Best Musicals of 2016
The top 12 musicals of 2016 in Chicago by Tom Williams
12. Spring Awakening at Marriott Theatre
Marriott Proves It’s a Home for Art with Spring Awakening
11. The Man who Murdered Sherlock Holmes at Mercury Theatre
It took twenty years to emerge, but the wait was worth it as The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes, now playing at the Mercury Theater in a world premiere, is a theatrical treat! John Reeger’s clever book features Sir Arthur Conan Doyle actually investigating a crime after he “kills off ” Holmes in his latest story.
10. Crazy For You at Drury Lane Theatre
. Crazy For You demonstrates the magic of Gershwin tunes as well the joys of old fashion musical comedy. It is extremely family entertainment for the holidays.
9. Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Drury Lane Theater
Fabulous staging with high energy cast makes this revue is a sure fire hit.
8. The Producers at the Mercury Theater
Hyper-fun and in-your-face satire rules
7. In The Heights by Porchlight Music Theatre
High energy and vocally strong production of In The Heights awaits.
6. Haymarket: the Anarchist’s Songbook
Powerful story of Chicago’s infamous Haymarket massacre soars in a tuneful folk musical.
5. Wonderful Town at Goodman Theatre
Wonderful score by Leonard Bernstein with clever lyrics by Comden & Green with whip-smart direction by Mary Zimmerman and sensational choreography by Alex Sanchez add up to one of the finest Broadway musical comedy to hit a Chicago stage in years!
4. West Side Story at Paramount Theatre
Stunning production of West Side Story wonderfully sung and danced
3. Dreamgirls by Porchlight Music Theatre
Fast-paced, well sung and emotional look into the world of R & B
2. Man of La Mancha at Marriott Theatre
Bowling’s Man of La Mancha is a major artistic success! It’s emotional core is so truthful that our empathy is deeply felt and the glowing message reaches into our being. This is the finest production that I have ever witnessed of Man of La Mancha!
Stunning hip-hop/rap opera is an amazing theatrical experience!