It’s hard to believe it now, given the collaborative pantheon of Robbins, Bernstein, Laurents, and Sondheim, but West Side Story did not win the Tony for Best Musical in 1957. The Music Man did. Book, music, and lyrics were by one man—Meredith Willson. We can agree that WSS exists in its own exulted space, genius that defies category. But The Music Man is genius, too. And really, isn’t “(Ya Got) Trouble” more fun than “Gee Office Krupke!,” and “Goodnight, My Someone” more poignant than “Maria”? With Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster as Harold Hill and Marion Paroo, it’s all aboard to River City—with bells on! —L.J.
This is going to be a hot show and tickets are on sale now. Previews begin on December 20, 2021, and opening night is February 10, 2022.