Broadway’s Spring 2025 Lineup: Waiting to Be Wowed

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

Every season, Broadway unveils a fresh lineup of shows, hoping to dazzle audiences with something new, unexpected, or just plain spectacular. And usually, I’m ready to dive in headfirst—excited to see how these productions push the boundaries of storytelling and stagecraft. But as I look at what’s coming this spring, I have to admit… I’m not exactly counting down the days.

That’s not to say there isn’t potential. There’s always potential. But rather than feeling immediate excitement, I find myself in a more reserved, wait-and-see mode. Maybe I’ll be blown away. Maybe I won’t. Either way, I’m open to being surprised.

Take Smash. Based on the cult-favorite TV show about the making of a Broadway musical, the show already comes with baggage. The series had its highs (Let Me Be Your Star is still a bop) and plenty of lows (a certain subplot involving a scarf-wearing songwriter comes to mind). Smash could finally live up to the promise it once had. Or it could feel like a nostalgia grab that tries too hard to please fans of the show while alienating those who never watched it.

Then there’s Boop! The Musical. Betty Boop is an icon, no doubt. But is she an icon in need of a full-fledged Broadway musical? The show has been in the works for years, boasting a jazzy, big-band score and some flashy visuals. The question is whether there’s enough depth to Betty’s story to make it compelling beyond the aesthetics.

Meanwhile, Just in Time takes on the life of Bobby Darin, with Jonathan Groff leading the charge. Jukebox musicals are always a gamble—they can either feel like a thrilling reinvention (Jersey Boys, Ain’t Too Proud) or a flimsy excuse to string songs together (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical). If they can tell Darin’s story in a way that feels organic rather than forced, I could see myself getting on board.

And then we have Stranger Things: The First Shadow. A prequel to the Netflix phenomenon, this play takes us to 1959 to explore the early days of Hawkins and its soon-to-be-haunted inhabitants. The upside? If done right, this could be an eerie, immersive theatrical experience. The downside? The world of Stranger Things is so driven by its visual effects and cinematic storytelling that translating it to the stage will require some serious ingenuity. I’m curious—but I’m not convinced.

So, where does that leave me? Cautiously optimistic. Theatre has a way of proving me wrong in the best way possible. I may not be clearing my schedule for these shows just yet, but I’m ready for at least one of them to win me over. And who knows? Maybe this season’s biggest revelation is hiding in plain sight.