The Bruce Springsteen effect has hit Broadway.
Producers Live Nation, The Araca Group and Entertainment Benefits Group will be bringing a series of artists to Broadway to play five to 10 shows at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre this summer. Under the banner title of “In Residence on Broadway,” the artists will play runs lasting between one to two weeks, with the series taking place from May through July.
Morrissey has already been announced to play the Lunt-Fontanne, taking up residency from May 2 to May 11. The other artists will be announced in coming weeks.
The producers cited the rise of “non-traditional” shows coming to Broadway as the impetus for the partnership. Besides “Springsteen on Broadway,” artists such as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and The Temptations and the Four Tops have played Broadway theaters, as well as special events such as “Rocktopia,” “The Illusionists” and ““Ruben & Clay’s First Annual Christmas Show.”
“Over the last few years on Broadway, we’ve seen non-traditional Broadway shows take center stage. In a time when shows other than musicals and plays are being presented, we started dreaming about bringing our favorite entertainers to Broadway,” said Matthew Rego, chief executive of The Araca Group.
The partnership was formed to bring “a variety of artists to Broadway venues multiple times each year,” according to the press release.
Each artist will have their own “customized stage experience,” said Scott Zeiger of EBG. “In Residence on Broadway” will keep the same design team throughout the run, with lighting designer Mike Baldassari and sound designers Peter Hylenski and Garth Helm.
Fifth Estate Entertainment is the general manager for the run.
