"Once On This Island" (Ohio Premiere): Oct. 22-27
We start off the shows swinging with "Once On This Island", a one-act musical written by Lynn Ahrens with music composed by Stephen Flaherty. Winning the award for Best Revival at the 2018 Tony Awards, the story involves a peasant girl named Ti Moune who, guided by the four gods of a tropical island, falls for an upper-class gentleman.
From what I've heard, this is a fantastic musical and I'm certainly glad that it's coming to the Dayton area. I'd give this show a 68 percent anticipation rating!
"Spongebob Squarepants: The Musical" (Ohio Premiere): Nov. 19-24
Based on the hit Nickelodeon television show, the "Spongebob Squarepants" musical was written by Kyle Jarrow and includes songs written by various artists, ranging from Sara Bareilles to Panic! At The Disco and even the late David Bowie. In the musical, Spongebob and his friends must save their town of Bikini Bottom when a volcano threatens to destroy it.
When I first heard about this musical, I was skeptical since I grew up on the television show. However, after reading reviews and listening to the soundtrack, I'm ecstatic to see it here in Dayton. I'll give this an 80 percent anticipation rating.
"Rent" 20th Anniversary Tour:
Jan. 21-26, 2020
525,600 minutes. That's how long a year is, and almost how long we'll have to wait for "Rent" to hit the Dayton stage again. Written by the late Jonathan Larson and based on the Puccini opera "La Boheme", "Rent" follows a group of artists in New York trying to get by during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The show was also made into a film in 2005.
I have only seen the movie version of "Rent", though I do enjoy the show. This show receives a 73 percent anticipation rating, since I'm more familiar with the musical.
"Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" (Regional Premiere): Mar. 31-Apr. 5
A tribute to the late Donna Summer, "Summer", written by Colman Domingo, Robert Cary, and Des McAnuff, is a biographical musical following the story of its namesake. Using three different lead actresses portraying different eras of Summer, the show packs in plenty of her hits from "Bad Girls" to "Hot Stuff" and everything in between.
I'm intrigued by the concept, so I'll give this a 70 percent anticipation rating.
"Charlie And The Chocolate Factory" (Local Premiere): Apr. 28-May 3, 2020
This is probably the show I'm most familiar with, having seen a small production locally and both the Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder movie versions. Based on Roald Dahl's 1964 book of the same name, the show follows Charlie Bucket and four other children as they score golden tickets to tour Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
I do enjoy the show and I'm excited to see how it plays out on a big stage. I'll give this a 71 percent anticipation rating.
"Cats": May 26-31, 2020
Finally we come to "Cats", Sit Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary musical about, you guessed it, cats! In the show, a group of cats called the Jellicles must decide which cats will ascend to heaven and come back to Earth born anew.
They say all dogs go to heaven, but it seems that not all cats do! I am excited to see this production; since the concept intrigues me, I'll give it a 68 percent anticipation rating!
My Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it! These six shows are coming to Dayton next year, and each will bring its own style of quirkiness and fun!
Which musical are you most excited to see? Are you hoping for any other premieres to come in the next announced season? Do you think we'll get Broadway showstoppers like "Hamilton", "Heathers", or "Be More Chill"? Feel free to leave a comment below!
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