By Jennifer Trend, Staff Writer
With musicals on the rise, here are some popular Broadway musicals that are on tour in California! Of course, you can always check https://www.broadway.org/tours for both shows and musicals.
“Wicked”
Based off the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel (which was in turn based off of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”), it follows the life of Galinda and Elphaba’s story before and after Baum’s story. Though the two are on opposite sides of the coin, they create an unlikely friendship- where they perhaps disagree more on love interests and the government than they do agree.
Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, currently playing until Jan 27.
“Hamilton”
A recount of founding father Alexander Hamilton’s life, this musical gives insight into his life, accomplishments and death. Through a combination of hip hop, rap, soul and many other music types, viewers get an entertaining history lesson of colonial America and the struggles it and Hamilton went through.
Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco, Feb 12 through Sept 8.
“Aladdin”
Created after the Disney animated movie, it follows an orphan thief in Agrabah that gains access to a genie in a lamp.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, March 6 through March 23. Sacramento Community Center Theater, May 15 through June 2. San Diego Civic Theatre, Feb 20 through March 3. San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, April 10 through April 21.
“Les Miserables”
Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, the musical is a story of French peasant Jean Valjean who has just been freed from 19 years of prison for stealing bread and attempting to escape. It follows the revolutionary era of France and the struggles citizen went through.
Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, May 7 through June 2.
“Phantom of the Opera”
Based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux, the musical follows the story of soprano Christine Daaé, who is haunted by a mysterious disembodied figure that lives under the Paris Opera House.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, July 10 through July 21.
