Three Closing Broadway Shows

Broadway theaters in New York will bid (or will have already bid) farewell to three long-running musicals by early June. Closed in December: The Drowsy Chaperone. Closed in January: The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee. Closing in June: Rent.

After 12 Years, Rent is Due

“Rent” exploded on the New York theatrical scene off-Broadway in January 1996 and quickly moved to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre. Audiences and critics alike were taken with Jonathan Larson's portrayal of life in New York's East Village among artists who were struggling; friends who had sold out; and terminally-ill young people who were living for today. Based on the opera La Boheme, Larson's rock score drew a new generation of young theater goers to New York.

Not only was the show thematically and musically innovative - a resurrection of the musical genre for a new generation - even its location was a resurrection of sorts. Moving south of 42nd Street, “Rent” opened on Broadway in a previously derelict theater on 41st, the Nederlander. And there it has been, entertaining audiences for 12 years.

The show launched several careers, including: Idina Menzel, who went on to when a Tony Award as Elphaba in “Wicked;” Taye Diggs, a movie and television star (and now married to Menzel); Jesse L. Martin, of TV's “Law & Order.”

In addition to inspiring a recent film version, the Broadway “Rent” took home four Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Score, for Larson and Best Musical. Additionally, Larson was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Larson died tragically and unexpectedly just before the off-Broadway run was to have begun, but his legacy has been more than to entertain and inspire through his musicals. Through the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation many aspiring musical theater composers, lyricists and writers have received financial support in pursuit of their passion.

Rent closes June 1. Tickets are available here.

Spelling Bee Hears the Bell

The final bell rang Jan. 20 at Circle in the Square Theatre for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” In this hilarious, one-act show, several audience members were selected each performance to join a cast of middle-school misfits on stage and then to fight off elimination as they vied for a chance to advance to the National Spelling Bee. With adults playing the roles of young teenagers, “Spelling Bee” gave audience members always funny and often poignant insight into the mind of the typical terrified middle-schooler.

Another off-Broadway transfer, “Spelling Bee,” opened in January 1995 at Second Stage Theatre and moved to Circle in the Square in April of that year. Based on the Rebecca Felder play “C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E,” the show featured music and lyrics by Tony Award-winning composer William Finn and a book by Rachel Scheinkin. Sheinkin won the 1995 Tony for Best Book of a Musical.