Today, August 11th, begins the chain reaction of Broadway shows closing in the next few months, leading with Be More Chill, which opened earlier this year, and the Prom, which had about a year-long run. Next Sunday, we say farewell to the Cher Show, King Kong, and Pretty Woman. But as for right now, two shows that meant a lot to a lot of people are going up for the last time.
Beginning with Be More Chill, a show that has one of the biggest fanbases out there and is one of the “Golden Four” along with Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Heathers. Fitting in that category, it’s a show with a mainly teenage demographic. Written by Joe Iconis, the show’s journey is impressive-many of the cast members have remained from the workshop to the Off-Broadway and now the Lyceum Theater. So the closing of this show is hitting hard for a lot of teens, as it left an impact on many and even saved the lives of some.
Now for The Prom, which saved many other people for a completely different reason. The show paved the way for LGBTQ+ respresentation. Now, saying that is blatant erasure of shows like Fun Home and Falsettos, but that’s not what I’m trying to do. What I mean is the initial responses were better in the community than those shows were originally and personally, I like this show a lot more in general than Fun Home, which is the fandom’s main rival for the Prom. It also had the first ever LGBTQ+ kiss on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Many people across the nation have gotten hope for their situations from the triumph of Emma and Alyssa. So, thank you, Prom, for giving people a safe space.
With all that being said, I’m not sure these shows were quite ready for Broadway- they just don’t sit on the same level as the smash hits in other theaters. I don’t mean to drag either in any way, since they’re still wonderful pieces of art, but if they had waited a couple more years, they could have made the show even better and last longer on the Great White Way. Nonetheless, it’s tragic to see such well-loved shows leave us.
On a brighter note, I saw the Rafiki Tour of Lion King on Friday! I tend to throw around the word ‘masterpiece’ a lot, and now I realize how much I needed to rethink my vocabulary choice. I don’t think I really knew the definition of the word until I saw the sheer spectacle that is Lion King. Seriously, if you ever get the chance to see it, ONE HUNDRED PERCENT DO IT. You will absolutely not regret it. It’s truly just beautiful. ❤
Bella's Broadway Blog 