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King Kong 2018

Run Time:
Two hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission
Ages: 8+
Opened: November 8, 2018
Closing: August 18, 2019

King Kong - 2018 Broadway History , Info & More

Broadway Theatre (Broadway)
1681 Broadway New York, NY

The epic modern myth comes alive on Broadway through an innovative mix of animatronics, puppetry, music and stagecraft! It's 1931, the world is in the grip of the Great Depression, and New York City is a place of pressure, of desperation, but also of hope. Enter Ann Darrow, a fearless young actress with a will of steel and dreams that reach as high as the just-completed Empire State Building. After a brutal struggle just to stay on her feet, Ann finds her big break in the form of Carl Denham, a fast-talking filmmaker who promises to make her the star of his next big adventure movie. Throwing caution to the winds, she joins Carl on a voyage to the mysterious Skull Island. There, they encounter a wonder more astonishing than they could have possibly imagined: a 20-foot-tall, 2,000-pound ape known only as Kong.

To her surprise, Ann finds an unexpected kindred spirit in this magnificent, untameable creature. But when Carl hatches a plan to capture Kong and display him to the New York masses, she's faced with a terrible choice. Will Ann follow the call of her own ambition? Or can she find the strength to stand up for what's right? Roaring with heart-pounding action, KING KONG is a gripping and spectacular story of unlikely friendship, unshakable courage, and breaking free from the cages others put us in.

Directed and choreographed by Olivier winner Drew McOnie, KING KONG features an electrifying new score by Marius de Vries (La La Land) and Eddie Perfect (Beetlejuice The Musical), and a book by Jack Thorne, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning writer of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Don't miss this exhilarating, emotional encounter with a legend that's always been too big to contain.

"You've never seen anything like King Kong on stage. Ever." (Entertainment Weekly).


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PREVIEW King Kong - 2018 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR King Kong

Review: 'King Kong,' a giant animatronic ape with soulful eyes, crashes down on Broadway
3 / 10

Just how horrifying is the new show? It has turned a self-respecting drama critic into a screaming Fay Wray. No, I'm not really afraid of being mauled to death by a giant ape in midtown Manhattan. But I am terrified of the monstrous concoction that has been cooked up in the international laboratory of mercenary producers eager to remake Broadway in the image of Barnum & Bailey.

King Kong
4 / 10

The truly frustrating thing about King Kong is the waste of it all. Why did it this story, whose central figure necessarily cannot sing, need to be a musical at all, much less one that suggests a late-run Simpsons parody? Have the success of War Horse and Thorne's own Harry Potter and the Cursed Child-and the bellyflops of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and Cirque du Soleil's Paramour-taught us nothing? King Kong looks down on its huckster villain, film director Carl (Eric William Morris, overplaying an unplayable role), for taking an awesome creature and surrounding it with mediocrity for a gawking New York audience-but that's exactly what this production does itself. In the sad eyes of the second act's chained and stooped Kong, you see flickers of a show that might have been.

BWW Flashback: KING KONG Takes Final Broadway Bow
by Paul Smith - August 18, 2019


As BroadwayWorld previously reported, King Kong will play its final performance today, August 18, 2019 following 324 performances and 29 previews at the Broadway Theatre. Before he climbs the Empire State Building for the final time, take a look at the Broadway journey of King Kong.

Photo Coverage: KING KONG Celebrates 300th Performance on Broadway
by Jennifer Broski - August 1, 2019


The award-winning new musical King Kong played its 300th performance on Broadway on Wednesday, July 31 at the matinee. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out the photos below!

Breaking: KING KONG Will Close on Broadway This Summer
by Alan Henry - June 25, 2019


The award-winning new musical King Kong will play its final Broadway performance on August 18, 2019 following 324 performances and 29 previews at the Broadway Theatre.

VIDEO: Get to Know the Voice Behind KING KONG
by Linnae Medeiros - June 21, 2019


The company of King Kong is bringing the show's larger-than-life puppet to the stage eight times a week at the Broadway Theatre, including Jon Hoche, who voices the gorilla live each night for every roar, grunt, snort and growl. Fox 5 recently sat down with Hoche to get a peek behind the scenes and to chat all about what it's like bringing this icon to life. Check out the full video!

KING KONG To Take Over Shanghai In Asian Premiere Production
by Julie Musbach - June 17, 2019


King Kong is taking the show to new heights with an upcoming run in Shanghai opening in 2021.

Photo Coverage: KING KONG Receives Kong Sized 2019 Special Achievement Outer Critics Circle Award!
by Monroe George - May 23, 2019


Last night, cast members from King Kong, as well as Kong himself, received a 2019 Special Achievement Outer Critic Circle Award for their thrilling work on the production.

