“Billy Elliot,” by Joan Marcus
Earlier hits
Broadway turned out a number of hits in the past five years, several of which launched tours in 2010 that are still going strong. One of the most celebrated is “Billy Elliot,” a musical based on the 2000 film of the same name.
Featuring a score by Elton John, the musical follows a young British boy as he discovers a love of dancing and invigorates his small-town coal-mining community. The musical has been massively successful, winning 10 Tony Awards, including the 2009 award for best musical.
Also based on a popular movie, “Young Frankenstein” played on Broadway from 2007 through 2009 before making the transition to a national touring production. Comedy genius Mel Brooks created the movie of the same name in the 1970s and wrote the music, lyrics and much of the book for the stage version as well.
The plot follows grandsons of the original Frankenstein and Igor as they attempt to create their own monster. Brooks wrote 20 new songs for the musical, which also incorporates a classic tune by Irving Berlin.
A number of classic shows are working the touring circuit, among them “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Les Miserables,” “West Side Story,” “South Pacific” and “Cats.”
Also touring are some of the runaway hits of the last decade, such as “Mama Mia,” “The Lion King,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “Wicked,” “Jersey Boys” and “Mary Poppins.”
For more information about touring shows, schedules and group ticketing, visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.
