2019 in Review: The Best of Broadway (and Off-Broadway) Media

Next up in our 2019 in Review series is a look at what we think were the best in Broadway-related media. From logos to marquees to recordings and online presence, we weigh in on 21 categories. Over the past calendar year, we saw 23 shows: 16 on Broadway, 3 off-Broadway and 4 regional productions. They were Assassins (regional - Signature  Theater), A Chorus Line (regional - Signature Theater),Be More Chill, Beetlejuice, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Fun Home (regional - Baltimore Center Stage), Grand Hotel: The Musical Assassins (regional - Signature Theater), Hadestown, Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, King Lear, Little Shop of Horrors (off-Broadway), Merrily We Roll Along (off-Broadway), Moulin Rouge!, Oklahoma!, Puffs (off-Broadway), The Cher Show, The Lightning Thief, The Phantom of the Opera, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Tootsie.

As always, please feel free to share your thoughts, disagreements and your own favorites! (Contact us via the addresses above.) Be sure to check out the other columns in this year-end review by tapping the tab above, too!

2019 in Review:

The Best of Broadway (and Off-Broadway)

Media

ONLINE

Best Show Website: Moulin Rouge! (HERE)

Best Twitter Account: @LTMusical The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

• As an online media presence becomes more and more crucial to a show's success, these shows have shown how to do it right. Moulin Rouge!'s website is ever evolving, with consistently gorgeous images (plus, it is super easy to navigate). 
• The Lightning Thief's Twitter account is funny, knows its audience, never panders to the lowest common denominator, and, above all else, is kind.

TRADITIONAL MEDIA

 

Best Theater Book: Come From Away: Welcome to the Rock

Best Cast Recording: Hadestown - Original Broadway Cast Recording

Best Trend in Traditional Media: Issuing cast recordings on vinyl

• That book takes Broadway coffee table books to a new level - crammed with fan-centric material, production history and context, and tons of production photos. But it also is sharply focused, well-organized, and doesn't try to do too much.
• This cast recording succeeds in any platform, and not just because of its superior content (one of the best scores of the decade). It's the quality of its digital release, the wonderful CD booklet, and the amazing box set quality of its vinyl release.
• Love the cool things they are doing with vinyl recordings. It is both retro and modern. More, please.

  

Best Window Card - Musical (TIE): The Cher Show and Moulin Rouge!

• Not only is their show art exceptional, but there are two posters to choose from... or you get both....

 

Best Window Card - Play: To Kill a Mockingbird

Best Window Card - Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors

Best Window Card - Digital: Moulin Rouge! Opening Night Poster

Best Playbill: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

• The poster for TKAM conveys the gravity of the piece, while the striking colors make it an instant, if understated, classic. These days, being less bombastic really makes you rise above the din.
• Little Shop of Horrors' window card offers a modern take on its original poster. Here again, the clean presentation makes the important message stand out. But what takes the cake is the subtle shadow of the plant. Look closer.
• I would love it if this digital opening night poster was actually printed. It is beautiful!
• A classy, glamorous and exciting lady inspires this show and its logo. And it looks wonderful under the classic Playbill yellow banner.

ADVERTISING/MERCHANDISE

Best Broadway Commercial: Moulin Rouge!

Best Special Broadway Video: Hadestown - "From Hadestown, with Love"

     

     

Best Logo - Long-Running Show: The Phantom of the Opera

Best Logo - Broadway Event: Broadway Bares: Take Off

Best Logo - Off-Broadway: Scotland, PA

Best Logo - Musical: Moulin Rouge!

Best Tagline: Hadestown  - "Come See How the World Could Be"

• The longest running show in Broadway history never rests on its laurels. They've freshened their classic logo, and it is as vibrant as the production it represents.
• No one does on the nose themeing better than the folks at Broadway Bares.
• Macbeth set in a fast-food place. Perfect image. I'll never look at a ketchup packet the same way again.
• If there was ever a time when a tagline that can inspire was needed, it is now. It's optimism is heartwarming. And the show delivers on that promise.

Best Theatre Marquee: The Al Hirschfeld Theatre - Moulin Rouge!
Best Merchandise Item: Moulin Rouge! - Set of 4 shot glasses
Mike's Magnet of the Year Award: Dear Evan Hansen - Acrylic Shirt Shape

• Let's face it, when it comes to visuals, Moulin Rouge! has raised the bar in every way, and that includes the theatre itself. And it looks even better in the dark. How about that post-show bus??!!
• Lots of shows have shot glasses, but this set of four is perfect for those absinthe shots.
• Mike is our resident magnet connoisseur. He has a massive collection, and if a show has one, he has one. His favorite of 2019 is the very cool Dear Evan Hansen shirt shaped one. 

Best Overall Campaign: Beetlejuice: The Musical

• It really seems to be working, despite its recent closing announcement. Heck, I didn't really care for the show, but its is all visually appealing and perfect in its cleverness. And you have to appreciate a cast who is willing to learn new lyrics for every situation. I'll miss it.

#2229