Let’s say this up front:
“Broadway in Hawaii,” the trio of musicals from the Great White Way, will generally be a mature-audience proposition next year.
Here’s the roster:
- “Tina: the Tina Turner Musical,” April 22 to 27.
- “Six,” June 17 to 29.
- “Chicago,” Dec. 2 to 7.
Here’s the outlook:
The shows will be staged at the still-under-renovations Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Two productions — “Tina” and “Chicago” — will be in residency for one week only, with eight performances Tuesdays through Sundays (Monday is dark).
The third show, “Six,” will play two weeks, for a total of 16 performances.
So some judgement will need to be exercised regarding children: will the young kiddies stay at home or with grandma? The 2025 fare is geared to adults; based on Broadway recommendations, the fare is unquestionably for mature audiences, but youths 10 to 14 or older may attend with guidance.
“Throughout the years of producing Broadway shows in Honolulu, it’s clearthat Honolulu deserves to be a regular stop for touring Broadway in North America,” said Steve Boulay, COO of MagicSpace, which is the show presenter. “The success of ‘Hamilton,’ and the rest of our 2022-2023 season, put the spotlight on Hawaii once again.”
Here’s the summary of each show:
A musical with book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins.
What: A musical biography of the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Tina Turner, who was a nobody from Nutbush, Tenn., who became a somebody with such global hits as “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and “River Deep, Mountain High.”
Advisory: contains scenes of domestic violence, racist language, and gunshots; Tina endures a life of physical and emotional violence from her first husband and artistic collaborator Ike Turner and the senseless injustices of society.
Summary: More than a jukebox musical; a glimpse of a fighter who withstands societal injustices to succeed as a rock and r&b legend.
A musical inspired by the actual angry six wives of Henry VIII
What: A modern retelling of the exes of the King of England– Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Paar –who unite to perform in pop concert/competition, to express their husband’s numerous affairs and injustices towards women. Thus, the Tudor queens transform into popsters. With book, music and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.
Advisory: A whole lotta bitching opens eyes and ears; misery loves company.
Summary: The exes challenge each other but learn there’s strength in unity, in an era where men ruled; so their idiosyncratic songs and styles strengthen their places in British history. The contention is that if you raise your voice, you heighten your impact.
A musical with razzle-dazzle, now the second longest Broadway show.
What: A legendary production with iconic choreography by the late Bob Fosse, and a jazz-blues songbook by John Kander and Fred Ebb. A tale with heart and humor, about Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two murderesses on trial for their crimes.
Advisory: Contains violence and adult language and themes, and a satirical send-up of celebrity culture, sex, crime, justice, dishonesty and prejudice. Not recommended for youths under 13.
Summary: The current Broadway revival places the orchestra on stage; online reviews about touring “Chicago” companies aren’t specific about the musicians’ presence. The Fosse/Kander-Ebb connection is the reason to go; the classic score includes “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle,” “Mr. Cellophane,” “Class,” “When You’re Good to Mama,” and “Cell Bock Tango.”
For season tickets for the trio of shows – from $200 – visit
“Cabaret” leaps to No. 3 in week ending Sept. 15
There’s been a switch of rankings – “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”—jumped to No. 3 in the weekly Broadway grosses. “Wicked” still is No.1, followed by “The Lion King” at No. 2.
The Top 10:
1—”Wicked,” $1,831 million
2—“The Lion King,” $1,791 million
3—”Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club,” $1,674 million
4—”Hamilton,” $1,628 million
5—”Hell’s Kitchen,” $1,528 million
6—”MJ the Musical,” $1,376 million
7—”Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,314 million
8—”The Outsiders,” $1,283 million
9—”Aladdin,” $1,131 million
10—”The Great Gatsby,” $1,107 million
The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:
And that’s Show Biz…