Broadway in Norfolk That Is – 2022-2023
The company of the 2021-2022 national tour of CATS (Photo By Matthew Murphy, Murphymade)
Words by Penny Neef. Images as credited.
It feels great to be back in a theater, with an audience, which cannot be replicated by anything virtual- this shared experience- and with musicians, cast, and crew who are thrilled to be back too.
I was happy to listen to the Jerusalem string quartet playing at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, a small, but beautiful setting. I was happy to cheer on the talented, high school performers of Governor’s School for the Arts as they dance and sing their way through Legally Blond, the musical, at Susan S. Goode Performing Arts Center, a lovely stage at Virginia Wesleyan University. Off the topic, but did I mention my granddaughter will be attending GSA next fall?
Most of all, I am happy to get myself to Chrysler Hall in Norfolk for as many of the Broadway in Norfolk shows as possible. I love a big, showy musical, and there are some great ones coming for the 2022-2023 season.
Jennafer Newberry as Glinda and Lissa deGuzman as Elphaba in the National Tour of WICKED,
photo by Joan Marcus
First , the “untold true story of the Witches of Oz”, Wicked, is on stage from September 14 – 25 this year. Wicked is technically part of the 2021-2022 season, but you can buy tickets for this wildly popular musical beginning on May 20 here.
The official 2022-2023 season of Broadway in Norfolk 2022-2023 kicks off with Dear Evan Hansen from November 8 – 13, 2022. This will be the Norfolk premiere of this “deeply personal and profoundly contemporary musical about life and the way we live it.”
Stephen Christopher Anthony as 'Evan Hansen' and the North American touring company of DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Photo by Matthew Murphy, 2019
Evan is a bullied high school senior who tries to write letters of encouragement to himself each day. These letters lead to a huge misunderstanding and all sorts of complications that Evan must sort out. Dear Evan Hansen won 6 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score.
Next up is Cats from February 7 – 12, 2023. If you haven’t heard of Cats, then I’m not sure where you’ve been hiding out since 1981. Check this out to refresh your memory:
Come From Away will be on the Chrysler Hall stage from February 28 – March 5, 2023. Nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2017, including Best Musical, Come From Away tells the true story of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, who sheltered over 7,000 stranded airline passengers following the September 11 attacks. This show is all about adaptability and human kindness.
The North American Tour of Come From Away Photo Credit Matthew Murphy
Then comes the blockbuster of all blockbusters, returning to Norfolk for the second time from March 28 – April 9, 2023. Hamilton is back to tell the story of “America then, told by America now.” It was wonderful the first time around. I’m betting it will be just as wonderful this time.
Company- HAMILTON National Tour - (c) Joan Marcus 2021
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this production of Jesus Christ Superstar
won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. Totally Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice, totally classic rock, it is all about the final days of the original superstar, Jesus Christ. You don’t need to be a believer to love this big, showy, show of shows.
Paul Louis Lessard in the North American Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.
Photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman
Season tickets for Broadway in Norfolk 2022 – 2023 are on sale now, right here!
You can purchase a season ticket for as low as $263.00. What a gift for someone you love, including yourself.