The surprisingly successful world of Broadway musical reboots
The latest renditions of these classic musicals demonstrate just why they've had such long legs


A Broadway hit is no small feat.
More uncommon still is when a musical returns to the Great White Way years or decades after its premiere and, with an able assist from hindsight and fresh direction, becomes a success. Sometimes a success for the first time; sometimes an even bigger success than its debut.
This season's prime example: "Merrily We Roll Along," the legendary flop from the legendary musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim. But "Merrily" is just one of a group of musicals that have had new life breathed into them over time.
'Chicago'
This Jazz Age homage to the perils of celebrity was a modest hit when it debuted in 1975. It ran for more than two years and boasted star power from the likes of Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach, Liza Minnelli and Ann Reinking over the length of its run. And, of course, the bent-knee, spirit-fingered, dark-edged choreography of Bob Fosse was a powerful draw. No one would have guessed that 20 years later, in 1996, a concert revival would then move to Broadway — and still be running there in 2023. The current revival of "Chicago" is now the second-longest running show on Broadway, after "Phantom of the Opera." Being that "Phantom" closed recently, "Chicago" could knock the masked wonder from its first-place slot in the coming years.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Candide'
Leonard Bernstein wrote the rollicking, diverse score for this adaptation of Voltaire's satire by the same name. While Bernstein's "West Side Story" was a hit, "Candide" has always been a bit of a challenge to stage. But, oh, its fans have sure been trying to solve those problems with regular frequency since the operetta's debut production in 1956! The breathtaking finale of "Candide," "Make Your Garden Grow" is a fine example of Bernstein's sublime musicianship and why the show has long legs.
'Cabaret'
Like "Chicago" and also featuring a score by that show's same crack composing team, John Kander and Fred Ebb, "Cabaret" had a successful run during its debut in the late 1960s. The life the show about a few intimates in Weimar-era Germany has had in the ensuing decades, though, would make the main character, Sally Bowles, blush. There have been three Broadway revivals of "Cabaret," and the last revival in 2014 was itself a revival of a production from 1998. Ouroboros much? In early 2024, yet another production will land on Broadway. This latest will be a mounting of the acclaimed London revival of 2021, with Eddie Redmayne returning to his award-winning turn as the Emcee.
'Anything Goes'
This rowdy, clever show from composer Cole Porter was a modest hit in 1934. Blame the Great Depression for it only running for 420 performances. Nonetheless, "Anything Goes" has had quite the run over the last nearly 90 years: two Broadway revivals, four West End productions and three film adaptations. Seems audiences have an endless demand for the female lead Reno Sweeney, the show's romantic-comedy hijinks and the tap-dancing chorus numbers.
'Merrily We Roll Along'
The score for this told-in-reverse tale of failed dreams and youthful idealism has always been one of the most beloved in the Broadway canon. By those who know, who were far too few, because the original production ran for a scant 16 performances. Until the 2023 Broadway revival, that is. Daniel Radcliffe, Lindsay Mendez and Jonathan Groff play the trio at the heart of the current revival, and director Maria Friedman's keen eye proves that every musical might have its savior in its very own DNA. This "Merrily" is a monster hit, giving the show the tear-inducing redemption it has always deserved.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Scott Hocker is an award-winning freelance writer and editor at The Week Digital. He has written food, travel, culture and lifestyle stories for local, national and international publications for more than 20 years. Scott also has more than 15 years of experience creating, implementing and managing content initiatives while working across departments to grow companies. His most recent editorial post was as editor-in-chief of Liquor.com. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of Tasting Table and a senior editor at San Francisco magazine.
-
Music reviews: Chance the Rapper, Cass McCombs, and Molly Tuttle
Feature "Star Line," "Interior Live Oak," and "So Long Little Miss Sunshine"
-
Film reviews: Eden and Honey Don't!
Feature Seekers of a new utopia spiral into savagery and a queer private eye prowls a high-desert town
-
Critics' choice: Three chefs fulfilling their ambitions
Feature Kwame Onwuachi's grand second act, Travis Lett makes a comeback, and Jeff Watson's new Korean restaurant
-
5 of the best platonic TV friendships
the week recommends Maintaining boundaries has proven tricky for all but the most committed of buddies on the small screen
-
A guide to the Great Wall of China
The Week Recommends Experience this architectural feat
-
8 hotels with ace tennis courts
The Week Recommends Bring your A game
-
The 5 best zombie movies of all time
The Week Recommends Ghouls feasting on flesh have been a staple of cinema for more than 50 years
-
7 travel fragrances that let you smell good on the go
The Week Recommends Spritz away!
-
Conservatism is rising. Just look at the music.
In the spotlight The radio reflects American culture
-
A guide to Budapest's healing thermal baths
The Week Recommends There's a reason why it's called the City of Spas
-
Every MCU movie since 'Avengers: Endgame,' ranked
The Week Recommends How did the recent 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' stack up?