The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation
Broadway Show In Development
The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation is in Development
The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation Summary
- Show Status: In Development
- Genre: Musical
- The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation is 2 hours long, including an intermission of 15 minutes
- 8 Shows per week
- Show Closes: Open ended
A chaotic Griswold family road trip to Broadway spirals into comedic disaster, blending movie nostalgia, meta theater humor, and satirical jabs at showbiz culture.
What's The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation Like?
Setup
Clark Griswold, an overenthusiastic family man inspired by the films starring Chevy Chase, becomes obsessed with giving his family the ultimate vacation—this time to Broadway.
Convinced it will be cultured and meaningful, he drags Ellen and the kids on a chaotic journey to New York City.
The Journey
Like the original Vacation story, everything goes wrong. The trip spirals through mishaps, wrong turns, and escalating disasters, with each stop turning into a comedic set piece. Along the way, the show layers in Broadway satire, mocking theater fans, ticket prices, and showbiz egos.
Arrival & Chaos
When the Griswolds finally reach Broadway, expectations collapse. Instead of a perfect theatrical experience, they encounter absurd backstage antics and exaggerated industry clichés, pushing the family to its limits.
Resolution
Despite the chaos, the Griswolds rediscover what matters—family over perfection—ending the trip with hard-earned (and hilarious) perspective.
Is The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation Good for Kids?
Generally suitable for older kids; mild adult humor and chaos may not suit younger audiences.
The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation on Broadway Background
Development
The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation is a new musical comedy based on the National Lampoon’s Vacation films (the Griswold family made famous by Chevy Chase).
It features a book, music, and lyrics by David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, with commercial production led by Ken Davenport. The project began with industry readings around 2019, designed to test material and attract investors.
World Premiere
The show had its first full production at 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle in September 2022. Directed and choreographed by Donna Feore, it starred Hunter Foster and Megan Reinking. The limited run served as an out-of-town tryout to refine the show.
Broadway Plans
The musical is intended for Broadway but has not yet secured a theater or dates. Producers continue development, typical of shows waiting for favorable timing and venue availability.
Producers
Ken Davenport
Creative Team
- Playwright
- David Rossmer
- Playwright
- Steve Rosen