Broadway Palm's new season: 'Mary Poppins,' Agatha Christie and more
Break out your sleuthing caps: The classic mystery “Murder on the Orient Express” is bringing death on the railways to Broadway Palm.
It’s a rare non-musical happening on the mainstage at the Fort Myers dinner theater. But don’t worry, musical lovers: There are plenty of toe-tapping shows in Broadway Palm’s recently announced 2023-24 season, too.
Other season highlights include the musicals “Hairspray,” “The Addams Family,” “Mary Poppins” and “Elvis: A Musical Revolution.” Plus, as usual, you’ll find plenty of non-musicals in the smaller Off Broadway Palm theater, including the romantic comedy “Perfect Wedding” and the farce “Run For Your Wife.”
Tickets for Broadway Palm's 31st-annual season are on sale now. They range from $55-$95 (plus applicable taxes and fees).
Here’s a closer look at what’s happening in 2023-24. All shows are on the mainstage unless otherwise noted.
'Murder on the Orient Express' (Aug. 18-Sept. 16)
Broadway Palm usually does nothing but musicals on its main stage. Now it’s trying something different: A stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s much-loved murder mystery, “Murder on the Orient Express.”
The show was a big success at Broadway Palm’s sister theater, The Dutch Apple, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The story ― adapted into a 2017 movie starring Johnny Depp, Judi Dench and more ― involves an American tycoon stabbed to death on a passenger train. Everyone is a suspect, and detective Hercule Poirot is on the case.
'Hairspray' (Sept. 22-Oct. 28)
The 1960s return in this hit Broadway musical that racked up eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. A lovable, plus-sized teen gets the chance to dance on the popular Corny Collins TV show — much to the chagrin of the reigning teen queen.
'Popcorn Falls' (Oct. 11-Nov. 18 in the Off Broadway Palm)
Two actors play more than 20 roles in this farce about a sleepy American town forced into bankruptcy when its namesake waterfall dries up. Their only hope: Open a theatre, put on a play and save the town.
'Elf the Musical' (Nov. 10-Dec. 25)
The musical version of the popular Christmas movie returns to Broadway Palm. Raised in the North Pole, Buddy doesn’t realize he’s actually a human, not one of Santa’s elves. He soon journeys to New York to find his true identity.
'A Doublewide, Texas Christmas' (Nov. 23–Dec. 25, 2023, in the Off Broadway Palm)
In the holiday-themed sequel to the popular comedy “Doublewide, Texas,” mobile-home residents try taking on government officials over the future of their tiny Texas town.
'Elvis: A Musical Revolution' (Dec. 30, 2023-Feb. 17, 2024)
The official Elvis Presley “bio-musical” takes audiences from The King’s childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his triumphant “‘68 Comeback Special” and beyond.
It’s packed with beloved rock hits, including “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Burning Love,” “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Suede Shoes.”
'Run For Your Wife' (Jan. 11-Feb. 25, 2024 in the Off Broadway Palm)
A London cab driver leads two separate lives with two separate wives in this Ray Cooney farce. He sees one in the morning and one at night. Then he’s mugged and police return him to the wrong home at the wrong time. Hilarity ensues.
'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical' (Feb. 23-April 6, 2024)
The Tony and Grammy winner tells the inspiring true story of the singer-songwriter behind '70s hits such as “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “It’s Too Late.”
'The Sweet Delilah Swim Club' (Feb. 29-April 14, 2024, in the Off Broadway Palm)
A touching comedy about five Southern women who meet at the same beach house each summer to relax, laugh, rekindle their friendship and help each other through their changing lives.
'The Addams Family' (April 12-May 25, 2024)
2010 Broadway musical based on the creepy, kooky family from the 1960s TV show and the popular movie franchise. One of those characters, the young Wednesday Addams, is now the star of a hit Netflix TV series.
'Perfect Wedding' (April 18–May 19, 2024 in the Off Broadway Palm)
A romantic comedy set in the honeymoon suite of a country-house hotel, where a groom wakes up on his wedding morning with a strange, attractive woman in bed with him. Complicating things: His bride is due to arrive at any minute.
'Swing!' (May 31-June 22, 2024)
This 1999 musical celebrates the jumping, jiving Big Band Era with lots of dancing, singing and timeless songs such as “In The Mood,” “Sing Sing Sing” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got that Swing.”
'Mary Poppins' (June 28-August 10, 2024)
The magical flying nanny returns to Broadway Palm. The stage version of the movie classic is filled with cherished songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”
− For more information, call 278-4422 or visit broadwaypalm.com.
— Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. For news tips or other entertainment-related matters, call him at 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. You can also connect with him on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Broadway Palm's new season: 'Mary Poppins,' Agatha Christie and more
