arts&life theater Anastasia Charlie and the Chocolate Factory PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY Sunset Boulevard Dear Evan Hansen PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY PHOTO BY JULIETA CERVANTES PHOTO BY NICK WALL Hello, Dolly! Broadway In Springtime ALICE BURDICK SCHWEIGER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS Heading to the Big Apple? Add these hot shows to your must- see list, many with a Jewish connection. 122 May 25 • 2017 ON BROADWAY 1984 is a new adaptation of George Orwell’s iconic novel 1984, published in 1949. The story of government employee Winston Smith, under the watchful eye of Big Brother, introduced to America ideas about government and power never before considered. The show opens June 22. At the Hudson Theatre. (212) 239-6200. Anastasia, based on the 1956 and 1997 20th Century Fox films, features a new musical score. From the Russian Empire to Paris in the 1920s, a brave young woman attempts to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer, she enlists the aid of an endear- ing con man and together they embark on an adventure to find jn her home and family. Music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Book by Terrance McNally. At the Broadhurst Theatre. (212) 239-6200. Bandstand, a high-energy musical, features big-band rhythms of the 1940s. It tells the story about a group of soldiers returning home from World War II. They form a band and enter a national radio contest look- ing to find America’s next big swing band, hoping for a chance at instant fame. Sound design by Nevin Steinberg (Dear Evan Hanson, Hamilton, Bright Star). At the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. (212) 239-6200. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory invites theatergoers to experience Willy Wonka’s magi- cal semi-dark chocolate world. Little Charlie and four other kids win a contest and are given a tour of the chocolate factory led by Willy (played by Christian Borle). Based on the 1964 novel by Roald Dahl, it was a film in 1971 starring Gene Wilder, and a film in 2005 starring Johnny Depp. John Rubinstein (son of pianist Arthur Rubinstein) plays the grandfather. In this stage production, the book is by David Greig, music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and lyrics also by Scott Wittman. At the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. (800) 982-2787. Come from Away, based on a true story, follows a group of travelers whose planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, on Sept. 11, 2001. The townspeople of Gander open up their hearts and homes to accommodate the stranded travelers. One of the passengers is a rabbi who cre- ates a kosher kitchen while they are there. This moving, terrific show has garnered seven Tony nominations. Twelve talented actors play multiple roles. Music and lyrics by the husband-and- wife team Irene Sankoff and David Hein. At the Schoenfeld Theatre. (212) 239-6200. Dear Evan Hansen, a brilliant, contemporary, bittersweet musi- cal, earned nine Tony nomina- tions. A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have — high-school student Evan Hansen finally fits in and is thrust into social media after a