love story had Juliet not died? It has the cleverest book of any musical in decades—by Emmy-winner David West Read—and has a score packed with number one hits from legendary songwriter Max Martin. It may be the best jukebox musical ever. It will have you on your feet and jumping with joy. I couldn’t recommend it more.
This season’s surprise hit is Shucked, a cornball musical about, well, corn. The show became an overnight sensation after an improbable 12-year journey to Broadway. It flopped in a tryout in Dallas, but it’s come a long, long way since! The music is by Brandy Clark, a spectacular Nashville songwriter, and the book is by Robert Horn, who won a Tony for Tootsie. Leave your brain at home, get ready to laugh and enjoy a great night in the theater.
Heading to Broadway later is summer is The Shark is Broken, a behind-the-scenes comedy about the making of Jaws. It’s written by Ian Shaw, who plays his father Robert, and stars Alex Brightman as Richard Dreyfuss and Colin Donnell as Roy Scheider. West End critics gushed over Shaw’s performance in the show’s London run. It was a big, big hit.
Another “Don’t Miss” is Here Lies Love, a revival of the hit musical by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. It's the rise and fall of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos—set in a disco. They’ve transformed the Broadway Theater, one of the city’s biggest venues, into a glitzy dance hall with the audience in the middle of the action. I’ve seen it three times already! If you can, I highly recommend being a part of the action on the dance floor. A truly immersive and fun experience.
And I’d be remiss not to mention Sweeney Todd, my favorite musical of all time. Most know the story behind Steven Sondheim’s classic tale of romance and blood. Having seen so many versions (including the original) over the years, I arrived thinking this revival had a lot to live up to…and it delivered. Josh Groban is dynamic as Sweeney and Annaleigh Ashford is brilliant as Mrs. Lovett…and clearly robbed of a Tony Award. Undoubtedly the best sung version of the musical yet. Get your tickets and go.
If you’re in London, you must see Abba Voyage. It’s a recreation of an Abba concert from the ‘70s with incredible holographic technology used to turn the band members into their “Abba-tars.” You won’t believe your eyes. It includes all their big hits: SOS, Mamma Mia, Fernando and a lot more. I went to the London show with a friend, a huge Abba fan, and she said it was one of the best nights of her life. Sadly, it won’t be coming to New York any time soon, but I expect it to play in Vegas.
Insider Tip
Looking for discounted tickets? Everyone knows about the TKTS booths. You may also be familiar with Theater Extras, TheaterMania Gold and Show-Score. But have you heard of Theatr (without an “e”)? It’s a new peer-to-peer app for selling tickets. If you have an extra ticket or Aunt Judy comes to town and wants to see a show, you should check it out. It’s a great alternative to StubHub or SeatGeek, which charge exorbitant fees.