Reasons To Get Excited; Broadway's December Openings

November was a busy month on Broadway with five new productions making lots of joyful noise. Only four shows will be opening in December but this powerhouse lineup looks no less exciting.

CHINA DOLL (December 4th): Sure, eyebrows were raised when CHINA DOLL's November opening was pushed into December, but we all know art isn't easy. No matter what, a brand new David Mamet play written especially for Al Pacino and directed by Pam Mackinnon has the potential to be something thrilling.

SCHOOL OF ROCK (December 6th): The buzz around the Winter Garden is that Alex Brightman is giving a breakout performance as the down-but-not-out rocker who forms a band with his tween students. Andrew Lloyd Webber is back in the rebellious mode of his younger days and he's got his dazzling PHANTOM soprano, Sierra Boggess, as the uptight teacher who eventually loosens up. This one sounds like a blast.

THE COLOR PURPLE (December 10th): It's been a little over eight years since THE COLOR PURPLE completed its initial 900+ performance run on Broadway. Director John Doyle's intimate production originated at London's acclaimed Menier Chocolate Factory, which has sent Broadway re-thought productions of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Expect some glorious singing when Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson joins British star Cynthia Erivo and ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK's Danielle Brooks.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (December 20th): After SOUTH PACIFIC and THE KING AND I, Bartlett Sher has become to the go-to guy for directing classic musicals with an eye toward bringing out the dramatic colors of the text. Outstanding Broadway character man Danny Burstein is the top star this time, playing the hard-working dairyman Tevye who must adjust to a changing world with his loyal wife, Golde, played by the terrific Jessica Hecht. Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shecter, a big name in contemporary dance, takes his first shot at musical theatre.

Broadway traditionally slows down a bit during January and February, but, as we've seen recently with THE HUMANS and ECLIPSED, you never know when a play on few people's radar will open to raves and suddenly get announce for the Main Stem.