News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Starlight Express 1987

Opened: March 15, 1987
Closing: January 08, 1989

Starlight Express - 1987 Broadway History , Info & More

Gershwin Theatre (Broadway)
222 West 51st St. New York, NY

The storyline: It is evening and a mother reminds her small child to put his toy-trains away and to go to bed. In the child's dream, the locomotives come alive: It is the night of the world championships for locomotives.



The young steam locomotive Rusty, charming but definitely no longer technically up to date, appears to stand no chance against its more modern challengers, such as the macho Greaseball. This self-confident diesel locomotive rocks like Elvis and conquers the hearts of its many female fans. When Electra, an ultra-modern e-locomotive, suddenly makes its appearance, the situation seems hopeless for the young steam locomotive. Beautiful Pearl, a 1st-class coach, leaves Rusty for Electra.



Three, two, one- go! The flags come down, the lights flash and the helmets sparkle. Locomotives and their coaches are hurtling along the tracks at lightning speed. The conflict between the trains comes to a climax, since the methods used to win this international race are not always fair. Suddenly it appears, the legendary "Starlight Express", like a fiery comet's tail in the sky. The night is full of glittering stars as Rusty finds out what is most important in life: believing in yourself. He finds new courage to enter the finale - and Pearl begins to understand who her true love belongs to...


Get Starlight Express Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Theater Stories: WICKED, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, SWEENEY TODD, The Theater Hall of Fame & More About The Gershwin Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 28, 2021


Today's Theater Stories features the Gershwin Theatre! Learn about the theatre's longest running show, Wicked; the extravagant production of Starlight Express; the Theater Hall of fame featuring theater's biggest names, and more!

Broadway Manager, Producer and BC/EFA Activist Peter Neufeld Passes Away at 78
by BWW News Desk - Jan 27, 2015


A successful Broadway company manager, general manager and producer for more than 20 years, Peter Neufeld passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson's disease this morning, January 27, 2015, at The Actors Fund's Lillian Booth Residence in Englewood, NJ, where he had been living since 2007. He was 78.

Local Politician, TV and Radio Personalities To Perform In Morris Park's ANNIE 11/5-20
by BWW News Desk - Nov 20, 2010


Morris Park Players Community Theatre proudly opens its 10-11 season with the Broadway musical monster-hit Annie, November 5, 6, 12, 19, 20 at 7:30 pm and November 13 and 14 at 2:00 pm at their new home of Thomas Edison High School Auditorium.

Local Politician, TV and Radio Personalities To Perform In Morris Park's ANNIE 11/5-20
by Gabrielle Sierra - Nov 5, 2010


Morris Park Players Community Theatre proudly opens its 10-11 season with the Broadway musical monster-hit Annie, November 5, 6, 12, 19, 20 at 7:30 pm and November 13 and 14 at 2:00 pm at their new home of Thomas Edison High School Auditorium.

Starlight Express History

Other Productions of Starlight Express

1984   West End Original London Production
West End
1987   Broadway Broadway Production
Broadway
2024   West End
West End

Starlight Express - 1987 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1987 The Hewes Awards Costume Design John Napier
1987 Tony Awards Best Choreography Arlene Phillips
1987 Tony Awards Best Costume Design John Napier
1987 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Trevor Nunn
1987 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design David Hersey
1987 Tony Awards Best Musical Martin Starger
1987 Tony Awards Best Musical Lord Grade
1987 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Andrew Lloyd Webber
1987 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Richard Stilgoe
1987 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Robert Torti

Videos