Playhouse Square Broadway series includes 'MJ,' launch of 'Back to the Future' tour

Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Playhouse Square announced its 2023-24 KeyBank Broadway Series on Tuesday, featuring the launch of the North American tour of "Back to the Future," the pre-Broadway tour of "The Wiz" and "MJ," the musical that celebrates the creativity and collaborative spirit of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop.

The seven-show season was announced on New Day Cleveland on Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.

Craig Hassall, Playhouse Square's new president and CEO, praised the loyalty of Playhouse Square's more than 44,000 annual season theatergoers.

"Your enthusiasm and knowledge rival that of audiences anywhere in the world," he said.

More:Genie homecoming in 'Aladdin' a blast for Akron native Marcus Martin

David Greene, senior vice president of programming, said Playhouse Square has the largest Broadway season ticket community in North America. He promised a season that includes plenty of nostalgia for multiple generations as well as new spins on familiar titles.

The full season Playhouse Square season for 2023-24

● "The Wiz," Oct. 3 to 22. Cleveland will be one of the first cities in the country to host a pre-Broadway stop of this musical, which will have a limited Broadway run in spring, 2024. The musical, a groundbreaking twist on "The Wizard of Oz," has an iconic score featuring soul, gospel, rock and funk, including the timeless hit "Ease on Down the Road." This revival infuses ballet, jazz and modern pop for a whole new groove.

● "Girl From the North Country," Oct. 31 to Nov. 19. The Tony Award-winning musical reimagines 20 legendary songs by Bob Dylan to tell the 1934 story of a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in 1934 Duluth, Minnesota. Written and directed by Conor McPherson, the show features Tony-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale of Dylan hits including "Forever Young" and "Like a Rolling Stone."

"Girl From the North Country" will run at Playhouse Square Oct. 31 through Nov. 19. Baldwin Wallace University graduates Caitlin Houlahan and Colton Ryan are pictured from the Broadway show.
"Girl From the North Country" will run at Playhouse Square Oct. 31 through Nov. 19. Baldwin Wallace University graduates Caitlin Houlahan and Colton Ryan are pictured from the Broadway show.

● "Mrs. Doubtfire,"  Jan. 9 to 28, 2024. Based on the beloved film, the musical tells the story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids, even pose as a Scottish nanny. The family-friendly comedy is directed by Jerry Zaks.

The musical comedy "Mrs. Doubtfire" will play Jan. 9-28, 2024, at Playhouse Square. Pictured is Rob McClure, who starred as the title character in the original Broadway cast.
The musical comedy "Mrs. Doubtfire" will play Jan. 9-28, 2024, at Playhouse Square. Pictured is Rob McClure, who starred as the title character in the original Broadway cast.

● "Funny Girl," Feb. 20 to March 10, 2024. Fanny Brice, who has always dreamed of a life on stage, becomes one of the most beloved performers in history, despite everyone telling her she'd never be a star. The musical comedy revival features a score with the classic songs "Don't Rain on My Parade," "I'm the Greatest Star" and "People."

The musical comedy "Funny Girl" will run Feb. 20 to March 10, 2024, at Playhouse Square.
The musical comedy "Funny Girl" will run Feb. 20 to March 10, 2024, at Playhouse Square.

● "Company," April 30 to May 19, 2024. The winner of five Tony awards, including best revival of a musical, is a new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's musical comedy. In the revival, gender-swapping has lead Bobbie as a 35-year-old single woman, rather than the original male Bobby, whose friends continually ask her why she hasn't settled down and started a family. Other characters have switched genders, including the man Jamie, originally written as a woman Amy. The musical's iconic Sondheim songs include "Side by Side by Side" and "Being Alive."

The musical "Company" will run April 30 to May 19, 2024, at Playhouse Square. Pictured is Rosalie Craig, center, as Bobbie and the 2018 London cast of "Company."
The musical "Company" will run April 30 to May 19, 2024, at Playhouse Square. Pictured is Rosalie Craig, center, as Bobbie and the 2018 London cast of "Company."

More:Cult Kitchen goes for casual brunch, glorified bar bites from scratch | Local Flavor

● "Back to the Future: The Musical," June 11 to July 7, 2024. Playhouse Square will host the official North American tour opening less than 12 months after the show's Broadway opening in August 2023. The musical, based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, includes hit songs from the movie such as "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time."

Roger Bart as Doc Brown, left, and Olly Dobson as Marty McFly in West End production of "Back to the Future." The musical's North American tour will launch from Playhouse Square in Cleveland June 11 to July 7, 2024.
Roger Bart as Doc Brown, left, and Olly Dobson as Marty McFly in West End production of "Back to the Future." The musical's North American tour will launch from Playhouse Square in Cleveland June 11 to July 7, 2024.

● "MJ," July 16 to Aug. 11, 2024. The Tony Award-winning musical centers around the making of Michael Jackson's 1992 Dangerous World Tour, with direction and Tony-winning choreography by Christopher Wheeldon and a book by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. The musical looks at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that made Jackson a pop legend.

"MJ," whose tour will come to Playhouse Square July 16 to Aug. 11, celebrates the creative mind of the legendary Michael Jackson. Pictured is Myles Frost and the Broadway cast.
"MJ," whose tour will come to Playhouse Square July 16 to Aug. 11, celebrates the creative mind of the legendary Michael Jackson. Pictured is Myles Frost and the Broadway cast.

Season tickets are available from $160 to $750 per seat at 216-640-8800 or playhousesquare.org/broadway.

Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New Playhouse Square season led by 'Back to Future' tour launch, 'MJ'