Boston's Best Upcoming Musicals
'Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody'
Wilbur Theatre
246 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 248-9700
www.thewilbur.com
Date: Nov. 12, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
"Fifty Shades of Grey" is a literary phenomenon that brought BDSM culture into the mainstream, though in a sometimes laughable way. That is why it was such easy fodder for makers of the musical parody "Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody." Viewers should expect the same adult themes as are present in the book, so this musical may not be for the faint of heart. Nonetheless, it combines sex appeal with comedy for what should be a great night for everyone involved.
'Motown: The Musical'
539 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 259-3400
www.bostonoperahouseonline.com
Date: Jan. 27 to Feb. 15, 2015 (See schedule for show times)
Motown is an iconic record company that came to represent a sound that would resonate in American music for decades to come. "Motown: The Musical" captures the amazing music recorded by artists such as the Jackson 5, Diana Ross and, of course, Marvin Gaye. The story is but subplot to this fantastic soundtrack of hits fans will recognize and newcomers will come to appreciate. Complete with stylistic performances that could have come straight out of the '60s, this is an event no music fan should miss.
'Irving Berlin's White Christmas'
Citi Performing Arts Center
270 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 482-9393
www.citicenter.org
Date: Dec. 16 to 28, 2014 (See schedule for show times)
Nothing quite says Christmas like a heartwarming story of goodwill, togetherness, family and friendship. This musical has it all, as the film it is adapted from had before it. Charming songs that, as they say, just are not made like that anymore round off the piece in a way that will leave viewers very much in the Christmas spirit. Thanks to the inclusion of such details as snow and wonderful performances, this musical is popular with both critics and theatergoers wherever it pops up.
'Big Fish'
SpeakEasy Stage Company
539 Tremont St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 482-3279
www.speakeasystage.com
Date: March 13 to April 11, 2015 (see schedule for show times)
Daniel Wallace's "Big Fish" is an extraordinary novel about parental relationships and tall tales. The musical adaptation captures all of the magic of the novel as a son comes to terms with his father's grand tales while the latter is on his deathbed. Going from traveling salesman to a man in search of his father and himself, Will Bloom takes the audience on a journey that may exceed the boundaries of reality, but are just right for musical theater.
Related: Boston's Best Ways To Get Involved In The Theater Community
'Awake And Sing'
Huntington Theatre Company
264 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 266-7900
www.huntingtontheatre.org
Date: Nov. 7 to Dec. 7, 2014 (see schedule for show times)
While centered on the rather done plot of a poor New York family trying to raise itself to better fortune, "Awake and Sing!" is refreshing enough to avoid being run-of-the-mill. The musical shines its spotlight on an American Jewish family with a mother who will not give up. It has all of the elements of family and all of the passion of good musical theater. Odet spun a good tale and the Huntington Theatre Company puts on an equally good performance.
Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
