Broadway To London: 9 shows we want to see transfer in 2018

Broadway Hits We Want To See Transfer To The West End in 2018

You might think the West End is awash with Broadway shows, but unfortunately we only see a fraction of top Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and even then we might have to wait years (it took Dreamgirls 35 years) for the show to transfer to London.

Whilst we’re not holding our breath, here’s a list of Broadway shows we’d like to see transfer in 2018.

1. The Little Foxes starring Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon.

The Little Foxes with Laura Linney & Cynthia Nixon

It’s not often you get see two A-list actresses alternate lead roles in a classic American drama. Director Daniel Sullivan’s choice to have Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon and Laura Linney (Truman Show) both play ‘Regina’ and ‘Birdie’ in Lillian Hellman’s brilliant, blistering indictment of a rapacious southern family at war with itself has certainly paid off.

The Little Foxes opened to rave reiews with both actresses receiving Tony Award nominations (Nixon won).

2. Dear Evan Hansen

A captivating new and original musical that swept the 2017 Tony Awards, winning six of its nine nominations including Best Musical, Best Actor and Best Score.

Dear Evan Hansen is about a lonely teenager who inadvertently becomes a social media sensation despite his popularity being founded on a web of lies. With a score from La La Land’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul you’ll come out humming more than one great song.

Update: DEAR EVAN HANSEN to open in London with performances from 29 October 2019 at the Noel Coward Theatre, London.

Book tickets to DEAR EVAN HANSEN

3. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

natasha pierre & the great comet of 1812 — Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812

‘A musical cannonball unlike anything else on Broadway’ so says The Guardian. With 12 Tony nominations including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, Best Actor and Best Actress – Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 is definitely worthy of a West End transfer.

Based on 70 pages of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, Dave Malloy’s sung-through musical focuses on Natasha’s affair with Anatole and Pierre’s search for meaning in his life.

Described as an ‘electro-pop opera’ Malloy’s score combines Russian folk and classical music with indie rock and EDM influences.

4. Hello, Dolly!

Bette Midler is undoubtedly the star attraction in this energetic revival of Jerry Herman’s 1964 musical comedy.

Jerry Herman’s score abounds with catchy songs (Put on Your Sunday Clothes; It Only Takes a Moment; and Hello, Dolly!) and Warren Carlyle’s choreography combined with Santo Loquasto’s set and comstume is a feast for the eyes.

But it’s always about The Divine Miss M, and her Tony Award winning performance as meddlesome mathcmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi in this old school musical is captivating.

5. War Paint

Broadway icons Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole star as rival cosmetic queens Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden in this new musical from Doug Wright (book), Scott Frankel (music) Michael Korie (lyrics).

War Paint showcases LuPone’s thrilling rich full-throttle belt and Ebersole’s etheral, suple, silvery soprano voice. There aren’t that many great roles for older woman in musical theatre, and with Bette taking Hello, Dolly! and Imelda Staunton currently owning Momma Rose in Gypsy – this is the perfect show to see two famed actresses.

6. The Doll’s House, Part 2

Tony Award winner and star of 90’s sitcom Roseanne Laurie Metcalf plays Nora Helmer in Lucas Hnath’s brisk and brainy sequel of Henrik Ibsen’s 1898 masterwork A Doll’s House.

A Doll’s House, Part 2, begins with that same door, but it trades the climactic slam for a resolute knock. Those rapping knuckles belong to Nora (Laurie Metcalf), who has returned to the home of Torvald, her former husband, after a 15-year absence. The play received eight 2017 Tony Award nominations including Best Play, Best Director and Best Actress which Metcalf won.

A Doll’s House, Part 2 is directed by Sam Gold and written by Lucas Hnath.

7. Groundhog Day The Musical

Groundhog Day received its world premiere at the Old Vic in 2016 and promtply transferred to Broadway. It’s time to bring this hit musical comedy from Matthew Warchus and Tim Minchin, the creative team behind Matilda The Musical, back for a full West End season.

Based on the hit 1993 film starring Billy Murray, Groundhog Day is the story of a cynical TV weatherman who is sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in an isolated small town of America. When he suddenly finds himself caught in a time loop, he’s forced to repeat the same day again and again…and again.

8. Waitress

Nominated for 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical, this feel-good Broadway musical is based on the hit 2007 indie film Waitress. With the smell of baked pies wafting into the audience and and tunes from American singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles in your ear Waitress will leave you with a warm glow.

UPDATE: 24 September 2018. Waitress will begin pre-view performances on 8 February 2019 ahead of its official opening night on 7 March 2019 at the Adelphi Theatre, London.

Book tickets to Waitress

9. Fun Home

Winner of five 2015 Tony Awards includingBest Musical. Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes, a blazingly original heartbreaker and a nonstop treasure of invention.