TicketNetwork Blog

Now that we're into January, the infamous doldrums of Broadway theatre, a new set of shows is ready to take the stage on the Great White Way over the next few months. So I rounded up a few bloggers to get their predictions for the upcoming season...and then I threw mine in for good measure.

The Columnist: "John Lithgow stars in this play based on the life of Joseph Alsop, a famous columnist during the 1960s. John Lithgow has had some pretty big successes on Broadway, including two Tony Awards, so this should be pretty good." — me

Death of a Salesman: “Seeing the revival of a classic play is always a treat, but seeing it with an all-star cast is a rare delight. Death of a Salesman is returning to Broadway this year starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Andrew Garfield and John Glover. Their names, along with the popular play, will be sure to draw in audiences.” — Melissa Hall, Stage Write Indy

With the holiday season over, we are now into January, which is notoriously a slow month for Broadway shows. Consequently, many shows choose to avoid the month altogether and close up shop. We've already seen several shows end their runs, including Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway, The Addams Family, Private Lives and Bonnie & Clyde.

There are several more shows closing in January, but you still have a chance to catch them on Broadway before they go on tour or just fall by the wayside. Check out the table below for closing dates and average ticket prices on the TicketNetwork exchange* for remaining dates.

*As of 1/4/2012 2:30 p.m. EST. Prices may fluctuate based on market demand.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and soon a lot of people will be looking to get into the spirit by visiting spectacular displays of lights and decorations like those in New York's Rockefeller Center, watching classic Christmas movies, and planning all kinds of other activities with a holiday theme.

Why not add a theater show or concert to your list? There are plenty of great productions coming up, so if you're looking to get out of the house (or the cold), you have plenty of options. Here are ten of the best: five concerts and five theater shows.

Concerts

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas songs played in a rock opera style with a laser light show. Can you really ask for more? I don't think you can. TSO has become an annual holiday tradition like no other. It's well worth it to see them, and there are two tours running simultaneously, so there's plenty of opportunity to do so. TSO runs until December 30.

Mannheim Steamroller

Originally known for their new age-inspired instrumentals, Mannheim Steamroller is now better known for their Christmas music. So if you're looking for Christmas classics with a new age twist, Mannheim is your band! Like TSO, Mannheim is running two tours at the same time and also plays until December 30.

Boston Pops

Made up of members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops play a series of Holiday Pops shows every year. This year the Holiday Pops shows run from December 7 – 11. There are also pops orchestras with holiday shows in many other cities, so if you're not from or traveling to Boston, be sure to find one near you.

October's almost here, and that means that the new Broadway season is really starting to kick into gear. There are a lot of new shows hitting the Great White Way this fall, and some are sure to be great hits, while others...not so much. I asked several sites that deal with theatre to comment on what they're most looking forward to, what will be amazing, and what will do a giant belly-flop in the middle of Broadway. Shows are presented in alphabetical order for your convenience.

• An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin: “[This show] takes the talents of two seasoned performers and presents them in an irresistible way. The duo has proven its talent and this show should be no exception.” — Melissa Hall, Stage Write Indy
• Bonnie & Clyde: “…could be a break out hit, or a disaster like Wonderland – we will have to see. The critics infamously hate Frank Wildhorn (the composer), but the cast is fantastic and the director great! I'm looking forward to seeing what this one is all about.” — Spencer Williams, The Broadway Critic

Cirque du Soleil has a history of creating shows around specific themes, including musical artists like The Beatles. In that vein, they've designed a brand-new spectacle to honor Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, in Michael Jackson The Immortal. Buzz has been building for over a year, but the tour's finally about to launch! See below for a full list of current scheduled dates, and check out the Michael Jackson The Immortal tickets page for future updates.

Are you going to see the show near you? Or would you rather spend your money on a different show? Tell us in the comments!