2003
2003 was an exciting year for new musicals, with big budget shows such as Wicked and Taboo fighting more modest productions such as Avenue Q for the prestigious Tony. Revivals of classic shows fared well, as well as classic plays beginning the trend for celebrity casting.
2003 on Broadway
“Something Wicked this way comes…” In 2003 Broadway was ready to accept the global phenomenon that would be Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked as it moved into the Gershwin Theatre in October, after a tryout production in San Francisco. Based on the 1995 novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ the musical challenged the story of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, by telling audiences ‘a lot happened before Dorothy dropped in…’ Starring the spunky Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Joel...
read more2003 West End
The biggest news of 2003 came as Trevor Nunn stepped down from his position as Artistic Director of the National Theatre, handing over the glory to Nicholas Hytner. Nunn continued to be represented in the West End as his production of Anything Goes found a home north of the river at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Starring John Barrowman and Sally Ann Triplett, the production set sail in September, featuring the same set, cast and creative team. Hytner was keen to prove his worth, mounting a string of new productions at the Southbank venue....
read more2003 Awards
The 2003 Award Season offered no shocking results this year, with new musical Hairspray taking home the award for Best Musical. Although Twyla Tharp’s show didn’t do as well as expected, her choreography was praised for Movin’ Out. Billy Joel opened the ceremony, performing a medley of songs from Times Square, including the title track from the musical. One of the best performances of the evening came from Bernadette Peters as she performed ‘Roses’ Turn’ from the 2003 revival of Gypsy, a clip of which can be...
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