The top date at the theater for Valentine's Day must be enjoyable, engaging, and, above all, romantic. In short, a night at a musical fills the bill. Ranging from high drama to low comedy, five shows on Broadway now will make that special night even more special.
1. The Phantom of the Opera
Photo by Joan Marcus
A beautiful and talented young woman is passionately pursued by two men, each willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for her. What more could you want?!? For well over two decades, Broadway's longest-running musical has combined lush music, high drama, comedy, action, and a great love story.
It must be top of the list for romantic Valentine's dates.
2. South Pacific
A bright, small-town gal on an exotic island in time of war is ardently pursued by a handsome, mysterious Frenchman. They come from different worlds, but can their love survive differences in background and the dangers of battle? Well, of course it can!
South Pacific swept the Tony Awards when it premiered in 1949, and it's sweeping audiences away in the current Lincoln Center revival.
3. The Little Mermaid
Photo by Joan Marcus
Here's one for little girls of all ages. Ariel is the misunderstood mermaid princess, yearning for something more than life under the sea. She finds it after rescuing human Prince Eric from a shipwreck and falling in love. Risking everything for a chance at happiness out of water, can Ariel win Eric's heart before falling prey to the scheming squid Ursula?
Disney's animated-movie-turned-musical is just the thing for the little princesses in your life, but even grown-up girls go for this fish story.
4. Mamma Mia!
So far, we've had romance, drama, and adventure. Time to add in the fun. Mamma Mia! takes ABBA's irresistible music and wraps it around a romantic comedy. Sophie is about to get married on the Greek island where her single mom, Donna, raised her. But Sophie wants her father at the wedding. Trouble is, he could be one of three of Donna's former boyfriends. Sophie's solution? Simple, just invite them all.
Mamma Mia! is for the Valentine's Date who likes to laugh and lives to dance in the aisle.
5. Wicked
Photo by Paul Cozby
Wicked might not sound like a great romantic date, but this is one of Broadway's most successful shows with its story of female friendship based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Sure, there's a happy romantic ending, but audiences go to Wicked to laugh, cry, and, ultimately, cheer two gal friends who overcome their differences, their battles, and their circumstances to get what they each want and find the best in each other. You don't think that sounds like a good Valentine's Date?
A word to the wise: Buy your tickets early as this one regularly sells out. Just how successful is the show? The Empire State Building was turned green in honor of Wicked's fifth anniversary on Broadway!