The marquee for ‘The Notebook’ on Broadway.Photo:Broadway World/Shutterstock
Broadway World/Shutterstock
It’s a good time to be a theater and book lover.Broadway’s spring season is seeing the arrival of many highly-anticipated shows, includingAlicia Keys’Hell’s Kitchenand revivals of classics likeCabaretandThe Who’s rock musicalTommy. But passions converge for those who like to bring a book to keep them entertained before curtain: A number of new shows opening this season were novels first — classics and new favorites alike.If you find yourself in New York City this spring, or need an excuse to plan a trip, consider checking out some of the literature-based musicals on stage.
‘The Notebook’
The cover of Nicholas Sparks' novel and the poster for the musical adaptation of ‘The Notebook’.Grand Central Publishing; Courtesy of THE NOTEBOOK on Broadway
Grand Central Publishing; Courtesy of THE NOTEBOOK on Broadway
The Notebookis currently in previews at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Tickets are available atnotebookmusical.com.
‘Water for Elephants’
The cover of Sara Gruen’s novel and poster for the musical adaptation of ‘Water for Elephants’.Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; Playbill
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; Playbill
Based on Sara Gruen’sbestselling 2006 novel, the musical adaptation tells the story of a young man who finds himself joining the insular world of a traveling circus.
Water for Elephantsbegins previews at the Imperial Theatre on Feb. 24. Tickets are available atwaterforelephantsthemusical.com.
‘The Outsiders’
The cover of S.E. Hinton’s novel and poster for the musical adaptation of ‘The Outsiders’.Speak; Playbill
Speak; Playbill
Amazon; Playbill
‘The Wiz’
The cover of L. Frank Baum’s book and poster for the musical adaptation of ‘The Wiz’.SeaWolf Press; Playbill
SeaWolf Press; Playbill
The beloved musical isreturning to Broadwayafter a national tour last year.The Wiz, which features an all-Black cast, originally opened on Broadway in 1975 and swept that year’s Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical. Its famous film adaption, starringDiana RossandMichael Jackson, was released in 1978, and a television specialThe Wiz Live!, featuringMary J. Blige,Queen LatifahandAmber Riley, aired on NBC in 2015. Wherever the story appeared, all are retellings of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s bookThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
‘Wicked’
The cover of Gregory Maguire’s novel and poster for the musical adaptation of ‘Wicked’.William Morrow Paperbacks; Playbill
William Morrow Paperbacks; Playbill
Currently Broadway’s fourth-longest running show,Wicked, which tells the origin stories of Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, has been onstage for 20 years and counting. The show’s current cast stars Alyssa Fox as Elphaba and McKenzie Kurtz as Glinda.The musical is loosely based upon Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novelWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which is also adapted from L. Frank Baum’s novel. Anupcoming film adaptionof the musical starsAriana Grandeas Glinda andCynthia Erivoas Elphaba; the first part will hit movie theaters on Nov. 27.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Wickedis currently playing at the Gershwin Theatre, where it has been since its premiere in October 2003. Tickets are available atwickedthemusical.com.
source: people.com