VIDEO: LIVE WITH KELLY AND RYAN Goes Behind the Scenes of Broadway's KING KONG
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 14, 2019


On Tuesday's episode of Broadway Week on 'Live with Kelly and Ryan,' Ryan goes behind the scenes of Broadway's 'King Kong.' He sits down with the show's star Christani Pitts, works with the 'King's Company' puppeteers, and even gets up close and personal with Kong himself!

KING KONG Technical Malfunction Cancels Matinee Performance Mid-Show
by Stephi Wild - April 28, 2019


During yesterday's matinee performance of King Kong, a technical malfunction caused the show to stop abruptly, and ultimately be cancelled.

KING KONG Releases Tickets Through January 12
by Stephi Wild - April 15, 2019


A new block of tickets has been released for Broadway's King Kong. Now on sale through January 12, 2020, King Kong is playing at the Broadway Theatre where it opened on Thursday, November 8 (previews began October 5, 2018).

Over 2,000 NYC Students To Go Behind the Scenes At KING KONG On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - March 12, 2019


On Thursday, March 28 leading NYC arts education nonprofit Inside Broadway and the groundbreaking Broadway production of KING KONG will present a special Creating the Magic program offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Broadway featuring the KING KONG cast & production crew.

Photo Coverage: King of Broadway! NYC Celebrates KING KONG With Street Naming!
by Jennifer Broski - March 6, 2019


This afternoon, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio stopped by the Broadway Theatre to celebrate the new King of Broadway, King Kong! After a special appearance at the curtain call, Mayor de Blasio joined the company outside for a ceremonial street re-naming.

NYC Mayor's Office Names King Kong Court Outside The Broadway Theatre
by Stephi Wild - March 1, 2019


In celebration of the 86th anniversary of the iconic original film of King Kong, the New York City Mayor's Office will recognize the Broadway musical King Kong and its contribution to the culture of New York City by declaring the area outside of the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street) King Kong Court with a ceremonial street renaming on Wednesday, March 6.

VIDEO: Watch the All New TV Spot For KING KONG
by Stephi Wild - February 19, 2019


King Kong has just dropped an all new TV spot! The commercial features footage from the show, including, of course, the iconic puppet.

Photo Coverage: KING KONG Celebrates 100 Performances on Broadway!
by Jennifer Broski - February 6, 2019


Today, King Kong on Broadway celebrated one hundred Broadway performances! See Christiani Pitts, Eric William Morris, and the rest of the company celebrating below!

KING KONG Sets its Sights on a Japanese Resort
by Stephi Wild - February 6, 2019


King Kong is currently taking Broadway by storm, but it appears to have its sights set on new land.

BWW Interview: Erik Lochtefeld Takes His Lumps in a Jaw-Dropping KING KONG
by Naomi Serviss - December 27, 2018


You've never seen a Kong like this, but there's more at play than Beast Meets Girl in the latest incarnation of the 1930s classic.

Tickets for KING KONG Now On Sale Through September 1, 2019
by Julie Musbach - December 20, 2018


Tickets for King Kong are now on sale through September 1, 2019. The new Broadway musical is playing at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway) where it opened on Thursday, November 8 (previews began October 5, 2018).

Photo Flash: NYCCHP Treats 800 Homeless Children to KING KONG
by Marika O'Hara - December 6, 2018


On December 4, The New York City Children's Holiday Party brought nearly 800 children from 38 different homeless shelters to experience the epic musical King Kong. After the performance, each child received gifts and a backpack with educational supplies and departed the show with a merry send-off from Santa Claus.

VIDEO: Christiani Pitts, Drew McOnie, and More Discuss the Magic of KING KONG
by Stephi Wild - December 1, 2018


King Kong may have the most talked-about puppet on the Great White Way, but a recent feature on CBS is breaking down just what makes this show so magical.

VIDEO: Watch King Kong on the Thanksgiving Day Parade!
by Robert Diamond - November 22, 2018


Roar! Watch King Kong perform on this morning's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

KING KONG Announces Digital Lottery
by Stephi Wild - November 16, 2018


King Kong has announced that it will have a digital lottery!

TV: KING KONG Celebrates Opening Night in a Big Way!
by TV - Opening Night Special - November 9, 2018


Just last night, one of the biggest characters in Broadway history made his debut at one of Broadway's biggest theatres. The stars came out last night at the Broadway Theatre as King Kong celebrated opening night!

King Kong History

Other Productions of King Kong

2018   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

King Kong - 2018 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2019 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Projection Design Peter England
2019 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Puppet Design Sonny Tilders
2019 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical King Kong
2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Peter Mumford
2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Projection Design Peter England
2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Sound Design Peter Hylenski
2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards Special Achievement Awards Sonny Tilders
2019 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Peter Mumford
2019 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Musical Peter England
2019 Tony Awards Best Sound Design of a Musical Peter Hylenski
2019 Tony Awards Special Tony Awards Sonny Tilders

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