by Jeanni Ritchie
I love musical theatre! I have starred in Annie, Gypsy, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Grease, Oklahoma, and A Chorus Line, just to name a few. Granted, they were mostly in my living room with my sister and neighborhood friends recruited forced to play supporting roles to my Tony-winning musical numbers. I served as director, choreographer, stage manager, costumer, and star in these daily productions.
If I wasn’t performing at home, I was either performing in community children’s theatre or church musicals or watching one of my beloved musicals brought to life onstage. Trying to place Pineville City Councilman Tom Bouchie after meeting at an event recently, it hit me. He’d played Friedrich von Trapp in a production of The Sound of Music I’d seen in the early 80’s.
My love of theatre runs as deep as my memories! I went on several trips last year to see touring Broadway productions, even befriending the entire cast of Pretty Woman: The Musical at a post-show Q & A in San Antonio. Several of my favorite rom-coms have been turned into stage productions (Imagine the “Bend and Snap” from Legally Blonde as a fully choreographed musical number) and I’m here for it all!
Below is a list of 12 musicals to watch for:
Mystic Pizza: A musical based on the 1988 Julia Roberts’ coming-of-age film featuring hits from the 1980s and 1990s. National tour begins January 2025 in Florida.
The Wedding Singer: The Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore rom-com got the Broadway treatment in 2006. It is no longer touring but is available for school and community performances. After seeing freshman Mackensie White, Slidell, perform A Note From Linda at NSU Theatre and Dance’s New Faces 2024 showcase last month, I was reminded of how much I still want to see this show!
Six: A musical comedy that tells the story of Henry VIII’s six wives through a singing competition. ASH Theatre recently put on a production of Six that blew me away. This fast-paced show is full of sass and snark.
& Juliet: Another show I’ve been wanting to see so I’ve already put tickets on my Dear Santa list! The show runs at New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre January 14-19, 2025. This musical flips the script and gives Juliet a new ending with pop anthems that prove there is life after Romeo.
Back to the Future: 80’s screen to stage musicals are big hits and this one, complete with a flying DeLorean, is on national tour through August 31, 2025. It looks like I’ll be in Little Rock, Arkansas next March!
Elf the Musical: There are two great opportunities this holiday season to experience the magic of the North Pole through Buddy’s eyes: The Saenger Theatre in New Orleans hosts a touring Broadway production December 3-8 while the Natchez Little Theatre puts on a community production December 12-15. Two completely different vibes but one guaranteed stellar show whichever you choose!
Gypsy (revival): This was my all-time favorite den performance as a child. My parents must’ve sat through at least 100 performances of If Momma Was Married in the 70s. They also endured many renditions of Baby June’s Let Me Entertain You and Wherever We Go but we wisely only performed You Gotta Get a Gimmick when they weren’t around! The revival opens on Broadway November 2024 with Audra McDonald in the role of Mama Rose.
The Notebook: The 1996 Nicholas Sparks book-turned-movie-turned-musical opened on Broadway in March 2024 after a Chicago run. It is set to close at the end of the year. Expect the Noah-Allie love story to make its way around the country in the next couple of years.
Friends the Musical Parody: This off-Broadway show is an unauthorized musical parody. I’m intrigued but cautious. Some parodies are hilarious (Date Movie‘s irreverent riff on rom-coms was the perfect Valentine’s Day movie as a newly single woman) while flicks like The Brady Bunch Movie broke my Brady-loving heart. A Friends parody could go either way!
Clueless: While the 2018 run has long ended, a new version of the musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma began in London in February 2024. Written by Amy Heckerling, who wrote both the movie and original stage adaptation, with an original score by KT Tunstall and Glenn Slater. Hopefully it will make its way back across the pond soon!
The Devil Wears Prada: While Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt are gearing up for a film sequel, Vanessa Williams straps on Miranda Priestly’s high heels for the U.K. West End production of The Devil Wears Prada beginning October 24. The musical features music by Elton John.
Heathers: There’s no need for a gas card or frequent flyer miles to catch the hottest new show taking Broadway by a storm. Heathers the Musical will be right here in Central Louisiana next year! ASH Theatre will present the high-energy dark comedy February 27-March 2, 2025. Mark your calendars now!
Jeanni Ritchie is a lifelong theatre fan whose cardboard sign would read Will Work for Tickets! She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
