Jan 11, 2019



“Broadway’s Next Hit Musical,” an unscripted theatrical awards show that directly involves its audience, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at St. Bonaventure University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

This is the fifth presentation in the Friends of Good Music 2018-2019 performance series.

“‘Broadway’s Next Hit Musical’ has quite literally become the big hit touring all across the country to sold-out audiences,” said Ludwig Brunner, executive director of the Quick Center. “With the audience’s participation, this promises to be a most entertaining evening for all. I would recommend that audience members arrive early to partake in the song selections.”

You’ve heard of the Tony Awards? “Broadway’s Next Hit Musical” is the Phony Awards.

Hailed by critics as both “hilarious” and “brilliant,” and described by the Time Out New York as “a musical of, for, and by the people,” the show lets the audience set the direction of each performance. Audience members write down made-up song titles, the suggestions are rounded up, and the improvisation begins, with the cast presenting each “nominated song” for the coveted award.

The production company provides this description on its website: “We create spontaneous scenes and songs filled with great dancing, catchy melodies, and tons of laughter. The audience votes for their favorite song and watches as the cast turns that song into a full-blown improvised musical, complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and plot twists galore. Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different.”

“Broadway’s Next Hit Musical,” under the direction of improv veterans Rob Schiffmann and Deb Rabbai, has been staged throughout the United States and in New York City at The Triad Theater, The Tribeca Film Festival, and The New York Musical Theater Festival, among many other locations. 

This performance is partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grant Program supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and administered by the Tri-County Arts Council.

Single tickets are $20 at full price, $16 for senior citizens and St. Bonaventure employees, and $5 for students. For tickets and information, call The Quick Center at (716) 375-2494.

For each Friends of Good Music performance, The Quick Center will open its galleries one hour before the performance and keep them open throughout the intermission. Regular gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Museum admission is free and open to the public year round. For more information, visit www.sbu.edu/quickcenter.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things. St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.