Whether spotlighting overlooked shows or reimagining classics, Broadway revivals introduce timeless theater to new audiences. Out of countless productions that have come and gone, here are the five shows that deserve another moment under the stage lights.
“Seussical”
Being in a cursed production of “Seussical” in grade school is a theater kid’s rite of passage. Due to the trauma inflicted by such productions, however, people unfortunately choose to ignore the creative genius that makes the show so perfectly camp.
The musical, which only ran on Broadway for six months before closing in 2001, follows a plethora of Dr. Seuss characters as their stories overlap. Given the controversy surrounding Dr. Seuss, it’s no wonder the show hasn’t been brought back to Broadway. However, a revitalized version of the show could wonderfully uplift diverse voices — because there are no parameters for race in the world of Dr. Seuss. The show’s book is hysterical and the score seriously has no skips with bangers like “Monkey Around” and the jazzy masterpiece “Havin’ A Hunch.” Since the show explores timeless themes — friendship, loyalty and justice — the creative paths are endless when it comes to revitalizing this underrated gem.
— Skylar Boilard, Performing Arts Editor
“Rent”
I first saw “Rent” at 11 years old, which admittedly introduced me to STDs and the AIDS crisis a bit too early. Still, Jonathan Larson’s masterful rock opera tale left a lasting impact, laying the foundation for most modern musicals with its memorable score.
Set in the height of the AIDS crisis in New York City, “Rent” follows a group of struggling artists in Alphabet City searching for love and connection amid the financial hardships they face. Learning of Larson’s untimely death the night before the show’s premiere — portrayed in his biopic “tick…tick…BOOM!” — only makes it more critical that a new generation, increasingly burdened with rent itself, deserves to see his work on Broadway.
— Amelia Knust, Music Editor
“Carrie”
Lasting only 16 previews and five performances during its Broadway run, “Carrie” was a certified flop when it hit the Virginia Theatre in 1988. Critics and Broadway lovers alike panned the show, arguing that the musical didn’t live up to the Stephen King novel and its popular movie adaptation. Not to mention, the very few performances that did happen were riddled with technical errors.
In 2012, the show’s creators gave the iconic story another try — and I’m so glad they did. The updated version accurately depicts teenage angst, female sexuality and complicated mother-daughter dynamics. Not to mention, the music has always been killer — especially the show’s titular song, which holds a special place in every theatre kid’s heart. It’s time for female rage to hit the Broadway stage, and the new and improved “Carrie” is the perfect candidate.
— Annie Emans, Staff Writer
“Follies”
I’ve never understood why the brilliant 2017 London revival of “Follies” never made its way to Broadway. Eight years on, it’s about damn time. Stephen Sondheim’s brilliance is on full display in this timeless, classic Broadway spectacle and asks audiences all to reflect on aging, old or young. Through it, we confront the follies of our pasts and our reckoning with their consequences. Underneath the glitz and glamour of the aging performers well past their prime, our inescapable mortality is a reality that both performers and audiences are forced to reckon with.
Aside from its gut-wrenching story, Sondheim’s signature musical style shines through brilliantly. Songs like “Beautiful Girls,” “The Road You Didn’t Take” and “Losing My Mind” are staples in his canon. After the success of its run at the National Theatre starring Imelda Staunton, it really is a wonder as to why it never returned to the Great White Way.
— Joe Paladino, Staff Writer
“In The Heights”
Now is the time to bring back the musical we all think of when we hear “hip-hop musical about the United States.” “In The Heights” follows bodega owner Usnavi as he searches for a place to live within his community in Washington Heights. Told through energetic dance numbers and songs that substitute a can of Celsius, the musical landed writer Lin-Manuel Miranda his first Tony Award and set him up for “Hamilton’s” massive success. The show made its Broadway debut in March 2008 and ran for over two and a half years, later receiving a film adaptation in 2021.
Still, against the backdrop of issues like New York City’s gentrification and immigration crackdowns, “In The Heights” is as relevant as ever. Imagine the true heights it could reach in today’s sociopolitical landscape with a return to the stage.
— Tanzeel Ahmed, Contributing Writer
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