THE BOOK OF MORMONProfane? Probably. Outrageous? Definitely. Not to be missed? You bet. If you are a fan of South Park, and possibly think creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are the satirical geniuses of our time, you're going to want to see this new musical comedy. They co-wrote it, songs and book, with composer input from Avenue Q's Robert Lopez; and Parker co-directs with Drowsy Chaperone's Casey Nicholaw, who also handles the choreography. The plot follows a pair of Mormon lads, sent on a religious mission to Uganda, to spread the gospel, as many young Mormons are required to do. That may be the script's last touch with reality. There are plenty of songs and dances, with lyrics you've never heard on a Broadway stage. No bleeping here.
The Eugene O'Neill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St., (212) 239-6200. Tickets at telecharge.com. Previews Feb. 24, opens Mar. 24.
GHETTO KLOWN
From his days growing up in Queens, to his time spent on the Lower East Side at P.S. 122, where he broke through as a comic monologist, to his ascent to Hollywood and beyond as an actor in major movies, John Leguizamo remains the wise, scrappy Latino New Yorker who can get audiences howling with his stories about himself, his family, and his run-ins with the rest of the world. This show promises to be more about his fellow show business stars and celebrities, but his track record (Mambo Mouth, Spic-O-Rama, Freak and Sexaholic) speaks for itself. Fisher Stevens directs.
Lyceum Theatre, 149 W. 45th St., (212) 239-6200. Tickets at telecharge.com. Previews Feb. 21, opens Mar. 22.
THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON
This is a play written by Jason Miller, an actor who went on to play the young priest in The Exorcist. It was done originally at the Public Theater in 1973, moved to Broadway, winning a Tony Award and the Pulitzer. It's too bad Miller passed away 10 years ago, because his son, Jason Patric (first seen in The Lost Boys movie) stars in this revival, along with his fellow Lost Boy Kiefer Sutherland (24), Chris Noth (Sex and the City), stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan, and veteran top-of-the-line actor, Brian Cox. It's a two-act drama about four men who were on a winning high school basketball team, who get together with their coach (Cox) every year for a reunion. Three of the players have gone on to adult success, one hasn't. Booze is consumed, tensions aroused. Gregory Mosher directs.
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St., (212) 239-6200. Tickets at telecharge.com. Previews Feb. 9, opens Mar. 6-May 29.
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
This is the stage version of the very popular movie of a few years ago, that has been wowing audiences in Australia, London and Toronto. There are 20 dance numbers to classic songs, fabulous costumes and high hairdos, and I feel good that Bette Midler is o nboard as one of the producers. The book is by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott; Simon Phillips directs and Ross Coleman is the choreographer. A beat up old bus is the featured prop, as it carries three friends (played by Tony Sheldon, Will Swenson and Nick Adams) across the Australian outback in an adventure that includes a lot of laughs, plenty of drag and a heartwarming ending.
The Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway, (877) 250-2929. Tickets at ticketmaster.com. Previews Feb. 28, opens Mar. 20.
BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO
This is a play by Rajiv Joseph that was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. Joseph's earlier play, Animals out of Paper, and his most-recent, Gruesome Playground Injuries, were well-received and talked about. Moises Kaufman, who co-created and directed The Laramie Project, is directing. But what should get people in the seats is that Robin Williams plays the tiger, and the tiger talks. There are six other actors in the cast, but the tiger is the focal point, as he haunts the streets of Baghdad, soon after the American invasion, talking to U.S. marines and an Iraqui gardener, seeking the meaning of life.
Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St., (212) 307-4100. Tickets at ticketmaster.com. Previews Mar. 11, opens Mar. 31.
