Features

12 reasons to be jealous of Broadway right now

From Emma Stone to Anne Hathaway, ”Aladdin” to ”Finding Neverland”, we can’t help but be green with envy about the Great White Way

Here in the WhatsOnStage office we often find ourselves envying our colleagues across the pond at TheaterMania.

Alongside Disney World, the Great White Way is truly one of the most magical places on the earth, and whilst we never take for granted how lucky we are to be on the doorstep of the West End, here's some of the reasons we're currently jealous of our American counterparts.

1. Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson in Constellations

Ruth Wilson and Jake Gyllenhaal
Ruth Wilson and Jake Gyllenhaal
© David Gordon

What we would give to see Ruth and Jake, together, on stage, in a Nick Payne play. Delightful.

2. Anne Hathaway in Grounded

Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway

The Les Miserables star who broke hearts with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" will play a fighter pilot turned drone operator in this play by George Brant which won a Fringe First Award in 2013.

3. Bradley Cooper in Elephant Man

Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper
(© Joan Marcus)

It's just been announced that the production will close early to allow American Sniper star Cooper to attend the Oscars. Fair enough.

4. School of Rock the Musical

School of Rock
School of Rock

How long have we been asking for this? And ALW goes and takes it Stateside first? Thanks Andrew!

5. Lin ' In The Heights ' Manuel Miranda's new musical Hamilton

Lin Manuel Miranda (Centre)
© David Gordon

In the Heights was one of our highlights of last year so we can't wait for this to make its way over.

6. Uzo Aduba in Broadway Miscast

Uzo Aduba
Uzo Aduba

The one-off concert also features Laura Benanti, Jeremy Jordan and Ramin Karimloo. Right, I'm booking my flights…

7. Idina Menzel in If/Then

Idina Menzel in If/Then
Idina Menzel in If/Then
© Joan Marcus

From Maureen to Elphaba, Elsa to Elizabeth, Idina may have been on the end of some criticism recently, but she remains a true musical theatre legend in our eyes.

8. Emma Stone and Alan Cumming in Cabaret

Emma Stone and Alan Cumming in Cabaret
Emma Stone and Alan Cumming in Cabaret
© David Gordon

She may be leaving the show soon but she'll be replaced by Sienna Miller which is still something to be jealous about.

9. Aladdin

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie in Aladdin
James Monroe Iglehart as Genie in Aladdin
© Cylla von Tiedemann

Rumour has it that it won't be long before this musical adaptation of the Disney classic arrives in the West End. We can't wait, which is obvious from our recent dream casting.

10. Jennifer Hudson in The Color Purple

Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson
© American Broadcasting Companies

The American Idol star has already established herself in the hearts of musical theatre fans worldwide with her performance in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls opposite Beyoncé, but the Broadway transfer of the Menier Chocolate Factory's The Color Purple will be her Broadway debut. If they take Cynthia Erivo over with them then we might just move to NYC.

11. Kinky Boots

Andy Kelso and Billy Porter in Kinky Boots
Andy Kelso and Billy Porter in Kinky Boots

This jealousy will be short-lived as Kinky Boots is slotted to receive its West End premiere very soon.

12. Finding Neverland

Kelsey Grammer, Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly
Kelsey Grammer, Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly

It didn't quite work when it opened at the Leicester Curve in 2012, but now it has a whole host of new talent on board including our very own Gary Barlow and is tipped to be a huge success. That's it, we're off to NYC….