That’s it, my friends, put 2013 in the record books.  Another 525,600 minutes have passed us by.  How did Broadway measure a year in its life?

Every year I do just that . . . and take a nostalgic look back at the past 365 days and share with you my Top 10 Broadway moments.

And I’m not straying from tradition this year!  So here goes . . . and please note, these are in no particular order . . . well, they are in the order that I thought of them . . . so I guess that’s a particular order of some sort, but not an important order or anything . . . and I’m going to shut up right now and just get to it.

1.  The Tony Awards Are Back Where They Belong.

You remember freshman year of college?  And how great it felt to go home for that first Thanksgiving?  Sure you weren’t away that long, but man it felt like an eternity.  That’s what I felt like when Broadway came back to Radio City this past year.   We’re just too big and too cool for anywhere else.

2.  NYC Theater Goes Immersive.

Immersive Entertainment planted its flag in the NYC theater scene in 2013 and judging by the critical and popular reception of shows like Here Lies Love; Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812; Murder Ballad and more, it’s here to stay.   Just imagine what theater might look like and where it might be located in 10 years?

3.  Wonder Women Take Home The Trophies.

Broadway Directors used to be much more of an old boys club, and even a young boys club more than a woman-of-any-age-club.  One of my favorite moments this year was when not one woman, but two, took home the Best Director Tony Awards.  Congrats again to Diane Paulus (Best Director for Pippin) and Pam McKinnon (Best Director for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?).  You just inspired a lot of other female directors to do what you do.

4.  TEDxBroadway Turned Two.

The 2nd time you do something is always the big test.  Will it be as good as the first?  Will people show up again?  Could it be even better?   The 2nd TEDxBroadway was a massive success and not only helped answer its theme question, “What’s the best Broadway can be?” but it also answered this question, “Will there be a 3rd TEDxBroadway?”  Not only will there be a third (on 2/24/14), but I’d predict you’ll see a 10th.

5.  How Many Million Again?

22.  That’s right.  After a final count, 22 million people tuned in to watch NBC’s The Sound of Music with Carrie Underwood.  Despite the controversy over her performance, this 2013 event did more for Broadway in 3 hours than most of our marketing initiatives could do in two ten years.  And there’s a chance that next year’s “Best Broadway Moments” will include this similar shout-out . . .  because NBC already agreed to produce another musical.

6.  The Ultimate Underdog.

Two words.  Kinky Boots.

Proving the theory that there is never, ever a sure thing, Kinky Boots opened on Broadway in the spring of 2013 and surprised everyone when it beat Matilda, the massive favorite for the Best Musical Tony Award.  And the cherry on top of the Kinky sundae?  It also recouped in 30 weeks.

7.  How Many Years Will It Run?

The first phenom show of the 2000s was that very, very, green show known as Wicked.  And in 2013, that little show celebrated its 10th anniversary . . . and based on what I see, there is no end in sight.  In 2013, Universal Studios also went on the record stating that Wicked would be its most profitable property of all time, beating movies, theme parks and more.  You don’t have to like Wicked to have its 10th anniversary on your Best Broadway Moments List . . . but it should be there, because success like this helps us all.  Ironically, the show that Wicked is chasing in the longest running show race . . . Phantom . . . celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.

8.  This Author Just Might Be Going Somewhere.

Shakespeare is back with a vengeance, having a #*$%-ton of shows on Broadway in 2013!  There were two Macbeths, a Twelfth Night, R&J, Richard III, not to mention the Julie Taymor Midsummer Night’s Dream and a bunch more.  That Bill guy is going places . . . if he actually wrote the plays, that is.

9.  Barry is Back!

Ok, so maybe I’m a little biased because I’m a Fanilow, but just hear me out as to why I think Barry Manilow on Broadway was one of Broadway’s Best moments in 2013.  Barry’s show represented a new model . . . like The Rascals and other short term engagements in our recent past . . . and new models are always good.  Filling our theaters, giving work to our people, when there are no other shows to give them work, is good for everyone.  And if you know all the words to “Copacabana,” well, then win-win.

So that’s it . . .

Wait.  You think I missed something, don’t you?  I didn’t.  Yes, I promised you The 10 Best Broadway Moments of 2013.  But you’re going to provide the 10th.

In the comments below tell me your Best Broadway Moment of the last twelve months!

 

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